There were dozens of hands to shake before he could eat. Fellow mayors, business executives, nonprofit leaders and lobbyists: They lined up three deep, hoping for a moment of his time.

Nutter is accustomed to that sort of attention in Philadelphia. But in Washington?

"It's a little strange when you're out of town," Nutter said as he finally broke free of the crowd at a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors last week.

Less than a month into his administration, it has become clear that Philadelphians aren't the only ones curious about Nutter, suggesting he could play a role on the national stage.

On Monday of last week, for instance, Nutter was a guest on a six-minute segment of MSNBC's Hardball, opining on the presidential race and explaining what it took for candidates to build multiracial support. Nutter was back on the network the next morning, discussing urban challenges such as housing and infrastructure.

The next day, Nutter and other mayors met with Senate Democrats at the Capitol. Hours later, he joined presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gov. Rendell in Philadelphia for an appearance at City Hall.

"People see a new mayor trying to take on a whole host of challenges, from crime to education to creating jobs, and there's enthusiasm, and people get a little curious," Nutter said.

"We want folks all across the country to know more about us, and a big part of my job is being an ambassador, telling people who we are."

That's a role all mayors play. Some do it better than others, becoming in effect the face of their city and national advocates for urban areas, as did Rendell when he was mayor.

It is too early to tell what reputation if any Nutter will have outside the region, but some observers think the early signs are positive.

"When certain elected officials take office, there is a national buzz that's created around them, an aura, and I think Michael has it," said political consultant Larry Ceisler. "He is very well positioned to be a national voice on urban issues."

Ceisler described Nutter as charismatic, media-savvy and accessible, qualities that are critical for any mayor hoping to become a national figure in the mold of Rendell or Chicago's Richard Daley.

"If Mayor Nutter can achieve that status, that's only good for Philadelphia. It attracts government dollars, it attracts foundation dollars, it attracts corporate dollars," Ceisler said.

Rendell proved that, said U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, the city Democratic Party chairman.

"Rendell and Bill Clinton were friends, and every time there was a program, we got more than our share," Brady said. "It's going to be a lot easier for me to lobby for the city in Washington if congresspeople know who Michael Nutter is."

That's Nutter's goal as well. But so far, the administration has stopped short of actively promoting the new mayor to national media outlets, said administration press secretary Doug Oliver.

"We haven't had to go knocking on any doors," Oliver said. "There's a sense not just locally but nationally that something big is going to happen here, and people want to witness it."

Nor has the administration yet hired a seasoned political communications director, something Ceisler said he advised Nutter's team to do. It is unclear if that post will be filled or left empty.

Ultimately, Nutter's national image will depend on his accomplishments in Philadelphia. Mayor John Street arguably had even more national exposure upon taking office, including an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. By 2005, Time had labeled him one of the nation's five worst mayors.

"Any big new mayor will be a novelty at the U.S. Conference of Mayors," said Temple University political science professor Joseph McLaughlin. "Yes, Nutter has the potential to become something of a national figure, but the most important factor in these things is having some sort of dramatic success."