Shows the changes the group was asked to make, apparently by the TV stations. (Wendy added: I have transcribed the two scripts below the jump for comparison's sake.)
First version:
“When this bell first rang our struggle for liberty had only just begun. Through acts of courage and sacrifice, blood and tears, we’ve come too far, fought too hard to take our rights for granted. As mayor, Michael Nutter says he’d let police suspend constitutional rights in some neighborhoods, giving police new powers to detain and search anyone at any time without any legal cause. Haven’t we had enough of politicians like Nutter, who step on our rights in the name of security?”
New, edited version:
“When this bell first rang our struggle for liberty had only just begun. Through acts of courage and sacrifice, blood and tears, we’ve come too far, fought too hard to take our rights for granted. As mayor, Michael Nutter says he would give police new powers to stop and frisk people in some neighborhoods, letting officers decide to search and detain anyone at any time. Haven’t we had enough of politicians like Nutter, who step on our rights in the name of security?”
Comments (19)
Call Fattah (215-829-1620) to remind him that he plegded to not "go negative" at the beginning of the campaign.
Posted by Anonymous | May 9, 2007 2:51 PM
Again ... why is no one talking about or looking into the links between the One Step Closer 527 and the Fattah campaign? The ties between this PAC, the Street administration, and Fattah are in plain view.
Posted by Anonymous | May 9, 2007 2:54 PM
It seems silly that the 527 ads attacking Knox are blocked because of the use of term "credit heroin", yet this ad filled with half-truths and racial innuendo goes unchallenged. And why doesn't it mention Fattah's stop and frisk plan?
Posted by Roman | May 9, 2007 3:16 PM
I todays paper Fattah's spokeswoman explains that his plan and Nutter's are "different". Her explanation isnt too convincing if you ask me.
Posted by sj | May 9, 2007 3:43 PM
Dan -- per the comment string under Wendy’s Todd Bridges/Willis post, early discussion of One Step Forward has focused on the ad and not so much who’s behind the effort. Yesterday’s Inky and PDN articles laid out some potential connections between Fattah and the 527, but I haven't seen any real effort to connect the dots. Contrast this with the disclosure of Smukler's role in seeding an anti-Knox 527 and his subsequent resignation from the Brady campaign.
It’s up to the candidates to decide whether it makes strategic sense for them to invest precious homestretch resources in establishing a One Step Forward-Fattah link. However, it seems like a no-brainer for a good reporter who really understands local politics and fundraising and has solid sources (paging Tom Ferrick … John Baer … Bob Warner …) to follow the money.
Maybe I’ve seen "All the President’s Men" one time too many, but this is what I count on journalists to do and to do so tenaciously ... especially when something as important as this mayoral election is at stake.
Posted by Anonymous | May 9, 2007 3:52 PM
Fattah is getting desperate. Wow!
Posted by R.oB. | May 9, 2007 4:19 PM
Looking at the original and edited ads, it looks like they did clean it up somewhat, making it more factually accurate. To those who think that the ad still unfairly portrays Nutter's position, I caution against giving the TV stations too much de facto control over the content of political advertising.
I've been a Nutter volunteer and contributor for several months and don't like a 529 coming in at the last minute and taking a cheap shot at my favored candidate. However, I get really nervous at the prospect of candidates' lawyers bullying the stations into not running ads that are misleading. An attacked candidate ordinarily should respond to the attack, maybe call out the attacker for taking a low blow, and let the voters decide. An attacked candidate shouldn't use the fear of lawsuits to preempt any and all attacks.
Posted by Joe | May 9, 2007 4:24 PM
Nutter may be a nice guy - but he is ugly looking
Posted by Thugs are Us | May 9, 2007 4:48 PM
This all that Fattah and Johnny Doc have left. Cheap shot attack adds, filled with untruths. It just confirms they are part of the problem, not the solution.
All the more reason to vote for Nutter.
Posted by Anonymous | May 9, 2007 5:00 PM
"Thugs"-
Actually, I think that Nutter is the best looking guy in the bunch. You can bet he'll have a female fanclub as mayor for mor than just his political successes.
Posted by Liz | May 9, 2007 5:10 PM
The line about "he'll suspend Constitutional rights" is just false, as the plan requires reasonable cause before a stop and frisk, consistent with the Terry v. Ohio standard set down by the Supreme Court. That is why it is so surprising that this issue has legs; the program just proposes using law enforcement tools that have been vetted for years. I wish Michael had been more forceful on that point on Sunday night, but he knows how to pick his battles.
Posted by Jlalaw | May 9, 2007 6:48 PM
Nutter for Managing Director -Best suits his strengths
Posted by Anybody But kNOx | May 9, 2007 10:34 PM
Why doesnt the media tell people what happened in 1985.
Posted by Anonymous | May 10, 2007 1:06 PM
Wow!! im voting knox after this, ive seen 1984.Talk about a police state.
Posted by fred allan | May 10, 2007 1:09 PM
Nutter is a discrace,How dare he call for poor people be frisked
Posted by vote knox | May 10, 2007 1:28 PM
isn't knox the one who wants to tear down drug houses? How dare he do that to poor people!
Posted by Anonymous | May 10, 2007 3:50 PM
Regardless of where the ads come from or who's paying for them The fact remains, Michael Nutter is advocating the search of "Suspected" illegal gun holders. We know what that means, YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES.
Posted by Marti | May 10, 2007 6:12 PM
It's time we stopped coddling criminals and started enforcing the law!
Posted by Anonymous | May 10, 2007 9:26 PM
I dizzle need thugz dippin' mah drug business on market $treet. I front fo Fattah coz hes tha best candidate out there , niggaz better recognize! Its a damn shame when tha po-po be gettin up in mah way all tha damn time.
Gotsa go, gots a phone call. some ho.
Posted by $ellin on market $treet | May 11, 2007 6:12 PM