What is middle class again?

Regarding the recent bill in the City Council regarding campaign reform, I noted this gem:
"The donation limits in the legislation would double if any candidate used $250,000 of his or her own money for campaigns -- a measure designed to give candidates without great wealth the chance to make up some ground if they face a well-heeled rival."

What candidate "without great wealth" can throw around $250,000 of their own money into running a campaign??? And why wouldn't this "well-heeled rival" do the same??

This is almost as ridiculous as saying someone making $200,000 a year is middle class. Maybe in Connecticut or New York City, you can get away with such assumptions, but in Pittsburgh, give me a break. If I run for an office in Pittsburgh, you can bet I won't be spending $250,000 to do it, and the reason is because I don't have it.

"The veto is 'hugely disappointing,' said Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause/Pennsylvania, which had hoped to use city campaign reform to help spur statewide action."
To Mr. Kauffman, I say, do you really think the folk Harrisburg care about what Pittsburgh does? They don't even care what Allegheny County thinks as evidenced by the recent smoking ban fiasco. Maybe if Philadelphia institutes some campaign reform, we'll see some action.

To Mr. Ravenstahl, I say, I do applaud you for taking a stand against problematic bills, but if that's really your new stand, I don't think any new bills will ever be passed under your reign...

To the people who are pissed at Mr. Ravenstahl and think he's corrupt for veto-ing this bill, do you really think he won his last election because he spent more money on his campaign?

(reference: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08162/888681-53.stm)