John Street: Bad Judgment and Stalking Horse?
Philadelphia is known for its political wars. Personal feuds have been a fabric of life in the big city. But former Mayor John Street’s personal attacks in the media against Mayor Michael Nutter are embarrassing – to Street. Street and Nutter have long despised each other. They just can’t stand each other. It’s a relationship borne from years of feuding in City Council, and later, when Street became Mayor. It is wise that Nutter has mainly avoided striking back. It would demean his office.
It is ironic that Street attacks Nutter’s leadership style, because in comparison to the regime run by Street, it is a ray of sunshine. Nutter has his problems, but compared to Street as Mayor, Mike Nutter is a cakewalk. Street, a man of tremendous intellect, served like he was the last angry man. He never wanted input, derided the press for all his failings, and spoke angrily when anyone dare criticize his policies. John Street sometimes looked like he had a chip on his shoulder the size of a cheese steak. I never understood it. One time, I told him privately that he needed to give more access to the press. He said he would. But he turned into the most inaccessible Mayor in recent history. Despite that, on a personal basis, I liked him. Most of us in the media did like him. We respected his knowledge of government, and his love for Philadelphia.
Michael Nutter has no such respect for Street. And certainly Street’s attacks on him will just make it worse. Street’s suggestion that Nutter is not really a black Mayor are very divisive. The city needs more “bringing together” than “pulling apart.” Actually, the whole region needs that. It’s sad enough that White House aspirants like Newt Gingrich try to divide and conquer. We don’t need a former Mayor getting into that business.
Now, Street appears to be a stalking horse for Sam Katz who will make one final shot, we believe, at running for Mayor, this time, as a Democrat.
Nutter and Katz appeal to a similar constituency. If Mayor Street believes he can deliver the black vote to Sam Katz, he is deluding himself.
For his part, Katz is an appealing guy with great smarts. But having angry John Street on your side, with his current attacks on Nutter, might be a campaign killer.
In the meantime, it would be good if John and Mike could find a place to have lunch, and bury the hatchet. I would serve as moderator for that one. In fact, I would even buy.
Respect is something that former and current Mayors deserve.
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