Impressions

Calvaneso: He matured as a candidate before our eyes. He started out shaky, reading from a legal pad. He got the most and best lines out hitting Brown. I think a lot of people walked away impressed.

Flynn: Every tragedy needs its comic relief.

Gaughan: He’s smarter than you, but doesn’t make you feel like a schmuck about it. He truly believes in this community, and he’s got great, progressive ideas. Very smooth delivery.

Helfer: Salt of the earth, and more credible than, say, Flynn. Realizes that growing the economy is the key to growing this community, and recognizes that perception (i.e., quality of life), also plays a big role.

Brown: “CitiStat” and “me, too” were the buzzwords. That, and reminding us that he’s been endorsed by everyone from the unions to Brian Higgins.

All Brown had to do was not make any mistakes, and for the most part, he didn’t. He flubbed an easy question on Ray McGurn – why would he keep him around? Don’t department heads automatically give their resignations when a new administration is sworn in? He played it safe – taking no chances. Is that the kind of Mayor Buffalo needs?

Calvaneso got in the most hits on Brown, but I was surprised that more candidates didn’t. Brown’s campaign has played dirty this election cycle, so they don’t owe him anything. Brown is the presumptive nominee, so it behooves the challengers to mercilessly assault Brown’s wishy-washy ways, his Senate record, and his reliance on technology as an end, rather than a means to an end. They pretty much abdicated to Brown by not doing that.

I know and understand why Judy Einach wasn’t invited, (she’s no longer in a primary challenge), but it was still somewhat of a travesty to have Charlie Flynn up there and not Einach. The IP primary?

A winner? Objectively, Brown, because he came away unscathed. Stylistically, Gaughan and Brown were the most poised. Calvaneso was a regular guy and said a lot of things that made a lot of sense. He made a good argument on the parking meter issue, I thought. They should have not talked about schools at all – I mean, who isn’t for improving Buffalo’s schools? It’s a given.

Brown’s going to win, and he claims to be for reform, changing the culture, and remaking City government. I hope he’s right.