Knox and Nutter spokeswoman SMACKDOWN (The Next Mayor)

OK, this is REALLY silly, but we've already had Milton arrested today, so why not?

If you are looking for actual content on the mayor's race, please scroll down and read the posts on Evans' new ads and Fattah's opportunity agenda.

For those of you who like silly:

There's a little semi-friendly flap going on between Knox's camp and Nutter's camp. Seems Young Philly Politics contributors were going on and on about Nutter's performance at the Next Great City forum Thursday (watch it here if you missed it).

Nutter did seem to be lauded by the crowd, according to everyone who was there that I've talked to. In fact, his camp put out a press release afterward claiming to have won, though it wasn't a debate and I am not real sure what that means.

Anyway, in response to YPP, Knox's press secretary, the extremely Web-savvy (and funny) Susan Madrak, posted an amusing comment that began: "When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Michael Nutter. / Michael Nutter does not sleep. He waits. / Michael Nutter counted to infinity - twice."

And so on.

So, today, Nutter's press secretary, the also-has-a-sense-of-humor-and-will-use-it Melanie Johnson, issued a statement thanking Susie.

My goodness.

Comments (4)

Phaedrus:

It's as if both of these campaigns are trying to lose.

Knox has an inexhaustible war chest, and so can probably afford to lead other candidates down a dangerous path and buy his own way back out, but I have to wonder what on God's green earth the Nutter campaign is thinking.

I like Nutter himself, but his campaign is forcing me to reconsider supporting him.

I also think he did quite well at the event, but claiming to have "won" a forum was ridiculous in and of itself. Allowing themselves to be baited by the Knox camp in this way, however, goes beyond poor rhetorical judgement. It demonstrates a proclivity on Nutter's part to surround himself with incompetent professionals, and makes me worry about what a Nutter-run City Hall might look like.

Posted by Phaedrus | February 19, 2007 4:04 PM

Dave

I agree that calling the Next Great City forum a "debate" is stretching things a bit (although a couple of the candidates seemed to think it was), I'm not sure how you come to the conclusion that Nutter's campaign staff is "incompetent." A little humor never hurt anyone.

As far as "winning" the forum, a lot of people posting on the internet (including Brady supporter Andy Daven) seem to agree that he had the best grasp of the issues.

Having said that, arguing about this seems a little silly to me ;-)

Posted by Dave | February 19, 2007 4:13 PM

Valid point, Dave. Perhaps 'incompetent' was too strong a word. It illustrates my frustration in watching the candidate I believe has the best grasp on the actual issues facing the city become mired in a sophomoric exhange that, to my mind, undermines the seriousness of the discusion we should be having, but frustration is not an excuse for vitriol.

Still, politically, this exchange can't be good for nutter. He and Rep. Evans are both solid public servants and credible candidates, but both are in danger of being shouted out of the race by the celebrity of two United States Congressman and the personal fortune of an incredibly successful businessman. This means that either can easily be pigeonholed by opponents, since neither will have the money or celebrity to redefine themselves. Nutter's entrance into a tongue-in-cheek press release swap will make it far too easy for opponents to frame him as someone who does not take these issues seriously, and that is one of the few things he should be able to bank on.

Posted by Phaedrus | February 19, 2007 4:59 PM

WardWatcher

is it me, or is this at least the second time that the Nutter campaign has issued a press release with a witty idea behind it, and yet this woman drains the fun out by beating us over the head that its supposed to be funny? did she really need to write that he "said it with a grin" and "continued with a laugh"?!?

anyone that has ever met Mike Nutter knows his dry sense of humor. obviously his campaign spokesperson is not as sophisticated. we get it Melanie. we get it. you're trying to be funny. you're just not succeeding.

Posted by WardWatcher | February 19, 2007 7:03 PM

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