Column - Pressure's on for Speedy Delivery

So I was on WMT radio on election night with former Cedar Rapids Mayor Paul Pate. He mentioned some sage advice for candidates seeking office: It's best to under-promise and over-perform.

I thought about that as I was driving to Ron Corbett's victory party. Meanwhile, the radio was telling me how national Republicans made gains in Tuesday's off-year elections, dealing a blow to President Obama.

Just a year ago, we watched history make people misty-eyed in Chicago's Grant Park. They waited in the cold to see Obama the victor, to cheer the guy who promised to clean up the culture of corruption in D.C. and create jobs and kick-start the economy and make us forget about the unpopular regime he'd be replacing. Seems long ago.

I got to Corbett's shindig at the IBEW hall. OK, it was no Grant Park.

But Springsteen was blaring and Coors Light was flowing and there were free hot dogs. Nobody was misty-eyed, that I could tell, but lots of people were nudging in to get a few minutes with the guy who promised to end the culture of delay and create jobs and kick-start the local economy and make us forget about the unpopular mayor he's replacing. Then the DJ played “Free Bird” and I lost my train of thought.

Oh yeah. I was thinking about how almost no candidates actually take Pate's advice. Over-promising is all the rage, no matter how big or small the political stage.

People started getting impatient with The One before his inauguration trash was bagged up. I wonder how much time Corbett will get to prove he can walk the walk after talking the talk for eight months? In this instant-gratification age, the over-under is not much.

Swift political disillusionment? There's an app for that.

Corbett is a coalition candidate, elected with support of business, labor, flood-affected residents, anti-tax activists, Democrats, Republicans etc. But the same coalition that hoists you on its shoulders election night will soon be yanking you in 10 different directions once an oath of office is administered. Big tents can make a fine setting for big fights.

Then there are those pesky factors beyond the new mayor's control - the global economy, the glacial pace and unpredictable whim of the federal government and the inherent weaknesses of the officially part-time office he's filling.

The good news for Corbett is there will be chances to prove his mettle early. A tough budget process awaits. Recovery continues. A city manager will be evaluated. It promises to be interesting.

Contact the writer at (319) 398-8452 or todd.dorman@gazcomm.com