Another Potential Mayor:

Thus far, only Michael Nutter has declared his candidacy for the 2007 mayoral race. Tom Knox is running, but has no officially declared. The remaining four potential candidates, Fattah, Dougherty, Saidel and Evans have not declared, but it is widely expected they will, in fact, run. But, is another candidate on the horizon? According to philly.com, Congressman Bob Brady is thinking about a run for the executive position. My question, more than an actual comment is, what would this do to progressive politics, and ultimately, Philadelphia politics? Check the article out here.

I will not comment on Congressman Brady's ability as a leader. I may disagree with him on some issues and what the role an elected official should play, but in terms of policy, I really do not know much about where he stands. I do know he leads the Democratic City Committee and is, for all intensive purposes, the main political power broker in this town. I also know that the last two presidential elections in Pennsylvania went blue thanks (in part) to turnout in Philly, which I guess in some way is partly due to his efforts.

In terms of what this means, however, I am not entirely sure. Is it good? Bad? I have thought about all of these things. On the one hand, there are a number of candidates out there who are without question deserving. On the other hand, Congressman Brady is an enigma to me. Partly because of City Committee's unwillingness to embrace young activists, I am inclined to give a thumbs down. But, I consider myself an open person. So, on this issue, what do you all think?

A Gun Violence Summit

Related to that: a few weeks ago on this very site, I mentioned how someone needed to do something about gun violence in this town. Apparently, this speculation is fueled by a summit of local leaders he organizing to deal with gun violence. The meeting will be closed-door. According to Brady:

"There's going to be a big box at the door, and I want everybody to check their egos when they come in," he said. "I don't want anybody posturing. We have to work together."

Invitees include Mayor Street , Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, City Council President Anna Verna, state Sen. Vince Fumo, House Speaker John Perzel, Cardinal Justin Rigali, the Rev. James Moore, president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, among others. With the respectful exception of Cardinal Rigali and Rev. Moore, I guess you can see why an "ego-box" is needed. I think my invitation was lost in the mail, but I will patiently wait.

His potential mayoral aspirations aside, if Congressman Brady can get this brain trust to work together and figure something out, that is great and a plus to his credibility. Ultimately, the real effects of this meeting are not in anyone's mayoral bid, but on people's children.