The Larry Kane Report

The revelation that the Pentagon doesn’t have enough armor for the Humvees in Iraq is extremely disturbing, especially considering that we are spending eight million dollars an hour on the battlefront.

What the heck does that say about the ability of the Pentagon to anticipate problems? If indeed these new bomb devices, apparently shipped by Iran, are in place, they may have been in place for a long time.

This bolsters my repeated contention that this group of war planners has grievously forgotten the number one priorioty – protect the troops ,whether its on the streets of Iraq or the often obvious neglect of soldiers who come home and try to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

This makes me very angry, considering that there is a  feeling by most Americans that we don’t belong there.

There’s another thing that’s bothering  me-  the contention by some including John McCain, who should know better, that those who proposed a withdrawal are not interested in “cut and run. They are interested in getting out of the street fights and the civil war, but keeping the troops in the region to be prepared for other options.

This attack on patriotic lawmakers is getting tired.

So are the excuses for not spending the money to protect our forces.

Lost in all the coverage of the Mayor’s race in Philadelphia is the clear fact that this is the most talented and diverse Democratic Mayoral field in years in Philadelphia. Here’s my early take on what I call the FAB FIVE. With the exception of Tom Knox, I know all of them well, and I’m beginning to get a sense of what rags to riches Knox is all about.

Here’s the field.

Bob Brady – Have you ever met Bob Brady in person? The guy looks like he can bench press 250 pounds and probably does. Wide-body Bob is also the personification of a hard-working man, and the only card-carrying member of a union in the U.S. Congress. Brady is at once healer, conciliator, and expert negotiator. Why anyone would want this job is a mystery, but the guy loves Philadelphia a lot more than he loves the Congress. He must be taken very seriously in this contest, and he will definitely make it a battle to remember.

Dwight Evans – The most savvy of the FAB FIVE when it comes to understanding legislative power. I mean, the guy is head of all appropriations in the Pa. House. Evans is the one emphasizing the crime battle every day. His suggestion to bring back John Timoney as top cop was a brilliant move. The man is intense and commited to changing the quality of life in Philadelphia. Don’t ever count him out!

Tom Knox — I have had several interesting phone conversations with Knox, who is determined to prevail. I think the guy is having the time of his life, and feels honored that City Council is moving along legislation to increase campaign spending just because he’s a big spender. If I were in the race, I would like to have Brady’s personality, Fattah’s experience, Evan’s desire, Knox’s money and Michael Nutter’s blossoming personality.

Michael Nutter – You can personally thank Michael Nutter for the smoking ban in Philadelphia, for campaign limits, and for a rejuvenated Convention Center. Nutter is very sharp, and keeps his eye on the prize, as he has for years. Blunt and edgy on the issues, he has tremendous support in the business community and holds the best hope of attracting diverse support. Will he have the money? Sources say he may be the best-financed candidate except for Knox.

Finally, the apparent frontrunner. Chaka Fattah – I changed this guy’s life when I introduced him to anchor Renee Chenault at the 1992 Democratic Convention. Who would know that someday they would be a husband and wife? Fattah has run well for State Representative, State Senator and Congress, and has a thick skin which could be a little thicker as he prepares for the onslaught. He knows the issues, especially education , and has made great strides in attracting business support, especially from Republicans. Fattah is apparently the frontrunner, but mark my word – this is still a wide open battle. But if a candidate wants to win, he’s going to have to battle hard against Fattah.

So, you may ask, why have I been so kind to the FAB FIVE?  Easy answer. Love em or leave em, it is the best and most informed field of Mayoral Candidates in the ten Mayoral elections I’ve covered.

The White House and Pentagon are getting savvy all of a sudden.

First the Nancy Pelosi 757 episode. The House Speaker, third in line for the Presidency, asked the Pentagon for a bigger than usual plane, one that doesn’t have to refuel, to fly her back to California and her home district. Congressional Republicans took aim at her lavish request, blistering her for making the request, even though former House Speaker Dennis Hastert had his own Air Force jet. The issue was the size of the plane. Hastert’s was a ten seater, but Pelosi, who has a three thousand mile commute, wanted a non stop flight.

Along comes a Pelosi ally on the matter — the White House. In what has to be considered a really classy action, the White House supported Pelosi’s requested, nuetralizing the request as a political issue.

Then along came General Peter Pace. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff bucked the ugly trend of accusing anti-war Congressmen and Senators of being unpatriotic. Pace applauded the Congress for exploring all aspects of the war, and said that it was important for our adversaries to understand the open nature of our system.

These are important comments in a time when the dividers have been having a field day attacking anyone with a different opinion but their own. It took a lot of guts for General Pace to be as direct on this issue, especially with the partisan divide that still lingers in Washington.

Speaker Pelosi may been wrong in seeking a bigger plane, but considering the excesses of the last 12 years, the Congressional Republicans had little weight behind them in attacking her. And the White House took the high road, as well as General Pace in supporting the rights of free expression during wartime.

The charges against powerful State Senator Vince Fumo have made the headlines this week, and the legal battle will be drawn out for months before it heads to a jury, but in the meantime, there could be some powerful ripples in several areas of public life.
Both Vince Fumo and his accusers will have their say in court, but whatever the outcome, the case has serious ramifications. First and foremost, politicians will check their files carefully to make sure any connections with non profit organizations are clear and uncomplicated. In addition, anyone who heads a foundation will take great pains to make sure that these tax-exempt non profits are operating without any questions concerning how the money is spent.

And then, there are the charities. Non profit organizations, many in need who depend on government help, will have to be more careful on applying for government grants. Politicians, in the states and in Washington, are powerful providers of grants and financial aid. Whether Fumo or the prosecutors prevail, there may be new scrutiny of the relationship between charitable organizations and elected officials.

There are prosecutions in the news that change the way people do business. One potent example is the FBI’s investigation of corruption surrounding City Hall in the last several years. Since the convictions in this case, routine city budgets and the award of contracts have received a more extensive review than they would have before the investigations began. The Street administration may deny it, but it is a fact of life that contracts are being given out more carefully. The airport, the scene of much of the scrutiny, is being watched very carefully.

In the meantime, expect Fumo’s attorneys to fight back with vigor and accusations. The charges are serious, but Fumo has never backed away from a battle. This time he is up against a U.S. Attorney, Patrick Meehan, who is not squeamish when it comes to alleged corruption. This one, in court and in the court of public opinion, will be one for the ages.

I’ve been watching the career of Pa. State Senator Vincent Fumo since 1970, and I have always been surprised by his political savvy and keen sense of how to use power. But I think he took it to a new level yesterday with his grim speech before the Pennsylvania Senate, announcing that he would step down as minority chief of the appropriations committee, in advance of what he knew to be federal charges against him. Fumo, always the crafty politician, says he will remain a Senator and give up the committee post, until, as he described it, “I am vindicated.”

In a sense, Fumo was trying to pre-empt an expected announcement of indictments that he expects will charge him with misusing monies from a non profit that he had created. The announcement helped him let his fellow Senators know beforehand exactly how he would handle a sticky political situation.

It also signalled the beginning of what will be a classic legal war, pitting Fumo’s attorney, the legendary Richard Sprague , against the team led by the most significant U.S. Attorney in recent area history, Patrick Meehan. Meehan is one of the most civilized and talented men ever to hold the office, and is a determined and skilled prosector.

Another issue is whether the case itself will discourage non-profits from seeking help from politicians.

So this is not just a case of a famous and powerful poltician in our region, but a pending legal action that may have ramifications for years to come.

Fumo is a major political power. If his power is diminished, even by an indictment alone, the case could have an impact on the five way race for the Democratic nomination for Mayor.

And there is also the potential that the charges that Fumo expects may lead prosecutors down other trails, if these charges are proven in court.

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