Mayor 2009: Candidates on the Economy

KTRK gets some video clips of the candidates talking about the economy here in Houston. For now, I'm just passing off the video itself. Commentary to follow later in the day.

UPDATE: Not as much free time as I wish I had to pick these apart, but here's the nickel version on each ...

» Annise - good presentation. The details of her answer aren't quite as good as her "empathetic" opening. I'm slightly doubtful of the "Hire Houston First" plan of her's, but any of the worst fears I have of it are negated by the fact that it's sure to get watered down sufficiently before it ever comes to pass. If nothing else, it offers those who don't want to weed into the economics of it all a sense that she's at least got a plan of sorts.

» Gene - a bit too pessimistic for my taste. I keep thinking that somehow I must have the most miraculous ride into work since I see so many businesses that are actually open. As for the details, I don't think there's much objectionable material here. As far as ranking it in "plattitudinousness", I suppose it would be one or two levels worse than Annise's.

» Peter - dreadful. Both the presentation and plan. Whoever it was that gave Peter the idea that a Kingwood candy store would be the optimal setting to get the word of your average Houston small business owner should be left entirely out of plans for the next video response.

» Roy - I can't help but wonder ... was he unaware that he could do another take; or was this the 50th take that he was doing and maybe it was really light years better than the other takes? The second half of this video is a case study in how NOT to do a video. The presentation is sharp - which really ought to shame Peter's effort. The talking points probably accomplish much of what Roy is hoping for them to do (consolidate GOP votes), and he doesn't look like the rank amateur that junkies like me know full well that he is. Make of that what you will.

Annise Parker:

Gene Locke:

Peter Brown

Roy Morales: