To refresh your memory, here is an excerpt from a December 12th blog post:
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?
I figured I'd point that out before someone else did. So now that Pennsylvania's Democratic primary may actually mean something, I'll pose the question again but in a slightly different way. What does Nutter's endorsement of Clinton mean for her chances here in Philadelphia where a huge percentage of the state's Democratic voters live?
Ben Smith of Politico.com wrote a little about the "Pennsylvania Scenario" yesterday, before the results were in:
Then, in the perhaps unlikely scenario that both candidates survive that day — and that the 796 Democratic Party officials who cast independent votes as “superdelegates” don’t flood, en masse, to a perceived front-runner — campaigns come face to face with the Pennsylvania Scenario.
Pennsylvania’s primary, on April 22, offers the last big cache of delegates. It is preceded by six primary-free weeks, which would force the campaigns to turn the states into another Iowa. The candidates and their press entourages would relocate to the state en masse and re-run the campaign: Obama could find a clear base of support among the African-Americans and white professionals in Philadelphia, while Clinton has the support of the state’s establishment, led by Gov. Ed Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.
To staffers and reporters worn out by the campaign trail, the Pennsylvania Scenario is a bit of a nightmare. To Pennsylvanians, it’s a dream.
Yes, a dream. Six weeks of Obama and Clinton ads on television. The candidates and their surrogates will visit every diner, barber shop, shopping mall, town square, and nursing home. The term "WaWa" may actually make it into the national consciousness. And, yes, the cheesesteak could make its triumphant return. Is this your dream?
And how about that? Nutter is part of the state's establishment. What a difference a year makes!
It's too bad Nutter threw down so early for Clinton. Imagine the kind of cool stuff he could have gotten out of the eventual winner if he had waited and then - and this is important - backed that person.
So let's catch our breath, get back to Philly's issues and get ready to grill both of those candidates on each and every nuance of those issues. Yes, it may be time again to ask what we can do for our country, but it's also fair to ask what our country can do for our city.
Comments (18)
Am I reading correctly about it being a bad decision Nutter threw down so early for Hill-Bill
Clinton and Clinton has the support of the state's establishment led by Ed Rendell. Wow :-)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/02/05/2008-02-05_obama_girl_hits_new_york.html
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 6, 2008 2:46 PM
Nutter definitely jumped the gun with his endorsement. I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of his base (people who voted for Nutter in the primary) will go for Obama. He has to know this. I think he'll play it cool and not spend too much time out on the stump. Or so I hope.
Posted by Roman | February 6, 2008 3:19 PM
Hey Roman :
I'm not feeling Hill-Bill or Nutter and his vast majority base of people.
Eight years of the Clinton's varied recommendations are history.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 6, 2008 3:29 PM
Well, as someone commented on Dec. 12th, Nutter was kind of stuck endorsing Clinton since Obama endorsed Chaka Fattah during the mayoral primary. Now, I voted for Nutter, and plan to vote for Obama, but to tell you the truth, both of their endorsements make me a little wary.
Posted by Anony-Mouse | February 6, 2008 3:31 PM
I voted for Nutter, but would much rather vote in the Republican primary, as I'm not particularly impressed with either Clinton or Obama. Too bad it'll be over by April 22nd.
Posted by Anonymous | February 6, 2008 3:41 PM
If you don't mind me asking Anony-Mouse. Why do both endorsements make you very cautious.
I may have the same thoughts.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 6, 2008 3:47 PM
Hey Zeig, what language are you speaking?
Posted by Roman | February 6, 2008 3:47 PM
Come again Ro ?
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 6, 2008 3:56 PM
Am I crazy, or did Nutter actually endorse Obama at a high school forum during the primary? I seem to remember a question about who the next president would be and Nutter said "Obama."
Posted by Ben Waxman | February 6, 2008 4:46 PM
Here it is, the quote that'll haunt Nutter for the next couple months:
At a mayoral forum at Central High School in Philadelphia last February, each of the five Democrats running in the primary was asked to predict the next president.
Nutter's answer: "I'll go out on a limb. Sen. [Barack] Obama." His response triggered a round of applause and whoops from the young audience.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/12556696.html
Posted by Roman | February 6, 2008 5:53 PM
I am having a tough time reconciling Nutter's attitude on change and good government with his support of the Clintons and the baggage they carry. I am pretty sure that Philadelphia will go with Obama.
Even though our good mayor is not a super delegate, I see the problem of that group having such a tremendous influence on the nomination process without them giving the public the benefit of allowing the campaign a chance to unfold. Doesn't seem very democratic to me. Just more elitists nonsense.
Yeah, I think he jumped the gun on this one.
Posted by Kurt Eric Munroe | February 7, 2008 3:42 AM
it comes down to what Nutter thought would be politically expedient: endorsing Hillary cause he thought she'd win, vigorously supporting Brady as the party chair, reappointing Clarena Tolson as Streets Commissioner to avoid ruffling feathers despite the terrible job she's done, etc.
For those of us hoping for dramatic reform from Nutter, we're still anxiously waiting.
Posted by Anonymous | February 7, 2008 12:41 PM
Interesting article in today's Daily News in the Clout section of the paper > ' If Obama's the new JFK , he has a Jackie , too '.
Once Michelle Obama settles as the First Lady alongside her rhythmic equal Barack. America is going to take on a proud transformation.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 8, 2008 8:42 AM
Cold out-side today.. Man !!!
I was away over the weekend and quite interested if Obama surprised any of HillBill's enthusiastic rejoicers. Hillary the frontrunner has the lead in total delegates 1064 and only needing 961 to go to obtain the magic 2025 needed for victory. Man !! with Michael Nutter and Ed Rendell loving and embracing Hillary. Shucks Hillary should run through Maryland , Virgina and the District Of Columbia on Tuesday ( tomorrow ) like its nothing :-) .... Right !!!
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 11, 2008 9:25 AM
Taking a Bill Clinton stance on a person's race. Gov. Rendell may find out rather sooner than later if his realistic singled out comment that Pennsylvania white conservatives probably aren't ready to vote for Obama was the correct analysis to have appearing in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
My observation on Rendell's unfortunate attitude about certain parts of our American society may cause HillBill votes :-)
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 13, 2008 8:23 AM
What happens when you play with a matchbook ?
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/02/13/2008-02-13_latino_lawmakers_warn_hillary_clinton_ov-1.html
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 13, 2008 12:35 PM
It is what it is and Ed Rendell should move on with other task such as the open-records bill he signed today. Sadly Gov. Rendell has caused a rift among his supporters with the published remark ... conservative white voters in Pennsylvania are probably not ready to vote for an African American candidate. Its obvious Rendell was seeking to aid Sen. Clinton and somewhere within the organ of his speech it didn't come out as a appropriate employing order of information.
The penalty is Rendell's and J.Whyatt Mondesire and Lynn Swann aren't buying the presumption Rendell's comments weren't politically motivated.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | February 14, 2008 1:52 PM
Mayor Nutter is the most courageous Mayor in America. Just saw the mayor interview on ABC news.
He endorses Hillary
He is African American
he said he DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE LEFT REV WRIGHT'S CHURCH.
he like the rest of us cannot understand obama supporting wright who Nutter said crossed the line and went with hate speech
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4549699&page=1
Posted by Anonymous | March 29, 2008 9:01 PM