In the meantime, Mr. Osgood, 37, has not distinguished himself. What he says is hard to argue with - the city has to be responsible financially, it must work closer with the Dayton Board of Education, people should be able to feel safe in their homes - but he still manages to turn off many of the people he meets. He's not the ambassador the city needs.
In opposing the proposal that would bring baseball to Dayton, Mr. Osgood overstates the threats to city services and the problems baseball would bring. In the primary, he refused to condemn the ugly literature circulating against Ms. Wiseman. This is not the stuff of leaders.
Mr. Lewis, who currently is a state representative, clearly enjoys public service, and he will look out for Dayton and do no harm. He has at times in the campaign shown signs of conviction, perhaps in response to some criticism he has come under.
What Mr. Lewis, 70, can be counted on to do is not act impulsively, and to consider issues thoughtfully. He doesn't have it in him to be the cheerleader he says Dayton needs, and, if he has any grand plans, only he knows about them.
But Mr. Lewis is more professional than Mr. Orick, and he'll work better with others than Mr. Osgood.