What’s he talking about?

Went there…still not sure what he’s talking about. I guess he’s upset because the Presidential candidates aren’t campaigning as if they are running for Mayor?

uh-oh

I lost the kudos of the Scene’s “Best Political Blogger”

might as well give up writing about politics altogether

Mike,

Or you could just explain yourself better instead of complaining about the Scene’s award process.

Some Metro Mayors are the ones trying to get the presidential candidates to hear the issues.

Those folk more interested in understanding a federal approach to urban issues that candidates should be talking about (and less interested in shilling for a particular candidate), can check out mayor.tv. You don’t have to run for mayor or even be a mayor to advocate for urban issues.

I guess I’m left wondering what you’re hoping to hear. There’s some substantial disputes over the role that the federal government should/can play in repairing urban infrastructure and solving local problems — what’s your position on this. Also, we’re engaged in a very costly war — whatever your position on that war, it’s undeniable that there just isn’t going to be a lot of money to invest in domestic programs even if there was public will to support them. Given the economic realities we’re looking at, what are the most critical policies or programs you want to see the feds advance? By what mechanism should the money/programs go from the fed level to the local?

I don’t know, Obama’s plan seems to address some of these “urban issues”.

Is the problem that he “doesn’t talk about it” or emphasize it enough?

If you are upset that they pander to small towns…I’m with you there Mike (except for the upset part), I don’t like this emphasis on small town yokels myself either. But Obama spent the vast majority of his time campaigning in urban areas in Pennsylvania (Scranton, Pittsburgh, Phili) and other states…it just so happens the media likes to focus on rural white voters because they can’t resist a live remote from a small town diner.