Several weeks ago, two smart someones said to me (in separate conversations) that in this campaign it's essential that candidates define themselves.
Knox is the outsider (though maybe not as outsider as we think.) Fattah is the front-running policy wonk (though not as front-running as he used to be). Brady, for good or ill, is the old-style pol with a populist touch. Evans is the mayor of West Oak Lane, with hopes to bring his experience to the rest of the city.
Nutter's rep was "reformer with a record of success."
Apparently, he'd like to sharpen that a bit.
He's got a new ad set to hit the airwaves, and, again, it's message is:
MICHAEL NUTTER: NOT JOHN STREET.
"John Street says I shouldn't be running against him for Mayor," says Nutter, talking directly to the camera, as the ad begins. "But in a way, I am. I am running against the things he's done wrong."
Later, he says, ""If that makes some of you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. You can vote for one of my opponents. But if you want to move us in a better direction, and manage the city the right way, I'm your man."
Yet a third smart someone and I have been talking for weeks about whether this is a savvy political move. He thinks not, arguing that it's a little silly to run against someone who isn't in the race. I think so. It certainly won't hurt Nutter's base, and it might woo a few of those disgruntled-with-the-way-things-are-going voters that Knox has snapped up.
Check out the ad here, and tell me what you think.
Comments (11)
People hate Street. Makes sense to me. Fattah isn't a policy wonk; he's a fraud.
Posted by PhillyDeservesBetter | April 7, 2007 10:32 PM
Yep. Street's sort of like a local George Bush to many people.
Fattah likes to policy whip while driving very badly, apparently:
http://www.phillymag.com/articles/chaka_fattah_just_your_average_politcian
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/john_baer/20070226_John_Baer___Fattah__A_wonk_on_overdrive.html
Posted by Dave![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blogs.phillynews.com/dailynews/nextmayor/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 8, 2007 12:05 AM
It's a unique strategy. All of the candidates are talking about what they're going to do about crime, the schools, etc., but Nutter's approach (at least in this ad) is to tell us what he's NOT going to do. He's NOT going to be like the last guy - not the status quo.
Posted by phillyfornutter | April 8, 2007 3:51 PM
We actually that the commercial was a bit arrogant. Ads should be asking someone to vote for them not for "one of my opponents" if you don't like who I decided I am running against. The commercial is risky and won't run long, I predict.
Posted by phillyrick | April 8, 2007 6:25 PM
I think it is a great ad, since Street has about 72% unfavorable . Philly needs someone who is different but has experience....like Nutter.
Posted by Anonymous | April 8, 2007 8:25 PM
This is the city that reelected a black Democrat after he dropped a bomb on a black neighborhood and burned it to the ground. The same geniuses who reelected Goode support Street. If Nutter thinks that competence will sell to Democrat voters, he's seriously mistaken.
Posted by anon | April 8, 2007 9:32 PM
Anon, I wasn't aware that 1 city block was an entire neighborhood. Neither was I aware that incompetence was only adminstrated by Democrats. It must've been those dems that voted for Bush...twice!
Lousy Democrats.
Posted by Patricio | April 8, 2007 11:41 PM
Patricio, as in Philebrity TV Patricio?
Posted by Anony-mouse | April 9, 2007 8:16 AM
I dont see this ad strategy as being a negative for Nutter as long as he follows up with a different message. Knox is making it clear (without saying so) that doesnt approve of the current Mayor. Nutter is doing the same thing only he is naming names and I think that is a good way to stand out from Brady and Fattah who will NEVER admit that Street has been lackluster. They are bothe saying they represent "change" for the better while saying the current guy has done a good job. That makes no sense. If Nutter can make them look like they want to deliever 8 more years of Street it could work to his advantage. I think Nutter is saying if you want more of the same, vote for one of his opponents. Makes sense to me.
Posted by sj | April 9, 2007 2:52 PM
Ahh...the cat's out of the bag. Yes it is I.
Now the world will know of my involvement in the Queena Bass campaign. Like Ms. Bass, I just want to shed some love on TheNextMayor.com.
Posted by Patricio | April 9, 2007 7:15 PM
I was voting for Knox, however I am now for Nutter. I admire his issues regarding the environment, ceasing pay to play, cleaning the lazy folks out of City Hall, revenues going to fairmount park etc. Nothing can be done regarding education until Bush leaves. No child left behind is a joke. The entire curriculum is a joke.On the issues regarding after school programs; some parents need after school programs. Most bad children have bad parents.
Posted by monique | April 28, 2007 9:07 AM