Mayoral endorsement
for November 1, 2007 edition:


Nutter for mayor

Let’s get right to it. We think Michael Nutter deserves the chance to be mayor and make Philadelphia a better place to live once more.
It’d be easier if the former city councilman were a slam-dunk, ironclad lock — an obvious and easy choice over his opponent — but he’s not, which is a good thing for voters.
His Republican challenger in Tuesday’s election, Al Taubenberger, a Northeast Philly boy through and through, is no slouch. Intelligent, affable and in tune with the issues, Taubenberger, currently president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, is a worthy opponent.
The campaigns that have been run by Nutter and Taubenberger are worth noting here. They have been gentlemen. They have been respectful of the city’s electorate by emphasizing issues and viewpoints, rather than being attack dogs who rely on wild accusations without substance, or manipulate statistics and sound bites in campaign literature that’s more fiction than fact. Their civil approach can only be good for the education of voters.
It’s interesting that some pundits on the political scene have pooh-poohed the campaign as too gracious — sort of like Oprah knocking heads with Kelly Ripa — and lacking fire, with neither candidate seizing an issue as his own or engaging in brawls that assert superiority, or even identity.
Until now, the cry had always been for an end to mud-slinging during campaigns and character assassinations that stretch the truth and obscure the issues, leaving voters dazed and confused. So go figure.
The Northeast Times’ endorsement of Michael Nutter for mayor of Philadelphia is influenced by more than just issues or pledges or strategies. They’re important, no doubt about it. But more than anything, perhaps, Nutter demonstrates a focused and sober determination of a man on a mission who knows full well that things have to change. Not that he expects to be anointed as Philadelphia’s savior, but he gives the impression that he’ll collapse trying.
For either Michael Nutter or Al Taubenberger (Socialist candidate John Staggs is also on the ballot), these are not the most carefree times to be mayor of Philadelphia. The honeymoon will be short. These are troublesome times that demand thoughtful policies.
These two candidates pretty much are in accord on their perception of the issues. Crime is getting scary. Taxes must be reduced. Existing businesses must be nurtured and new ones must be lured to the city. Jobs creation is critical to economic development. Young people need more programs in skills training. City government and the school district must improve their finances. And on it goes.
As they enter their polling places, when it comes to deciding between Nutter and Taubenberger, voters need only ask a basic question: Which candidate offers the better prospect of delivering swifter and effective change to the city?
It’s perfectly fine for Taubenberger to portray himself as an "outsider" who’d arrive at City Hall with no baggage or political debts to repay. The complex and weighty issues that face the city, however, don’t afford the luxury of a mayor who will require on-the-job training while tackling the matters at hand.
This is not to outright dismiss the Fox Chase resident’s political resume, which includes service as Democratic City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski’s liaison to the business community, chief of staff to current Republican Councilman at-large Jack Kelly when he was a district councilman in the late 1980s, as well as two unsuccessful runs this decade in the GOP primary for U.S. House of Representatives, but it is a daunting mission.
Nutter can go right to work. If he’s the "insider," that isn’t such a terrible virtue as the election nears — his nearly 15-year tenure as a city councilman in the diverse 4th district, his successful crusade for ethics reform in a city tarnished by shady politicians, his concrete ideas on how he’ll achieve his platform, and an overwhelmingly Democratic governing body that is likely to help make his visions reality will do much to smooth his transition.
Since his victory in May’s Democratic primary, Nutter has fostered a sense of optimism and high expectations in the city. He deserves the chance to revive Philadelphia, to pursue his game plan for neighborhood revitalization, chipping away at the oppressive wage and business-privilege taxes, opening the process of government to public input, pushing the state to assume a more equitable share in education funding, and undertaking the vital selection of a new police commissioner who can restore a sense of safety.
Al Taubenberger has waged an admirable campaign. He has been thoughtful and earnest, undaunted by the burdens of little campaign cash, a formidable sea of Democratic voters in our city, so-so name recognition and a woeful Republican Party that hasn’t seen a GOP mayor in Philly since the federal minimum wage was 40 cents an hour. (Answer to the trivia question: Bernard Samuel, 1948.)
So, with the Nov. 6 election at hand, we’ll put our chips on the promise of Michael Nutter. With the huge task at hand, voters aren’t expecting sudden miracles, but they are entitled to see tangible and meaningful progress in a return to better days in Philadelphia.
Michael Nutter offers that hope. ••

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