It's Time to "Give the Ball to Dok"

WHY WE BELIEVE THIS ELECTION ISN'T OVER

Because nobody can predict what a voter will do when given the opportunity to vote by secret ballot. As unlikely as it seemed, in 2005, I watched Republicans in Sewickley Heights smile and shake the hand of their very un-democratic Council President (and then-President George W. Bush's top contributor) before going in to the polling booth to vote him out of office.

WHY WE'RE SUPPORTING FRANCO DOK HARRIS

I'm supporting Franco Dok Harris because I believe that he, with the support of his family, would help to make greater Pittsburgh the greatest Pittsburgh possible.

Let's begin with his grandmother, "Bubba" Bess Dokmonovich, a life-long Democrat from Aliquippa. Since 2004, I've worked on two Presidential campaigns with Bess, and have come to know her as a die-hard Democrat. Yet now she's supporting Dok - an independent, "small-d" democrat - and not just because he's her grandson. Bess is supporting Dok because he's willing to challenge Mayor Ravenstahl and his very un-democratic machine.

And then there's Dana Dokmanovich Harris, Dok's mom. She is one of the toughest, smartest and funniest women I know - and one of Dok's harshest critics - but I've watched her work tirelessly and selflessly for Dok because she knows that he's by far the best candidate in the race.

Finally, there's Franco Harris, Dok's dad. Yes, he's the Steeler Hall Fame, Four-time Super Bowl winner who caught the Immaculate Reception, which began the Steelers ascent to become the greatest football dynasty of all time. But anyone who's met Franco knows he's so much more than that. He loves Pittsburgh more than anyone I know and embodies the "never-say-die" attitude of Pittsburghers everywhere.

Dok Harris and his family have played an important role in helping to elect progressive candidates thoughout our region, including in the previously right-wing suburbs of Allegheny County. They are, like many voters in greater Pittsburgh, first and foremost "small-d" democrats who see fair and open elections as the best way to advance the future of our City, region, party, and country.

But don't take my word for it - watch the you-tube videos - and see for yourself why it's time to "Give the Ball to Dok."

WHY WE'RE NOT SUPPORTING LUKE RAVENSTAHL

When this race began, we decided not to support Mayor Ravenstahl for the simple reason that we thought Pittsburgh could do better. And once Dok entered the race, we knew that he was the candidate who would make Pittsburgh proud.

Now, as the race has become more and more negative, we are convinced we made the right choice - and we will not be bullied by the Ravenstahl machine, despite their threats to retaliate against our chairperson and other Democratic officials and candidates for their support of an "unendorsed" candidate.

WHY WE'RE NOT SUPPORTING KEVIN ACKLIN

We cannot help but be troubled by Mr. Acklin's previous support for extreme candidates not representative of the views of a majority of Pittsburghers. A review of the public records reveale that Mr. Acklin has NEVER contributed to a Democratic, Independent or even moderate Republican candidate (see www. ), a fact that shows that Kevin Acklin is not a former "John Heinz" Republican - he's a former "Santorum-Hart" Republican.

Indeed, in the Presidential General Election of 2008, the seminal race of our time, a race in which many people who had little gave much, Mr. Acklin did NOT contribute to EITHER candidate - a fact that either shows he was greatly conflicted or afraid to commit for fear of damaging his own political future.

While we commend Kevin Acklin for his brave opposition to Mayor Ravenstahl, and look forward to his continued progressive evolution, we believe that Dok Harris is the independent, democratic candidate most likely to build a coalition of Pittsburghers representative of all parties.

WHAT IS "CPR FOR GPR"?

CPR for GPR is working to "resuscitate" the role of responsible citizens in the Greater Pittsburgh Region (and the American democratic republic in general) and is open to All People (and Parties) in favor of Progress (APPs) - if you've got a progressive political issue in need of support, we've got an APP for that! To join CPR of Greater Pittsburgh, email me or cpr-gpr@yahoogroups.com.