Kevin Ferris

Kevin Ferris is the assistant editor of the Editorial Page at The Inquirer. He has been a news editor, a member of The Editorial Board and an editor of the celebrated Community Voices series at the newspaper.

His column "Back Channels" appears weekly, usually in the Currents section of the Sunday Inquirer.

Email Kevin at kferris@phillynews.com

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a campaign stop in Omaha, Neb., Thursday, May 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Presidents’ pasts catch up with them

Kevin Ferris

Posted 05/18/2012

See if you can distinguish the real news story from the overwritten fake ones. Philadelphia Public Ledger, April 1, 1789: The man who led U.S. forces through the nation’s longest war, and who this month will become its first chief executive thanks to a lack of opposition and a unanimous vote in the Electoral College, has a dark side when it comes to environmental issues.

Stories of valor and sacrifice

Kevin Ferris

Posted 05/11/2012

Valley Forge is no stranger to heroes. The area is steeped in tales of valor and sacrifice. Look for more next weekend. The occasion is the updating of the Medal of Honor Grove, the Freedoms Foundation’s 52-acre memorial park about a mile west of Valley Forge National Historical Park. The site pays tribute to the 3,457 men and one woman who have, according to the 1862 act that President Abraham Lincoln signed creating the medal, distinguished “themselves by their gallantry in action.”

Toomey: the effective Pa. senator - 04/13/2012: Kevin Ferris

Kevin Ferris: Sen. Pat Toomey is rightfully garnering praise for his efforts to work across the aisle and push colleagues to think beyond the next election cycle.
Back Channels: The hard truths of newspapering - 02/19/2012: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

When it comes to the realities of life in journalism, no one prepared me more while I was an undergrad at Virginia Commonwealth University than Bill Turpin.
Back Channels: Despite critics, a message - 01/29/2012: "Red Tails" shows bravery and patriotism of African American airmen in WWII.

By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

George Lucas, the legendary director of the Star Wars saga, should have taken a few down-to-earth meetings with master storyteller Bertram Levy before he made Red Tails, the story of the African American pilots known today as the Tuskegee Airmen.
In Pa., Romney has avid base of supporters - 01/15/2012: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

Kevin Ferris: Local supporters cite three reasons for backing Mitt Romney.
Back Channels: For Santorum, the cornerstone of the nation is family, marriage - 01/08/2012: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

It's always encouraging to see people go from newspaper work to bigger and better things, like come within eight votes of winning the Iowa caucus.
Back Channels: Building strong, committed GOP women to lead in Pa. - 12/11/2011: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

It may be the most successful public-service training ground you've never heard of. It being the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series. The program, now in its 10th year, is for Republican women in Pennsylvania who want to become more involved in public life, whether as party leaders, elected officials, or community activists.
Back Channels: Obama should have embraced Toomey compromise - 12/04/2011: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

Barack Obama could've done his reelection efforts a world of good if a certain U.S. senator from Pennsylvania had been by his side Wednesday in Scranton.
Back Channels: Come on down, campers! Pitch a tent for free! - 11/06/2011: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

'Good morning, Camp Dilworth. How can I help you? "Yes, indeed, we do still have some choice campsites available, though it is getting a little snug out there. But that helps keep everyone a little bit warmer.
Back Channels: Councilman Bill Green discusses city's challenges - 10/30/2011: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

Last week's agreement to cut the business-privilege tax by about $70 million a year isn't just a win for the business community. It's a sign of the growing effectiveness of freshman Councilman Bill Green, who, along with colleagues such as Maria Quinones
Back Channels: From the GOP, a solid lineup in at-large race for City Council - 10/23/2011: By Kevin Ferris, Inquirer Columnist

There are plenty of reasons to criticize the Republican Party of Philadelphia, but today it deserves credit for a strong field of candidates in the at-large City Council race.