Reprinted from today's print edition...
Digital eyebrows jumped when Mayor-elect Michael Nutter wrote an Inquirer opinion piece last week defending the congressional record and Democratic Party leadership of U.S. Rep. Bob Brady.
Did it signal that Nutter wasn't interested in reforming the city Democratic Party? Had he cut some deal with Brady? Those and other questions were raised at Young Philly Politics, a discussion blog favored by progressives who would like to see big changes in the city Democratic Party.
So how about it, mayor-elect?
"Reforming the party is a priority for me, and I don't think people should try to read any tea leaves or read too much into the letter," Nutter said Thursday from New York, where he was attending the annual Pennsylvania Society political pow-wow.
Nutter said that he and Brady had talked, in general terms, about making the party more transparent and more inviting to outsiders. Nutter said Brady "expressed an openness to making changes."
Brady didn't answer a phone message seeking comment. He has occasionally reached out to the city's young progressives, including attending a breakfast meeting last year. So far, those contacts haven't led to much.
Asked what specific reforms he'd like to see, Nutter said the party ought to have an open process for choosing which candidates to support. He also proposed training for would-be candidates, stepped-up recruiting of candidates and committee members, and a guest speaker program. Asked about the shakedown that judicial candidates are subjected to by some ward leaders, Nutter said he'd prefer that judges not be elected.
"These are the kinds of issues I intend to have discussions with the chairman about," Nutter said.
Told of Nutter's remarks, blogger and political activist Ray Murphy said: "Those plans aren't as detailed as I'd like, but it's good to hear he's thinking about this."
Comments (15)
Ray Murphy's a tool. I really don't care what he thinks about anything.
Posted by Anonymous | December 10, 2007 10:58 AM
Posted on December 10, 2007 10:58
Its uncalled for to say Ray Murphy's a tool. He has a certain political alliance with the Fattah faction of the local Democratic machine. In other words, Nutter could water Murphy's plants and tend to his lawn and the YPP Blogger cum hired Fattah mouthpiece would be saying the same rhetoric.
Posted by Patricio | December 10, 2007 11:42 AM
Posted on December 10, 2007 11:42
By the way Mr Kerkstra, why no mention that Ray Murphy was hired by the Philly For Fattah organization? Also that the Fattah camp has just recently put up a candidate against Brady in the upcoming primary?
Posted by Patricio | December 10, 2007 11:46 AM
Posted on December 10, 2007 11:46
do you really think Nutter would come and water my plants?
I love anonymous commenters, we don't allow them anymore at YPP, but viva la difference!
I have been a part of a group pushing for reform to the Dem party long before i worked for Fattah, and I have not been working for him now longer than I was.
The election is over, get over it.
Posted by Ray Murphy | December 10, 2007 12:45 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 12:45
Its amazing to me the jealousy that is rampant on this web site about a simple Political Action Committee. That's all the "Democratic Party" that Bob Brady is the Chairman. Anyone can start a committee, his just happens to be the best. They can chose who they wish to support just like any other committee. Candidates come to them, they dont go searching for candidates. If someone doesnt like how they select the candidates they support, let them support other candidates. Dont all trade unions endorse candidates, how are they selected, why isnt their selection process more public. Remember the Democratic Executive Committee has a process, if you want to become part of their process then lets see you volunteer.
Posted by Joe Democrat | December 10, 2007 2:24 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 14:24
By the way, far from being the "Party Boss" Bob Brady is more like the Party Mediator. Bosses tell others what to do, you will never find a situation where Bob Brady EVER told anyone to support or not support a particular candidate, he merely tries to obtain a consensus from a majority of the other members of the political action committee.
Posted by Joe Democrat | December 10, 2007 2:26 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 14:26
Ray, I don't know if you took my words the wrong way and thought they were insulting. Unless of course you find working for Fattah or having a mayor-elect do gardening for you as being degrading.
On the issue of anonymous posters on YPP, my understanding is if someone vaguely mentions something that the majority of posters don't agree with, they're banned. Is this true?
To Joe Democrat, the reason a number of people have a problem with Brady is a high percentage of his family have been given nice cozy gov't jobs. He also doesn't have a grasp that patronage is a bad thing. He also had virtually the entire support of the ward leaders in the mayorial primary due to his...influence.
Posted by Patricio | December 10, 2007 2:55 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 14:55
Yeah Ray, the election's over. Get over it.
Posted by Anonymous | December 10, 2007 3:12 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 15:12
Does PA law permit a referendum to determine whether judges should be appointed, rather than elected as at present?
If approved, the result would probably be a significant improvement in the quality of PA's judiciary and the elimination of a distasteful selection process.
Posted by Harry Covair | December 10, 2007 8:23 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 20:23
Does PA law permit a referendum to determine whether judges should be appointed, rather than elected as at present?
If approved, the result would probably be a significant improvement in the quality of PA's judiciary and the elimination of a distasteful selection process.
Posted by Harry Covair | December 10, 2007 8:23 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 20:23
Patricio, how dare you raise legitimate questions to these buffons. It's quite obvious that Heard in the Hall and Kerkstra are nothing but a mouthpiece for YPP, and anyone that raises questions to them is an anonyomous troublemaker. Why else would he have to mention them on an almost daily basis? As far as Brady I guess JoeD considers him a mediator instead of the "Boss" because the idiot doesn't have the IQ to be a real boss. In 2-3 years when it becomes obvious to them that their savior Nutter is beholden to these thugs I wonder where they will turn next. Maybe to the son of the Mad Bomber/murderer in their buddy WWGjr ;-)
Posted by Tom | December 10, 2007 10:21 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 22:21
Ray, you buffon, you were supposed to water my garden, and you didn't. Now the plants are dead. Thanks a lot.
Posted by Dan U-A | December 10, 2007 10:28 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 22:28
Ray, not everyone cares who you supported or worked for. in fact, very few do. but that you feel full enough of yourself to tell our next mayor that he's not acting at a fast enough pace for you on an issue that few people think is the most pressing issue facing the city weeks before he is even sworn is presumptious to say the least.
Posted by WardWatcher | December 10, 2007 10:32 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 22:32
Tom, anonymous buffons like yourself are just hard to take seriously.
Please, when you water my plants, pay extra attention to the begonias. They need extra care, and when Nutter was watering them, they almost didn't make it.
Posted by Dan U-A | December 10, 2007 11:40 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 23:40
Ray Murphy is a Blackwell/Fattah mouthpiece so his take on this is clowded at best. Besides, anyone who anonymously trolls the net in search of ??????????? can't be trusted.
Posted by Mark In Chestnut HIll | December 11, 2007 9:39 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 09:39