Philly politics: An insider's game

REMEMBER the last mayor's race, the unforgettable thumping of momentary Republican candidate Karen Brown by incumbent Democrat Michael Nutter?

Oh? You forgot.

How about 2007, when unknown (millionaire) Tom Knox finished just behind Nutter in the Democratic primary (which picks the mayor because the GOP hasn't won a mayor's race since Jim Gardner was in diapers).

That cast of characters also included (in descending vote count) U.S. Reps. Bob Brady and Chaka Fattah and state Rep. Dwight Evans. (To prevent the expected phone complaint, Queena Bass got 950 votes.)

In the general election, Nutter clobbered Republican Al Taubenberger, 83 percent to 17 percent.

PoliFact: An open seat - created when the incumbent won't or can't run - attracts many unattractive candidates.

In January 2016, Nutter heads for a new job - perhaps Secretary of Something for President Obama; perhaps a juicy job at a university or law firm; perhaps lobbyist for the Bicycle Coalition; perhaps spinning at Rumor.

He'd be happier doing any of the above, some say.

Open seats have the same effect as dropping a tuna in a shark tank, except sharks have better manners. Next year's Dem primary could eclipse '07.

Officially announced are former mayoral (Nutter and Rendell) aide Terry Gillen and former city solicitor Ken Trujillo.

Gillen would be the first woman mayor and Trujillo the first Hispanic. That splits the aspirational vote. It gets worse. Former District Attorney Lynne "Tough Cookie" Abraham might run, so that's two women, and Nelson "Here Comes the Judge" Diaz is revving his engines, so that's two Hispanics. If Rich "I'm Managing" Negrin runs, that's three Hispanics, opening the door for the return of Angel "Unlicensed" Ortiz. Why not?

As for African-Americans, an alleged strong candidate would be state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, and we can't be sure D.A. Seth "Seizure" Williams won't make a move. And if there's an election, count on Milton "Ex- Con" Street to show up.

Councilman Jim "Toke" Kenney and Alan "Controller" Butkovitz are the "white male privilege" candidates. Lurking in the background are two-time mayoral loser Sam "You Made the Pants Too Long" Katz and former Councilman Frank "DROP" Rizzo Jr. Anyone else?

Yes, Council President Darrell Clarke, who would clear the field of male dwarfs. But would he want to trade the powerful Council president's job for the mayor's, risking being nibbled to death by ducks?

When many run, you don't need a majority. Nutter won with 36.6 percent of the vote in 2007.

All above are insiders, and that might be what's wrong with Philly - too many insiders smothering fresh ideas. But can an outsider mount a challenge to entrenched party dwellers? (Ask Tom Wolf.)

Insiders have advantages, but it's hard to think outside the box if you built the box.

Maybe Philadelphia needs someone who can redesign the Titanic, rather than rearrange the deck chairs. Someone with bold leadership, vision, grit and brains, someone who has actually run something.

Like who? I can think of a few, and I have spoken with none of them.

The Point Breeze Renaissance Man, developer Ori Feibush. University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann. Dilworth Paxson CEO Ajay Raju. Former Peoples Emergency Center CEO Farah Jimenez. Chief Franklin Institute astronomer Derrick Pitts. Comic Joe Conklin (who mimics all Philly mayors). Eagles coach Chip Kelly. Sister Mary Scullion. Pat Croce. Zoo CEO Vik Dewan. Marijuana activist Chris Goldstein. (What could go wrong?) Not all live in Philly; this is just a wish list.

If you have additions, serious or funny, my email address is below. Think outside the box.

Phone: 215-854-5977

On Twitter: @StuBykofsky

Blog: ph.ly/Byko

Columns: ph.ly/StuBykofsky