As a living monument of the city's history, over the past three decades, Barrett is capable of shooting from the hip. He is a walking encyclopedia of facts, figures, programs and initiatives all punctuated and linked to "I." At one point he chided Alcombright for reading from an indexed briefing book. The stunning and silencing response was "I came prepared."

In holding his own against a renowned pit bull like Barrett it appears that Alcombright took the edge and won the debate. Unlike Barrett he kept his cool, promised to rule with consensus, and to bring a corporate, business style to city management. In brilliantly on point closing remarks he talked about restoring "integrity" to the Mayoral office.

That caused Barrett to blow his top stating that after all his years in office he does not appreciate having his integrity challenged. It ignored the fact that he had used ad hominem cheap shots throughout the debate. It was old style politics which didn't work for John McCain and Sarah Palin and didn't prove to be effective against Alcombright. Much like Barack Obama the candidate, Dick Alcombright, kept cool and held his ground with tact and dignity.

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