From today's Inquirer:
The mayor-elect told the crowd that he had come to his decision after talking several times with the Democratic presidential front-runner and determining that "her priorities are the right priorities for Philadelphia."
"It's time for cities and metropolitan areas to take their prominent place in America again," he declared.
At this point, it seems that the choice of whom to endorse comes down to either Clinton or Obama for most major political figures. Nutter has decided to throw in for Clinton. Considering that he's gone so far as to appoint supporters of his primary rivals to high level posts in his administration, I think it's unlikely that Nutter chose not to endorse Obama because of his support for Fattah in the primary. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it appears that he simply chose Clinton because he thinks she's the better candidate.
Leaving aside the obvious point that the endorsement of the mayor-elect of Philadelphia is unlikely to make much difference in the outcome given the lateness of Pennsylvania primary, do you think this was a smart, savvy move? If Obama is able to pull off the improbable win, much like a certain 5th place candidate was able to do in last May's mayoral primary, is Philadelphia now in a bad spot with the next President? Or would it not matter given that Obama's background in another big city (Chicago) makes him naturally inclined to paying special attention to cities?
So many rhetorical questions, so little time. Discuss.
Oh, and stay tuned for video from Nutter's Managing Director announcement. (The answer to the trivia question I raised yesterday is in the comments section of this post.)
Comments (26)
I am outraged that Michael Nutter decided to publicly endorse Hillary Clinton. She did not even have the grace to visitthe city but sent her husband instead. Yet, he stands there and states his support. The city of Philadelphias' support? Is he crazy. He always talks about being a changing force in Philadelphia, yet he clearly doesn't expect that same standard for the country. I am sorry that I voted for him.
Posted by Adjoa | December 12, 2007 10:29 AM
Agreed, I am sad to hear that Nutter endorsed Clinton.
Posted by Anony-mouse | December 12, 2007 11:04 AM
Most well heeled politicians are supporting Sen. Clinton, so Nutter's endorsement is not a surprise. However, many voters aren't looking for candidate this time around who is so entenched in the current political gridlock.
Barack the vote.
Posted by dmanns | December 12, 2007 11:16 AM
Very disappointed.
This endorsement says a lot about what sort of Democrat Nutter is. As the comments above imply, Clinton is an establishment Democrat. Most of her campaign money comes from the financial services sector, which is steadily replacing big oil and big industry as having the most pernicious influence on the American economy. And Rupert Murdoch gave her money--need I say more?
But I digress; this shouldn't be a thread to bash Hillary (although couldn't we use a few more in the MSM?), rather to bash Nutter by association.
Hopefully, Nutter's pro-business, centrist ambitions don't drive his local leadership as mayor. What the city needs is more investment in social services, not less. A Clinton Democrat is the most pro-business Democrat there is.
Posted by i voted for nutter | December 12, 2007 11:31 AM
Nutter doesn't have the track record nor the gravitas to step out and back an unconventional choice.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | December 12, 2007 12:15 PM
Come on, you can't be surprised that Nutter backed her? Would you want to back Barack after he came out in favor of the other guy right before your electon?
That's a tough pill to swallow, even if he knows Obama would be better.
Posted by Goose | December 12, 2007 1:01 PM
As a Nutter from the very beginning, I can't help but feel disappointed. Nutter and Obama seem to come from the same mold, and to many they represent a clean break from the partisan bickering our local and national politics have been paralyzed by for too long.
His endorsement of Clinton may be a smart bet that will pay dividends for our city in the future, but I can't help but think that it stinks of politics of the past. Ofcourse he may just think Hilary is the better candidate, but I doubt it.
Posted by Roman | December 12, 2007 2:52 PM
Dan anything and everything is possible with me.
Your buddy the JasMan....
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | December 12, 2007 3:26 PM
Goose,
Agreed, Nutter couldn't back Obama, but Clinton? There are lots of other candidates that would have been safe bets. What about Edwards? Hell, I would have been happy with a Ron Paul endorsement.
Posted by Anony-mouse | December 12, 2007 4:36 PM
Great endorse by Nutter. Barack is not the future. All hype and no substance or experience.
Posted by Anonymous | December 12, 2007 9:31 PM
I like Nutter, BUT this was a DUMB mistake. Hopefully he backs Barack down the road. This doesn't look good for his voting constituents in Philadelphia:-(
Posted by Craig | February 6, 2008 10:48 PM
Michael Nutter, the Mayor or Philadelphia, PA., is still a political figure and knows better than to back other than Hillary Clinton. If she wins over Barack Obama I know its because of super delegates like Mayor Nutter. If she wins in spite of the popular vote for Barack Obama, I'm leaving the Democratic Party.
Arthur G. Baylor Jr.
Posted by Anonymous | February 13, 2008 2:09 PM
Michael Nutter is part of the political power in Philly, that is why he is supporting Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama who clearly would be a better President for the country.
Arthur Baylor
Posted by Anonymous | February 13, 2008 2:18 PM
It is a shame that so many people have made this a campaign based on race/ethnicity. You can tell from your comments that your reasoning has nothing to do with politics or whats best for this country---but instead is completely racially motivated. Just because a black man has decided to support a white woman, you feel that you have been betrayed. This is nonsense.
It is so sad that so many have forgotten already the great things that the Clintons did for minorities when they were in the White House. Also, when they were in the White House---their experience is the reason why then we had a good life. We did not have any of the problems that we're face with today. There was no war. The President of Iraq was not hanged. Thousands of innocent military personnel and civilians had not been killed in a war that is unnecessary. We had not experienced a 911, people were not suffering or loosing their home. When they left the White House they handed to inexperienced George Bush a country that not only had a very thriving economy, but a significant budget surplus. During the Clinton years, many, many blacks and other minorities groups excelled not only professionally, but personally. But, why should I be surprised by your responses---the black community always is happy to receive the fruits of better times, but quickly forget who handed us those fruits when we move back to being racial. Remember, many of you were upset when Bill Cosby spoke of real issues in our community when he was only speaking of the truth about our community.
The Mayor of Philadelphia is making a choice that he feels is best for the city of Philadelphia and the country-- -AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH HIM. It is really a sad day in America because we have become a country that does not vote on issues or the fact that a candidate has experience anymore, but instead we vote for color and inexperience. It is also sad that we blacks now appreciate a brother who talks a good game----but has nothing to back it up. What has he truly done for you lately, what has he done for the country, what has he done for the children? Nothing!!!! But, he has been able to persuade you to vote for him by slamming on the table the race card.
Wake up and stop the nonsense---as our country's future is truly at stake. George Bush will hand a horrific nightmare to whomever wins the election---and this nightmare will not go away if the person who wins the White House has not experience or past performance that can conquer this ill.
I will vote for experience and proof of performance any day over talk. And if you were true to yourself and sincerely about ensuring that a future will be present for the many innocent children, so would you!!!
Posted by John Michael | February 14, 2008 9:16 PM
Please change your mind and be on the right side of History.
Support a real Democratic movement! real change.
Please look to the future!
This country cannot afford any more business as usual and any more divisiveness. The issues are too critical. Change has to happen.
Hillary Clinton has run a discusting dirty campaign.
Here's the full "60 Minutes" exchange, in CBS's version:
“You don't believe that Senator Obama's a Muslim?” Kroft asked Sen. Clinton.
“Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that,” she replied.
“You said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not…a Muslim. You don't believe that he's…,” Kroft said.
“No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know,” she said.
“It's just scurrilous…?” Kroft inquired.
“Look, I have been the target of so many ridiculous rumors, that I have a great deal of sympathy for anybody who gets, you know, smeared with the kind of rumors that go on all the time,” Clinton said.
Here's the link:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Taking_Obama_at_his_word.html
We know what the carefully coded language is meant to convey.
Please do not support this kind of politics and the further tactics I'm sure will surface.
Posted by Arthur Bremmer | March 5, 2008 2:13 PM
As a Nutter supporter...I am really upset about this endorsement. Clinton will be a disasterous president. If Clinton wins the democratic nomination...I will not vote and will most likely change my party to independent. Clinton will do ANYTHING it takes to win. She doesnt care about the American people...she only cares about her political dynasty. Bill will be taking any crisis call that comes into that white house and intelligent people know that. Barack has MORE legislative experience that Clinton. She hasn't done anything. Look it up yourself at the library of congress. She didn't prepare her campaign for past the 2/5 primaries. She ASSUMED it would all be over on that date and she would be crowned the queen of the democrats. What a fool!!!! Is that how well she will prepare this country as president? Don't believe her hype people. Get the facts!!!
Posted by Christine | March 7, 2008 8:55 PM
The previous post by John Michael is somewhat ridiculous. This is not a race issue, but an issue of citizens seeking to have a clean break from the politics as usual in Wash. I personally see no change from our current administration if Hillary would be elected.
She cries about her lifelong experience as the major factor. Guess what...McCain has more experience than Hillary & in fact Hillary pointed this out! So if Obama is not the Dem. nominee based solely upon Super Delegate votes, then it would seem that she should lose to McCain on her stance that we need someone with more experience.
My vote is for Obama solely based upon Hillary's past and in noting that she admitted to not reading the Inteeligence Report that was used in the vote to go to war with Iraq. She based her vote upon what her staff told her from their understanding of the Flawed Inteeligence report. Frankly, this is not the person I want to answer the phone at 3AM to make decisions for me and my country.
Bush Sr. (4 yrs.) Bill (8 yrs.) Bush the Idiot (8 yrs.) Hillary?? I personally want a break from both of these two families. It's bad enough to hear her flip flop on NAFTA and now to hear Rendell speak so highly of her makes me think Ed is pushing for a cabinet position in her Administration. Makes sense since he is a lame duck Gov. His last move will be to sell the PA Tpk. to a foreign corp for 99 yrs and make I-80 a toll road to bail out SEPT every 4 yrs. Plus maybe a bit going towards road & bridge repair.
I personally feel that these elected officials in PA should keep their big ass mouth's shut until after the PA primary and see what the voters themselves think of these candidates, rather than trying to sway them to the darkside for their own personal gains.
If Hillary is nominated due to these super delegates, I will take Hillary's advise and vote for the person with the most experience at that point...John McCain!
Btw...odd how it was reported that Hillary had known of all Bill's affairs and even had these women investigated in order to smear them if they came public. Doesn;t say too much about her Marriage as anything more than a political platform for both her and Bill. If she had divorced Bill, I may have had respect for her. She has no family morals IMHO.
Look at the big picture too...Pelosi and Reid working with Clinton? No checks and balances! In fact Pelosi and Reid cave in to everyone...two more useless elected idiots...just look at FISA to be renewed by the House, as it’ll mean that all of the lawsuits that exist now against the telecommunications company that the customers have been winning in court, on the grounds that what the telecoms did was legal, will all be—disappear. They’ll just go away forever. And because Congress hasn’t investigated what the President has done, and because the media has been virtually inactive in doing so, that’ll mean that the last hope for finding out how the Bush administration spied on us for all those years will be just completely abolished, and we’ll lose the ability to find out what our government did for all those years in breaking the law and in spying on us. That’s the real reason the White House wants this bill, and that’s what the Congress is about to do, is to hand the President the ability to conceal that behavior for years and years and years.
No wonder some want Hillary.
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