I realize it's the end of the campaign. I realize there are undecided voters that need wooing, and I understand that in politics, sometimes you have to challenge the other candidate's ideas.
However, you do NOT have to challenge their religion.
Today's Inquirer reports that there were fliers left outside of at least two Catholic churches in the city accusing Michael Nutter of abandoning his faith because it was politically advantageous.
"Remember that Democrat Tom Knox is a practicing Catholic," the flyer reads. "Michael Nutter? He was Catholic when it was convenient for him, so he could get a quality Catholic education. Now? He quietly left the Catholic Church to become a Baptist, probably because his polls told him it would be a smart move."
The flyer had a red headline and Knox's name at the bottom in red, but there was nothing on it to indicate who was responsible for the literature. It was placed on car windshields outside at least two Catholic parishes in opposite ends of the city.
Knox says it wasn't him. "Believe me, it's not me doing that - there are some things you just don't do," he told the Inquirer.
Nutter didn't buy that. From the story:
"It's clear to me, based on the other filthy literature Tom Knox has been mailing out, that this is clearly more of his nasty tactics," Nutter said, brushing off Knox's denial.
In fact, Nutter had some choice words for Knox, calling him a "scumbag."
Bob Brady was also attacked -- which may give an inkling that the candidates' internal polls say his numbers are better than recent public polls suggest:
"Bob Brady? He admitted that he never attends Mass," the flyer said.
Yesterday, holding up his hands and shaking his head, Brady would not address the issue. "I'm not going to respond to Tom Knox," he said.
Again, Knox denies he's behind the flyers.
Obviously, we don;t know who did them, but they are repulsive. Where are the guys who used to debate policy in front of groups of involved citizens?
I'd like to put one other thing out there.
About those mailings that Nutter refers to...
There is one mailing, which is labeled as Knox for Philly ad, which uses a Daily News photo from a recent Clout. It's a funny picture of Nutter and John Street -- we used it here.
It's taken radically out of context and presented as proof that Nutter has a chummy relationship with Street. Which is, obviously, not true.
However, the real problem is that the picture in question was given to the Daily News for one-time use. We certainly didn't give permission for it to be used.
Just want to get that out there.
Comments (13)
I can't believe I was actually considering voting for Knox at one point. I feel so dirty. Yuck, that man is the definition of sleeze.
Posted by Anonymous | May 14, 2007 7:57 AM
watch Brady, he's making ground along the rail . . .
Posted by Anonymous | May 14, 2007 8:48 AM
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Janie Blackwell is a sellout! Don't forget!
Posted by Fattah in West Philly | May 14, 2007 8:49 AM
This election will say a lot about where we are as a city. Are we Old Philadelphia or New Philadelphia? Are we corrupt and content or optimistic and visionary? Are we 20th Century or 21st Century? This is the first real clash of civilizations for Philly politics.
Posted by Anonymous | May 14, 2007 8:49 AM
I got this straight from one of Rendell's guys. Brady is now in second according to polls and making a run.
Posted by Anonymous | May 14, 2007 8:51 AM
How stuPid do we think the general public really is? Of course our union printed and distributed the Nutter pieces aNd Brady reference about not being practising Catholics.
We have a unit that is paid to do just this and they do it well!
Anyway-
BRADY WENT TO MASS AND BRADY FOR MAYOR!
Posted by Electricians for Brady | May 14, 2007 8:53 AM
wow, the morons are really out in force today.
Posted by Anonymous | May 14, 2007 8:57 AM
More desperate Knox gets, the more we see who he really is. Attacking someone's faith, attacking on the basis of race..
THIS IS THE REAL TOM KNOX.
Paid staffers, wearing pink "team knox" t-shirts at the mother's day race for the cure but not actually participating in the event. Just people paid $50 or $100 to stand around to provide a "presence" at the event.
THIS IS THE REAL TOM KNOX.
A man who will launch a smear campaign against anyone, regardless of their record or the facts.
THIS IS THE REAL TOM KNOX.
Posted by Jill | May 14, 2007 9:08 AM
Disgraceful. Tom Knox's new alliances with particular City Council members and Local 98 make these tactics less of a surprise...
Posted by Anonymous | May 14, 2007 10:26 AM
Our union is making us support Brady just like they make us pay him with a sweet pension deal. Many of us are voting Knox. We are sick of the old regime!
Posted by Carpenters for Knox | May 14, 2007 10:35 AM
talk about smear campaigns!All Brady has done is smear KNox because hes about to get his ass thrown out on the street!Brady is a buffoon.The old regime doesnt work !Vote for change!
Posted by jim | May 14, 2007 10:56 AM
How is Knox going to be a reformer when he is supported by the electricians and they are putting out all kinds of sleazy literature against nutter? Doesnt that remind Knox of the dirty, underhanded type of politics he is supposedly against? What will Knox owe Johnny Doc if he is elected with much help from Local 98? I thought Knox had enough money to do this alone so he wouldnt need to owe anyone once in office. That seems like a lot of crap at this point.
Posted by sj | May 14, 2007 11:15 AM
I'm sickened by this. One can only hope the TV news will be all over this crap, calling it for what it is. I haven't heard mention of the other ridiculous flier Knox was distributing against stop and frisk which incorrectly states that Nutter will give the police the power to stop and frisk anyone for any reason, which includes a color photo of handcuffs being put on someone (black hands of course) and a target--the flier is red and from a distance resembles a flier for the store (Target, that is). The flier suggests that only Nutter and Fattah support stop and frisk.
Posted by Tim | May 14, 2007 12:51 PM