Nashville's mayoral race has two well intentioned candidates with big ideas in the Metro Mayor's runoff election. Karl Dean and Bob Clement are both running on virtually the same platform: education and public safety.

Video: Word On The Street (8/27/07)

The truth is that neither candidate can do much about either.

Dean wants a higher graduation rate for the public school system and to replace the 70 vacancies on the Metro Police force.

As for education, it's the Metro School Board that must take action to improve graduation, not the mayor.

Just because his two children are in private schools, doesn't mean Dean isn't committed to Metro public schools.

As for his idea of hiring more police officers, ask Chief Ronal Serpas. Candidates are not sitting around on every corner waiting to be called to duty.

As for Clement, who in the world gave him his idea that Metro should bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics? We can't even fill this city's state fair.

He wants another park for the homeless? Whose idea was that?

Clement also pledges not to raise taxes in his first 4-year term of office if he becomes mayor.

The truth is he can't make that promise. He can only promise he will not propose a tax increase. It's up to the voters to increase taxes.

Metro has already stretched its tax dollars thin.

Both candidates should know government. They have been on a government payroll for years.

The candidates are good, honest men and good politicians with a lot of ideas. Many problems are facing the next mayor. Maybe they know how to pull a rabbit out of a hat.