Despite all his problems since taking office (and one hiring blunder even before he was sworn in) Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is now facing his first true “rubber hits the road” issue: a full blown snowstorm.

Six months ago the political talk in town was all about Suttle’s recall.

That talk has slowed.

Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps tells me it’s been nearly 2 months since anyone called his office with recall questions, but you still hear some squabbling.

And any squabbler that is so inclined can now officially begin a recall.

Tuesday December 8th, 2009 was the first day someone could walk into the county election office and begin circulating petitions to throw Suttle out of office. The recaller(s) would have 30 days to collect 26,642 valid signatures. Following a successful petition drive Suttle could choose to either resign or stand for election. If he ran and lost, another election would be held to choose Suttle’s successor.

But just as significant Tuesday December 8th, 2009 was also the “Blizzard of 2009.” And blizzards bring the kind of voter scrutiny that can make or break any top city leader. In the late ’70’s when a foot of snow shut down Chicago, Mayor Mike Bilandic, who was thought to be the Windy City’s next mayor for life, was voted out of office.

At least one top Republican has said it’s too soon for a recall. In September during an exclusive interview with Nebraska Watchdog Republican Congressman Lee Terry said the recall talk was “premature. (Click here to see the Terry interview).

A few weeks later Suttle told Nebraska Watchdog that a recall would hurt the city financially. (Click here to see the Suttle interview).

But the 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or whatever inches of snow outside gives voters, especially voters who drive, a chance to mark their own Suttle Scorecard. And Suttle has given drivers something to debate, a new “push the snow to the middle of the road” policy. On Dodge and half a dozen downtown streets the snow is being plowed away from the curbs. Good idea or bad idea? And how long will it take to clear the neighborhoods?

The answers to those kinds of questions could change the recall game one way or the other.