Some talk about the issues — not enough for Chaka Fattah, who made it known that he wanted more time to talk about them — but not much new from this morning's KYW debate.
There were some interesting moments...
Like when Bob Brady denied ever telling PhillyMag that he was just "spinning the shit" in his role spreading the theory that the bug in Mayor Street's office was a Washington Republican conspiracy. That was the first question (nice curveball, Mike Dunn) and one Brady, surely, wasn't prepped for.
"That's a reporter reporting something," Brady said, "sometimes you're (Dunn) not quite accurate." He says the "spinning" was just him reporting "what the FBI wouldn't confirm or deny." UPDATE: Steve Rodrick, the author of the PhillyMag story in question, stands by it. "Congressman Brady was quoted accurately and I stand by the story," he writes. ...
If you watched Robin Macintosh do his job in the media-mix with the candidates afterwords, you would think the biggest issue coming out of the debate was who was right: Bob Brady claiming 95 years of service between the four public servants in the race, or Tom Knox's 74-year figure. Quick arithmetic says, well, it says it depends what numbers you look at. If you only consider Brady's nine years in Congress, Knox's number is right. Take into account Brady's service to the city before Congress, and the 95 works. Can you say controversy? Yeah, me neither. ...
Knox was hit with a few curves from Dunn and Steve Tawa on his past business practices. He had a chance to say that his 18 months with payday lending was a bad idea, but instead Knox kept to his line that it was a service that people needed to make ends meet. As mayor, he would work to provide microloans to those same people. ...
The second to last question of the debate was who each candidate would vote for if they couldn't vote for themselves. Knox was the only one to give a straight answer. He'd vote for Dwight Evans. Expect a press release from Evans' campaign any minute now. ...
And, Brady on what he was hoping for from the "Breakfast with the Candidates": "I'd like to get some ham, some sausage, some eggs, some pancakes." ...
The candidates all have busy schedules ahead of them today ... we'll check back with updates from the trail.
UPDATE: From Evans, as promised:
"I am honored that Tom would voice his support for my candidacy this morning,” Evans stated after the debate. “Tom has circulated a petition to support my bill to give Philadelphia our power back to make our own gun laws, he has promoted my record of leadership on public safety in one of his television commercials, and now he has publicly stated he would vote for me. Maybe I should have asked for a campaign contribution from him this morning, too!”
I'm guessing Knox went with the candidate he doesn't think can win (I'm also starting to suspect he can't, which is unfortunate since I kind of liked what I read in his Inquirer profile).
Posted by: dude | April 30, 2007 at 11:35 AM
If you like what you read, call the campaign office and volunteer to canvass neighborhoods and GOTV!!!! Evans and Nutter seem best equipped and least politically burdened to lead the city. If I can quote a local minister, "Nutter is good, but Dwight is better!!!"
Posted by: FTP | April 30, 2007 at 11:44 AM
I'm already firmly in the Nutter camp (and not just because he's polling higher, and looks like he might win -- I also happen to think he's most qualified). Evans would be my second choice, though. Best of luck to him and his campaign.
Posted by: dude | April 30, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Word on the street is that Doc's local 98 goons are threatening and intimidating people in south philly who put brady signs in their windows.
Smashing car windows, threats, and intimidation. Just another day on the Knox campaign.
Posted by: Tim O'Leary | April 30, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Doc and his thugs need to worry about doing electrical work at those inflated prices they charge! Aren't they suppose to be an electrical union? Do they ever work?
They are a bunch of goons that are all getting paid from Doc's cash reserve
Nutter will get rid of Doc and his ilk -he is bad for our city
Nutter for Mayor!
Posted by: Nutter for Managing Director | April 30, 2007 at 09:35 PM