John Street Anti-Nutter Action May Propel Nutter To Victory
Mayor John Street (or someone at his house) slams the door on an Inquirer reporter the other night, and goes on a minor rant as he refuses to answer questions that he tried to raise funds for ads to damage Mayoral frontrunner Michael Nutter.
Street is the most unusual politician in town. Talented and savvy, he has still refused to be a great communicator in the last seven years. Like a man on an island, he has not listened to advisers and has garnered a depressing voter approval rate because he has stubbornly resented the part of his job that is most important – communicating with the people.
Now, he may have committed a great political blunder.
His trusted adviser Shawn Fordham has confirmed that the Mayor has made calls to help fuel an anti-Nutter movement.
What a blunder this could be!
Street has little political clout and now, in the final hours of a hotly contested race to take his place, he goes after Nutter.
This reporter believes it may actually bring more votes to Nutter. For Tom Knox this news is bad news on the doorstep. Knox has been trying to narrow the gap, whatever that gap is, and now Hizzoner makes Michael Nutter a hero by trying to stop him.
I have always admired the Mayor’s determination, but at the same time, I have disdained his absolute refusal to understand the ramifications of his actions.
Bob Brady, who will always be the all star powerbroker-healer, must be shaking his head, along with Chaka Fattah. Fattah has been trying to chip away at Nutter, but the Mayor is not helping him.
INCIDENTALLY, WATCH BRADY’S ELECTION DAY STREET OPERATION. IT COULD SURPRISE A LOT OF PEOPLE.
And Dwight Evans, perhaps running last, still knows that when the fat lady sings, he will remain the most powerful Philadelphian in the state legislature.
There is something that all the candidates can take from the John Street lesson in not winning friends and influencing people: If you win, how you communicate your goals can make you a great Mayor. Use your power wisely. When you start losing your power, do not be vindictive.
Comments(1)
I was watching TV last night there was an endorsement by Ed. Rendell for Tom Knox,with a jab at Michael Nutter.Personaly I am not for Nutter or Knox,but I do remember Ed.Rendell supporting John Street during his campaign.We all know what a great idea that turned out to be.(sarcasim)