Mayor Nutter - who has emerged as one of Clinton's chief surrogates over the last six weeks - is going to the wall for his candidate today. He's pressing the flesh with voters all over town, and it will be hard to avoid the mayor if you turn on the t.v. or radio today: CBS, MSNBC, NBC, Bloomberg, NPR and so on. It's no mystery why the Clinton campaign has put Nutter in such a high profile position: he's a youngish, reform-minded, African American mayor who is hugely popular in a city where Obama needs to do well to have a chance of winning the state. Of course Nutter gets something out of it to - a much larger national profile - as the Inquirer's Marcia Gelbart wrote earlier this month.
Where's Michael Nutters' base? Who is he so popular with? He won the primary with a vote split amongst five other candidates and then ran against a cardboard cut out in the election. He won't change one vote.— JLH- Disappointing to see Mayor Nutter support Clinton. Out of all the national attention and press that Philly and PA received, it was embarrassing that he and Rendell were trouncing around cleaning the carpet for Arkansas Hillary's footsteps. I am glad to see that Bob Casey Jr. gave proof that people in the State can vote for enlightened individuals. Casey did change votes.— psubrian
- I didn't vote for Nutter in the primary, I voted for Knox. I did vote for Nutter in the general election, and he has won me over. He seems really dedicated to changing some of the way things are done in this city. I work for the city, and he has done a lot of cracking down in certain departments. I for one, and not disappointed in Nutter. He seems to be making baby steps, but they're all the right steps. I'm willing to be a fan, and see what else he can do. And considering his stance on dirty politics in city hall, I find it hard to believe he'd align himself with Clinton if he didn't believe in her. He didn't win me over. I was already supporting her, but if felt good to be behind the same person my mayor was behind.— LeeBird
- I didn't vote for Nutter in the primary, I voted for Knox. I did vote for Nutter in the general election, and he has won me over. He seems really dedicated to changing some of the way things are done in this city. I work for the city, and he has done a lot of cracking down in certain departments. I for one, and not disappointed in Nutter. He seems to be making baby steps, but they're all the right steps. I'm willing to be a fan, and see what else he can do. And considering his stance on dirty politics in city hall, I find it hard to believe he'd align himself with Clinton if he didn't believe in her. He didn't win me over. I was already supporting her, but if felt good to be behind the same person my mayor was behind.— LeeBird
- I posted a comment stating that Nutters' perceived popularity wouldn't change a vote. Mysteriously it has been removed. Hmmmmmmm.— JLH
- You felt it was good to be behind the same person as your Mayor? What in the heck? Your vote shouldn't be tied to anyone. If your Mayor was a KKK, would you follow him as well?— atlmario
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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