About Last Night

Last night's mayoral debate was a fairly even performance between the two candidates. It wasn't Lisa Wong's best performance, but it was Tom Donnelly's.

Donnelly needed an absolute victory, and he didn't get it. His supporters seem energized and optimistic, though, feeling like there's some momentum building in the homestretch. That might be some campaign spin, but it was spin that wasn't being spun a few weeks ago. But a nice victory would have helped that feeling of momentum.

On the issues, there was little new ground tread, but there were a few interesting tidbits. Wong's desire to improve school safety immediately was somewhat eye-opening. Considering the beating they've taken lately, both candidates defended enterprise funds as viable options. Both were a little confused as to whether a repeal of tax protection for Verizon would mean increased tax levy for the city, or only a reshuffling.

Also interesting: Donnelly saying property taxes have nothing to do with foreclosures. As consistent readers know, Donnelly held a property-tax event outside a house being auctioned off. Kind of strange. He said, however, that holding the line on property taxes was the point, and illustrates the priority of the city to do that.

Throughout the campaign, Donnelly has shown a certain detachment toward the schools. That came through again when a school question about a specific early priority (Wong answered school safety) sent Donnelly scurrying into his prepared statements on schools. As he read through it, he stumbled on technology as an area for early intervention, but it reinforced the feeling that he doesn't a firm grasp on the school system, and relies on that standby answer (which we've pretty much heard before). Considering it's about half the city's budget, it's a weak spot that hasn't strengthened much in recent months.

Also, interesting Donnelly was trumpeting Destare last night (and, according to The Unicow, hanging out there last night). He's welcomed Destare to the city, but has also dismissed it as a "wine bar."

You have to wonder how the fiscal conservatives feel about Wong's stronger affinity for a meal's tax. Donnelly didn't outright reject it, but came pretty close. Wong said she wants to study it, but the feeling I got was she thinks it might be a good idea. Chances are current restaurant owners aren't going to love that one.

Donnelly had two choices last night: Give a spirited, honest effort, go absolutely bombastically negative. He stayed true to himself and gave a spirited, honest effort. And it was a good one. He needed a win last night, but didn't get it. But he didn't lose, either. For him, it was a good, strong night. He gets one more chance next Thursday. To have a chance of winning, he needs to do even better then, but he's been getting better as the debates have gone on. If he is building momentum as his campaign claims, last night was a good one for Donnelly.