(The Next Mayor blog welcomes new blogger, Phil, to the fold. Phil is an intern at WHYY and we've decided to turn him loose on the blog a few times each week. - Dan)
In a recent column, Daily News writer Stu Bykofsky lamented about the lack of mudslinging in this mayoral election. It does not seem to make sense to be upset about this.
In all other elections, there is an attack after an attack, and my question is, what is the upside of anger? Cui Bono? It does not seem to anyones advantage for the candidates to run negative campaigns.
I do, however, understand Mr. Bykofsky's angle as he is a newswriter and needs that back and forth blasting so he has something to write about, I get it, but it helps nobody, well, almost nobody, it gives Mr. Bykofsky something to do.
The love-in actually began the Friday after the primary when Al invited Mike to lunch at Port Richmond's Mercer Cafe. The two killjoys vowed no attack ads, no negative campaigning. They exchanged cell-phone numbers. (In a manly way.)
Stu seems terribly upset in this section of his column, does he not? Referring to the potential mayors as "killjoys" for actually getting along. But, to retool the immortal words of Rhett Butler, "Frankly, who gives a damn?"
Let's get real for a second, there hasn't been a Republican Mayor of Philadelphia since 1952, and though Al Taubenberger is probably a great man, and might make a great mayor. However, his Republican affiliation will probably hinder his chances as 75% of Philadelphians are registered Democrats, so why should he be nasty? And why should Michael Nutter be nasty, he'll most likely be the next mayor of the Sixth most populous city in the nation, it serves him no purpose as he will probably win anyway.
And, most importantly, with the city in the state that it's in; between murder and education and unemployment, mudslinging helps nobody. The politicians need to focus on their work and not on being politicians, it wastes too much time that would be better spent cleaning up our city.
Comments (7)
Very interesting outline of fellowship experiences and commercializing possibilities.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | July 19, 2007 4:21 PM
TAUBENBERGER'S RESPONSE:
Too nice they say?
They know me not
Truth is
I dislike Mike a lot.
I think this man
would not have won
If instead
he'd had a son
How grating
is that nasal tone?
And I'll bet
he owns an I-Phone
And what about
that smoking ban?
Couldn't he just
have bought a fan?
Don't think
that I lack any spite
Becaused avoiding
A Katz fight
So what
if with him i broke bread?
You may have noticed
I'm well fed
I''ll eat with anyone
who'll pay
And live to fight
another day.
Posted by portia | July 19, 2007 7:46 PM
NUTTER'S RESPONSE TO TAUBENBERGER'S RESPONSE:
I warn you, Al
you'll rue the day
That you took Nutter
on this way
To mock my role
as health defender
And comment on
my child's gender
You've gone too far
I'll tell you that
Now I must ratchet
up this spat
As payback for
your saying too much
When next we dine
We're going dutch.
Posted by portia | July 19, 2007 8:35 PM
TAUBENBERGER'S RESPONSE TO NUTTER'S RESPONSE TO TAUBENBERGER'S RESPONSE:
I'm sorry Mike
I'll zip my lip
How bout I just
pick up the tip?
NUTTER'S RESPONSE TO TAUBENBERGER'S RESPONSE TO NUTTER'S RESPONSE TO TAUBENBERGER'S RESPONSE:
Deal.
Posted by portia | July 19, 2007 8:43 PM
Hey! What about me???? Please talk about Jonny Doc. I need attention.
Posted by Doc 4Mayor | July 19, 2007 9:04 PM
Hey !!
I like Portia and Doc 4Mayor. Especially their responsibility decision and lasting interest.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | July 23, 2007 9:10 AM
Nutter and T-BERGER and associates better think 10 times before stepping out of line.
My crystal ball might be a little cloudy as I dig it from the box.
BUT....
" BELIEVE " I live to catch public officials in the " TILL ".
http://www.nbc10.com/news/13736031/detail.html
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | July 23, 2007 3:25 PM