Vancouver's Obama

Overall, myimpressions of the night were:

-         Thethree candidates have done a good job of working on their Goldilockscombination of individual rhetorical problems (too slow, too fast, too muchinformation). They all came off as reasonably eloquent and able to present abig-picture view, when needed.

-         Therewere too many vague and motherhood statements for a policy wonk like me (“weneed to fight crime” “we need to support the arts”)

-         Therewere a few glimmers of new and provocative ideas: Create a speculators’ tax;allow second suites in all houses; use bonus density to create affordable housing.

-         GregorRobertson was the Obama candidate, with great, uplifting statements but oftenthe least specific on issues. Essential message: “We can make Vancouver the greenest city and a creativecapital.”

-          Al DeGenova was the can-do guy with lots ofideas and some proposals that were so specific I had no idea what he wastalking about. Essential message: “I’m into solutions and I know how to beat thatweasel Sam Sullivan.”

-         Raymondwas the guy who knows the city inside out and is part of the team that came upwith great ideas that the NPA killed. Essential message: “Sam Sullivan and theNPA have wrecked the city. Let’s go back to what the previous council wastrying to do.”