Under Editor Larry Platt, Philadelphia Magazine has been notable for its thoughtful coverage of politics. Now Platt might put down the (figurative) red pencil and join the fray.
Platt confirmed that he is considering running for Congress as a Democrat in the suburban 6th District, now represented by U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R., Pa.). He said he has met with U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, the Democratic chairman of Philadelphia, and Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Marcel Groen to discuss the possibility.
"As journalists we wring our hands and point out problems, but at a certain point you say to yourself, 'What are you going to do about it?'" said Platt, an Ardmore resident.
"It’s hard for me to stay on the sidelines, when my congressman is enabling the war in Iraq and some of the biggest deficits ever," Platt said. "Someone's got to hold these guys accountable, so it might as well be a constituent."
Gerlach, currently serving his third term in the House, has been on the Democrats' list of vulnerable Republican incumbents almost since he was elected in the swing district in 2002. He defeated Lois Murphy in 2004 and last year, in some of the most expensive congressional races in the country. Democrats have been searching for someone to saddle up again.
Platt said he's doing his "due diligence," talking to people whose political acumen he respects and has not made any decisions. (He also has not yet consulted with the DCCC, the Democratic Party's national congressional committee, which recruits and helps finance promising candidates.)
Hat tip to PoliticsPA, which first reported Platt's interest here http://www.politicspa.com.
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