What Makes a Great Mayor? ::::

Hear Civic Strategies President Otis White on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation." On Dec. 10, 2003, NPR asked Otis to join a show about what makes mayors great, along with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial and former Dallas Mayor Steve Bartlett. 

So what makes a great mayor? An unusual collection of talents, a genuine feel for the city — and something else, Otis said: You have to pass the character test. That is, he said, it helps if you're a character.

To listen to the show, please click here.

For more about great mayors, you may want to read our analysis of how three visionary mayors changed their cities, Orlando, Fla., Indianapolis and Portland, Ore.