Mick Cornett joins Aaron Renn to discuss Cornett’s time as mayor of Oklahoma City (2004-2018) and his new book The Next American City: The Big Promise of Our Midsize Metros.

America is full of midsize cities that have prospered through smart governance, including Charleston, Des Moines, Indianapolis, Sacramento—and Oklahoma City. Over the last decade-plus, elected officials and community leaders have made real progress on improving these urban centers, boosting civic vitality, and creating economic opportunity for residents.

Cornett’s four successful terms as mayor of Oklahoma’s largest city offer a blueprint for reform-minded mayors across the country. “The Next American City,” Aaron Renn writes, “charts Oklahoma City’s transformation, offers examples of similar turnarounds in other cities, and describes Cornett’s personal journey from sportscaster to mayor.”

City Journal is a magazine of urban affairs, published by the Manhattan Institute.

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  1. colleenb Member
    colleenb
    @colleenb

    Great podcast.  This gentleman sounds like he was a fantastic mayor and leader.  Hope he can tackle another problem for our country. 

    • #1
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