Now this is where things get fun. Amy Ruiz over at Blogtown, PDX asks a question that many often wonder in the most basic way: are those running for Portland City Council tough enough to handle the job? Okay, I'm curious: can they? The candidates responded, and let's take a look at what they said.

Chris Smith, whom I met at the Iowa caucus watch-party at The Venue and who is really a nice guy, is "battle-hardened." What does that mean? He's a workaholic. He juggles activist projects and goes by "Citizen Smith," after all. Sounds good to me. I don't know if I'd pick him in a bar fight, but at least you know with a workaholic that they won't slack off in city hall. Plus he carries around a briefcase. I guess he could use that to smite someone. In all seriousness, since he's an "activist" I can only hope he'll be tough enough to engage all stakeholders, but not be milquetoast if there's a tough decision to be made.

Amanda Fritz has been a nurse in many rough situations, so she gets a pass on "tough." She also cites her ability to work both inside and outside city hall to achieve consensus and cut through bureaucracy. She's been tough enough to get past bureaucratic frustrations in the past, and she promises to do so in the future. In a bar fight? Hell yes I'd take her. She was the first to turn in her public financing forms and has an army of supporters. I wouldn't want to be against them!

How about Howard Weiner? He starts off by defining a few of his key principles on human life and dignity, and then asserts that he's fought for these his whole life. That's great, but not as exciting as being sprayed with mace, which he's also done. Ouch! He's also run a business and has been a community leader. That's good. But I'd still take Amanda's army in a bar fight.

Jeff Bissonnette says that his proving grounds are the Oregon Legislature, as a lobbyist for the Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon. That alone didn't jump out at me, but anyone who locks horns with the nefarious Republicans who were in charge back in the day is a winner in my book. Those guys fought DIRTY, and so Jeff probably has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Charles Lewis submitted a video. Again. Okay. I'm going to watch this one. Here goes. He's on a safari and visiting his sister-in-law who's in the Peace Corps. Oh, he was also in the Peace Corps. Hardcore. I approve. And in an unstable region: the Congo. Verge of civil war, he says. He had to evacuate. Foreign legionaries! Corruption! And the video's still going. Here's a story about him being blackmailed. The same thing happened to a friend of mine in Mexico. He didn't give in and was taken hostage. Harsh. Wow. Okay, I've heard enough. He wins. I'll take him in a bar fight. Seems like he has a good heart and steely resolve.

But let's not forget John Branam. He had some challenges during law school, when he had to commute to Eugene. He also was busy. But that isn't quite as interesting as his tough times growing up in Corvallis and at college in Virginia. And he's also been with the Peace Corps, in rural South Africa. There's no mugging story, but it's still good. Okay, he gets a pass too, from his diversity of experiences.

And, of course, Randy Leonard is tough. I once heard he ripped a phone book in half while fighting off a swarm of flying monkeys. Or something. Seriously, he's tough. I've seen him in action in Council chambers.

So, the final verdict? I wanted to say something more snarky, but I think they could all handle it. Some might handle it better than others, but they'd all survive in the Council. Who's the winner? I'm going to award a tie, to Amanda Fritz and Charles Lewis. Lewis just won me over with his crazy Peace Corps story, and I'm still afraid of the strength of Amanda's posse.

What are your thoughts? What other questions would you like to see Amy ask the candidates?