Wong Turns Toward Fiscal Fitness

In about an hour, Lisa Wong is officially mayor. If yesterday's inaugural speech was any indication, Wong will buckle up hope and optimism in the backseat, and will have financial business riding shotgun as she gets behind the wheel of the city's family roadster.

Yesterday's speech struck on her themes of community involvement early and late, but the main thrust of the speech was the city's financial situation, and her "fiscal fitness" course she is ready to run the city through.

The fact that she thinks the city can be in better financial shape by July 2009 -- a timeframe she mentioned as the halfway point for the fitness course and the end of her first full budget cycle as mayor -- is hopeful and optimistic for most. Perhaps too hopeful for the receivership crowd.

But missing from yesterday's speech was some (most) of the swing-from-the-heels fire that propelled Wong to victory in the fall. Think back to the desire that bordered on anger at the last debate before the preliminary election. Think back to the constant barrage of optimism that Wong rode through October and into the general election. Much of that was missing yesterday.

She was certainly nervous yesterday, that was evident. And maybe being mayor means a little more moderation than running for mayor. But yesterday was lacking some of the bounce of the last few months of her campaign.

That said, while the tone and wrapping was different, the message was the same. Wong wants to reshape the budget process and the fundamental formula for budgeting the city's money. She wants to make the city viable to business development for companies near and (very) far. She wants to tap into the community and turn some of the enthusiasm generated by her campaign into energy and effort into the city.

Yesterday wasn't a soaring, "grab 'em by the throat" speech. But it showed that Wong is focused on making the promises she made as a candidate a reality as mayor.