The Larry Kane Report

At this point of the wild Philadelphia Mayoral campaign, I am absolutely stunned at how ego has shaped this race. Big time ego has put several candidates in questionable status.

Let’s start with Chaka Fattah. This is a man I have known for almost 30 years. He’s smart, knows the city and has been able to light up and invigorate voters. Yet, during this campaign, he has repeatedly ignored adviser’s advice to run a real citywide campaign, and modernize his message. But what we got from this talented guy is a mixture of promises, promises about one issue -erasing poverty. It is idealism at its best, but in a practical sense, Philadelphians are more interesting in cutting crime with hard tactics. It has been a hard campaign for Fattah and his desperation showed at the final TV debate.

Tom Knox ran strong until his record was attacked. You’ve got to take the hits in a campaign and get some thick skin for the long haul. Sources say that his recent demeanor, and his shrill threat to Bob Brady to kick his posterior, was part of a frustration that began when Knox’s easy ride was rained on by tough attacks on his record. Ask Bill Clinton or John McCain – you don’t get rattled when the road becomes bumpy. Suddenly the carefully shielded Knox of the famous commercials looked a little less majestic. Ignoring adviser’s advice, he tended to lose his cool in the public encounters. But he may still be able to salvage his performance.

The other three have listened carefully. Dwight Evans, inspired by Philly political legend Bill Miller, has run a consistent campaign with no gaffes. Although he trails, he has stood his ground.

Bob Brady would not allow his campaign to go after Knox in the early going. That’s because Brady is the gentleman of the bunch. something that went unnoticed by the editorial writers. Whatever the outcome, he will remain king of the political community in Philadelphia.

Michael Nutter did something that was hard for Michael Nutter to do. Fiercely independent, Nutter listened to his advisers, including master message and advertising talent Neal Oxman. But it was his campaign chairman Dick Hayden and personal friends like John Saler who have kept him on track.

I don’t know if this will come true next Tuesday. But candidates who are steady, stable, and issue-oriented, usually have a happy ending. Dwight Evans didn’t catch on, but he hasn’t hurt himself.

Michal Nutter connected with voters and never strayed from his message.

Now, at the final turn, the fab five faces the finish line and the truth.

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