Post Election Day Analysis

In this entry the staff at Ross Associates would like to Comment on the Elections that took place on November 6, 2007. Below you will find discussion of the Mayoral, City Council and Judicial races for this year. The staff was asked to respond to the 17 questions listed below.


Mayoral Election Day


1. Was the general election for mayor of Philadelphia a mere formality? Did Al Taubenberger have a chance?

Billy: It was a mere formality but Al did better than expected.

Heidi: Michael Nutter’s experience as a Councilman, his vision to make Philadelphia safer, his ability to stay above the food fight during the Primary, and his deep love for Philadelphia catapulted him into Room 215 City Hall. Al Taubenberger’s slogan “Vote for Al…He’s a good guy,” is quite true. Al is a good guy. But 21st century Philadelphia needs more than a good guy to survive the problems that face 21st century urban environments. Philadelphia is getting crushed under the weight of our own citizens playing Jesse James, Wild Bill Hickok (and any other gun-toting outlaw you’ve seen in the movies) running amok with handguns and anger…..a proven deadly combination.

Sharell: I have to agree with Heidi, with his vast experience and his excellent campaign it easy to see why Michael Nutter won this election. I really appreciated the advertisements with his daughter in them. I'm guessing that due to a lack of funding, Al Taubenberger wasn’t able to promote himself as adequately as many would have liked. We really didn’t hear a lot about Al, and his website was terrible. Philadelphia needs a mayor that will take our issues seriously and I think Michael Nutter reflected that he was the best candidate for the job.

Darisha: It was a mere formality. AI has a pleasant disposition, which at one point I thought he was really going to take his candidacy serious. Michael Nutter was the best candidate. He was a serious candidate.

2. What do you think are the top five priorities Mayor-elect Michael Nutter needs to address upon entering office?

Billy:

1. Address joblessness
2. Increase regional business opportunities
3. Declare war on illegal guns and violence
4. Deal with Union hiring of minority citizens and Philadelphians
5. Increase his personal security


Heidi: Contrary to what most people think, Philadelphia does not have a crime epidemic, it has a murder epidemic. So, obviously public safety must be the priority. Following that, public education, economic development, job training and civic pride/morale.

Sharell: Definitely the murder rate. I think that in terms of economic development and any other progress in the city, the murder rate really hinders everything. I don’t think that Businesses are going to create major operations in a city with one of the top murder rates in the country. Once the Murder rate is addressed, everything else can be addressed.

Darisha:
1. Jobs
2. Retaining graduates to remain in the city after graduation
3. Addressing the recession in the city. Crimes are rising because poverty is rising.
4. City Contracts expiration: Police, Fireman & City workers are demanding contract renewal & benefits.
5. Creating an economy for Philadelphians to live, work & feel safe.


3. In an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News Mayor-elect Michael Nutter stated that an audit of the Philadelphia School District would be called and that he plans to return the school district to city Control. Do you feel this audit is necessary and that it will benefit the children of Philadelphia?


Billy: I believe an audit of the school and every other agency that receives public and private money is necessary. We must find better ways to support public education and minimize corporate waste.

Heidi: For full disclosure, Ross Associates represents the School Reform Commission for strategic communications purposes.
With that said, audits of public agencies are never a waste of time and money. But the City Controller is charged with auditing the School District on an annual basis so unless the audit is new and different or more in-depth, why do it?

Sharell: I think an audit might aid the school district in reaching its economic goals and pushing more of the funding to go to the needs of the students.

Darisha: The Mayor will have a full plate during his first three years in this administration. It’s a public agency but I don't want to see an audit at this present time. The city is not in any position to regain control of the district at this time.

4. What message would a republican need to communicate in order to have a chance at winning the next Philadelphia Mayoral election ( please keep in mind that it has been nearly 60 years since a republican ruled city hall and city democrats outnumber republicans 4 to 1)

Billy: A message of inclusion and explain that party lines many times stifle the best ideas. If a candidate can restore hope, people will vote republican. Just look at Arlen Specter.

Heidi: While Philadelphia is mainly a Democratic city, we’ve seen in 1999 and 2003 a Republican candidate come very close to winning City Hall. Many voters today look at the individual and not so much which political party he or she represents. Voting the party is more about saving patronage than it is about the individual running for office.

Sharell: I think that a republican would have to take a page out of the Democratic candidates for president’s book and emphasize change. Regardless of the political party or affiliations that one might have, in the end we all want our city to change for the better. A republican candidate would have to emphasize the deficiencies a lot of the democrats have had in the past and show areas in which he or she would make it better.

Darisha: The republican would need to communicate how business gets done effectively under our leadership. But they would have to trim access salaries, spendings & some of the perks under their leadership. Individuals are tired of Democrats & despise Republicans because of the state of the Country.

5. How would you describe the organization and execution of each of the mayoral candidates’ overall campaign? In what areas were they lacking? In what areas could they have improved their campaign strategies?

Billy: Al's campaign was all fluff and no substance…………Nutter should not change his campaign strategy at all.

Heidi: Michael Nutter never stopped following his Primary win. He spent every weekend with a coalition of volunteers cleaning sections of the city. He was the chosen victor and it was assumed by voters that the November election was just the formality.
On the other hand, no one got to know Al Taubenberger during the Primary and he never had the money to reach most voters during the General. He was never able to increase his name recognition to the level that a Mayoral candidate needed.

Sharell: Although he had limited funding, It really seemed as if AL Taubenberger had a nonchalant attitude when it came to his campaign. Overall Michael Nutter’s campaign strategy was extremely effective.

Darisha: Nutter's campaign was great. I received daily emails with updates, events, fundraisers, & when he was going to be in my neighborhood. I listened to his message all of the time & he was a serious candidate who fulfilled his dream. He's wanted to be mayor for at least 5 years. Al is a great candidate & he's not serious about what he believes. I didn't feel like laughing I want to feel what he stood for and believed and he didn't display it at all.

6. Will Mayor-elect Michael Nutter, be able to live up to the promises that were made prior to the election?

Billy: I think Nutter will be great and exceed expectations

Heidi: Michael Nutter is a doer. He never came to City Council unprepared, and will absolutely have a plan for working with City Council, the General Assembly and the citizens of Philadelphia to turn his promises into realities.

Sharell: I think that if his plans are as thought out effectively as he made it seem prior to becoming Mayor, then he will be able to live up to them.

Darisha: Nutter had been working like an elected official before he was elected to City Council. He's a very hard worker. He's bright, strategic, and he pays attention. He must convince Philadelphians to change the way they think and get things done. That's the thing that concerns me, Philadelphians adjusting to change and he's an out of the box thinker. He'll be able to get things done.

City Council
7. A large concern for a number of the members of City Council is the Business Privilege tax. Do you feel that changes to the business privilege tax will increase the amount of business growth in Philadelphia and allow businesses to employ more citizens of Philadelphia?

Billy: I think this will help Philly. I think Nutter’s plan for hiring ex cons will do wonders for our business climate………….can you say Out Of the Box………..this type of thinking always attracts the best and brightest

Heidi: Yes. And it may actually get done now under Mayor-elect Nutter.

Sharell: Philadelphia has the potential for so much growth I think that altering the business privilege tax will greatly benefit the city.

Darisha: Yes and since Nutter was involved with Tax Reform Commission in the early stages and that's been his platform it'll be successful.

8. Was it surprising to see which candidates actually won an at large seat?

Billy:I was pleasantly surprised to see David Oh

Heidi: No. The Democrats were a done deal. We knew the race for one of the Republican seats would be between Jack Kelly and David Oh. The fact that the race is too close to call surprises me.

Sharell: I would have to agree with Heidi, in researching the candidates I found that most political experts had already made up their minds on who would take what position. With the slight exception of David Oh, most of their predictions were right.

Darisha: I was surprised about David Oh & the close race.


9. In an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News Councilman James F. Kenney, stated that his main priority in his first year of office as a member of council would be to create the 311 call center in Philadelphia. Additionally CouncilmanFrank DiCicco mentioned a need for the 311 system. Do you feel that this call center would be an effective way to improve the quality of life in Philadelphia?

Billy: I agree we need this desperately.

Heidi: Absolutely. You can’t be a world-class city without utilizing technology to more efficiently and effectively service its citizens. A 311 call center should have been done years ago. The benefits would pay for the cost tenfold.

Sharell: I'm interested to see how that would work. I think it would benefit the city to a small degree.

Darisha: Yes, I just want to see how much its going to cost and that also means more jobs. I would love to see how long its going to take. I don't want the Council persons to drag their feet with this system.

10. Is there a Councilman or Council woman whose campaign really emphasized a dedication to increased police and increased economic opportunities? Many of the candidates for City Council have supported an increase in police patrol throughout the city as well as providing economic opportunities for ex-offenders and those living in poverty.

Billy: Not really but Michael Nutter emphasized this.

Heidi: I couldn’t say. I didn’t attend any of the Council forums and didn’t see any ads except for Jack Kelly and David Oh. I imagine all the candidates emphasized the need to increase police presence. The ex-offender bill was Wilson Goode, Jr.’s with support from Mayor-elect Nutter.

Darisha: I couldn't say. I'm aware that Nutter wants to increase police presence throughout the city.

11. Out of the two issues, increase police patrol and increase economic opportunities for citizens, which issue do you feel should be of greater priority to City Council?

Billy: Increase economic opportunities

Heidi: If you increase real economic opportunities for people, the crime rate is likely to decrease proportionate to the number of people who have sustainable income.

Sharell: Id have to agree that economic opportunities will make a serious difference in the community, however more support for the police department will be needed in order to grab hold of the murder epidemic.

Darisha: I feel if you increase the economic opportunities for individuals, the crime will decrease. It's opportunities of employment with benefits that's the key insurance and how will an individual take care of their family if there's no potential for growth in a company.

12. In terms of advertising and print campaigns which of the Councilmen do you feel ran a successful campaign and implemented an effective marketing plan?

Billy: David OH was the best hands down followed by Green and Kelly.

Heidi: As a challenger, David Oh had to increase name recognition, define himself and give people a reason to vote for him. He advertised early with full-page ads and a clear message. Jack Kelly skillfully used third party endorsers in his print ads, and I have to say, the one with the cat was wonderful. Jack defined himself in Council as a protector of animals, but even if you didn’t know that, the little cat’s face with the words “Jack saved my life” told a strong story about him as an individual.

Sharell: I liked the Jack Kelly ad with the Cat too but in the end David Oh was victorious.
Darisha: Jack Kelly, Bill Green & David Oh because I read there messages daily.

City Commissioner

13. What strategies should the elected city commissioners implement to ensure a large number of voters turn out for the next election?

Billy: They should work all the time to support grassroot voter education initiatives. That office needs to have a presence on more than election day.

Heidi: That’s a great question and one that many of us have been asking. I have no idea what motivates people to go to the polls. Clearly it’s not a priority for Philadelphians.

Sharell: I was surprised to hear how many voters didn’t even know when the election took place. An article in the Inquirer mentioned that one woman thought that the primaries in May were the only elections she had to worry about. I think creating better awareness would aid in an increased voter turnout.

Darisha: The City Commissioners would be effective if they purge the voter file. There needs to be an updated informational database of Philadelphian voters. Voters rights, responsibilities and legal should be addressed a monthly or weekly city wide forums with block captains, committee persons, neighbors and ward leaders. There communicative message needs to be if you don't want the following to happen to you....You should vote and here's where you can do it...Please call....


14. What do you think are the reasons for the record low voter turn out in Philadelphia?

Billy: Voter apathy and turned off by government

Heidi: Much the same as I stated above. Many people checked out after the Primary because they assumed that no Republican, let alone one with a low profile and no public record, could beat Michael Nutter. It’s still our responsibility as citizens to vote. Perhaps if the government threatened to revoke that right, people would take notice.

Sharell: I do think that that many of the people in Philadelphia thought that Michael Nutter had pretty much won, so there was no need to turn out.

Darisha: Individuals don't care about anything but themselves so why vote or become a part of a process that's doesn't affect them. Voters are reading articles about political scandals, pay-to-play, salaries patronage and are fed up. There's no pride or sense of urgency to vote for anything these days.

Judges

15. In terms of Retention for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court judges do you feel that the controversy surrounding law makers pay raises in 2006 affected Saylor’s campaign? How do you feel about him being retained?

Billy: I actually did not follow his campaign at all and know nothing about it

Heidi: The pay raise issue was such a long time ago that no one was really focused on it this election. I don’t know much about him so I can’t comment.

Sharell: The pay raise issue really didn’t seem to come up at all when it came time for the elections. Saylor received 66 % of the vote so it really showed that a lot of the citizens of Pennsylvania either forgot or didn’t pay attention to the pay raise issue.

Darisha: I don't know much so I can't comment

16. Are you surprised or disappointed by the results of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections? Which candidates did you think would more than likely take the seats: Michael L. Krancer, Republican Maureen Lally-Green, Democrats Seamus P. McCaffery and Debra Todd of Butler County, and why?

Heidi: Democrats were worried that if the city turned out a low percentage of voters, the statewide Democratic candidates would suffer. It’s interesting that the two Democrats won rather easily.

Sharell: Yes the city turn out was a concern but in the end I guess that didn’t matter, because the democrats still won.

Darisha: I looked at the primary results, so I wasn't surprised at any of the results.

17. Are you surprised or disappointed by the results of the Pennsylvania Superior Court elections? Which candidates did you think would more than likely take the seats: Christine Donohue, Ron Folino , John Milton Younge, Cheryl Allen, Bruce Bratton or Jackie Shogan, and why?

Billy: I was disappointed by John Milton Younge’s loss…..it was terrible that our turnout was so low that Philly did not help in a statewide race…………

Heidi: Now you’re asking details that I can’t answer. I don’t know any of the judges. I’ve looked at some literature, but have to rely mostly on the Bar Association’s and the media’s endorsements for assistance. I’d much rather have merit selection and not elect judges at all. Most individuals don’t know enough about the judicial candidates’ qualifications and records to elect judges.

Sharell : Yes, once again it seems like the political experts guessed this one correctly as well, so no surprises here.

Darisha: I wasn't surprised at John Younge results because of the position and its county wide. Philadelphian voters ie: African American voters had to participate in the election in large numbers and since its not the Presidential I assumed it was not going to be favorable for him. The interesting thing about Cheryl Allen is she's an African American woman and she's been working and advocating for years so I wasn't surprised she won.

Voters in the general election are able to vote for both parties while in the voting booth, but many individuals still just pull the straight Democrat or Republican lever. That is why I enjoy November election because I have the chance to participate in both Democratic and Republican.