Yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama called. On Friday, it was former President Bill Clinton. On the receiving end was Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, yesterday's young mayor and today's presidential political player.

With the Democratic presidential nomination battle super-tight, and with Pennsylvania's April 22 primary the next big delegate trove, the mayor has two cards to play. One is his endorsement. Its value: Hard to say.

The second is his highly quantifiable vote as a national convention delegate, a role he is guaranteed along with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, the statewide row officers and the leaders of the party's legislative caucuses. Those officials are free to vote their minds at the convention, according to state Democratic Party spokesman Abe Amoros.

The competition for officials' convention votes is fierce this year, as it seems unlikely the delegates awarded through primaries and caucuses will give New York Sen. Hillary Clinton or Illinois Sen. Obama a decisive victory.

"I'm still uncommitted," the mayor said. "I told them that I look forward to meeting in person with them to talk about some of the things that I feel are important in the election, and will probably have a chance to do so in the very near future."

Tops on his list is reversing the decline of federal funding for city development, foreclosure prevention and job training. "All of the resources that cities need to continue to be vibrant have continued to decline under the current administration."

County Chief Executive Dan Onorato also got calls yesterday from Mr. Obama and last week from Mr. Clinton, according to his spokesman Kevin Evanto.