POLS ON THE STREET: Polls Show Lynne Abraham Well Known To Voters

BY MARIA MERLINO/ After her rousing speech announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Philadelphia on Wednesday at the Franklin Institute, Lynne Abraham had her first official breakfast fundraiser, the next day at The Famous Deli on 4th & Bainbridge, compliments of Marty Samschick and owner Russ Cowan.

It was a high-octane crowd and I’m told they increased her political coffers quite a bit.

Full of energy, the former DA worked the room like she owned the place, stopping at every table to chat. She hopes to “end the 332 years’ drought without a woman as Mayor of the city!”

A phrase I kept hearing all morning was “we have to break some china.” Attorney Michael Sklaroff, from Ballard Spahr, explained the phase. “Philadelphia has to change the way it does business to become a better city. Lynne has transformational leadership. She’s the transcendental candidate. And if we have to shatter a few dishes to do it, then let’s do it.”

Said host Samschick, “We’ve got to get out the women’s vote. It will be the thing that changes the tide.”

As of now, a poll of 600 likely voters in the May 19, 2015 Democratic Party primary conducted Nov. 12-16 by Mellman Group confirms Lynne Abraham enjoys deep support throughout Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. She leads the other declared and likely candidates in all relevant categories. Were the election held today, she would win by a wide margin. The poll, while early, demonstrates she will prove to be tough opposition.

Lynne Abraham goes into the race for Mayor with a significant lead over current and potential opponents. Abraham garners 31% of the vote, 19 points ahead of her nearest rival, Darrell Clarke (12%). No other candidate breaks double digits.

Abraham’s support is strong across ideological groups. She garners 34% of the vote among liberals, 30% among moderates and 26% among conservatives. Abraham is also leading in every section of the city.

Abraham’s strength is grounded in the high esteem in which Philadelphia voters hold her. Abraham is significantly better-liked (58% favorable, 17% unfavorable) than the rest of the field, with favorable ratings 17 points higher than Clarke’s, 18 points higher than Anthony Williams’ and much-larger advantages over the other candidates.

Not only is Abraham well liked, but voters also have strong recollections of her performance as Philadelphia District Attorney (61% positive, 28% negative). Abraham’s strong job performance ratings stand in sharp contrast to City Council President Darrell Clarke (35% positive, 38% negative) and State Sen. Anthony Williams (35% positive, 35% negative), all of which will change when Williams’ campaign gets rolling, and if Clarke should make it a “go”.

Abraham says she’s aware early polls don’t mean a victory. She sees herself as the main target, and looks forward to the challenge.

SEN. WILLIAMS PUSHES “ONE PHILADELPHIA!”
State Sen. Anthony Williams (D_W. Phila.) announced his candidacy in front of a crowd of hundreds of supporters at the Independence Visitor Center, calling for leadership that brings different sides of the community together for “One Philadelphia”, strengthening every neighborhood.

He started off with a serious note, saying, “All that makes us great, makes us a city that needs to compete on the world stage, not just the national stage. And we need to make changes to get us there.

“Most of all, we need to change the way we conduct the public’s business. Our people are sending that message loud and clear, and it’s time we paid attention. Just two weeks ago, nearly two out of every three voters in Philadelphia decided they’d rather stay home than vote in a very important election for Governor. As President Obama said last week, I appreciate those who are here. I also appreciate those who are not here.

“In Philadelphia, for too long too many of our leaders have been stuck working in the same old political ways. Instead of finding ways to bring people together, our leaders too often have profited from the act of keeping us divided. Instead of demanding more from our leaders, we’ve become accustomed to settling for less.

“I don’t want to be the Mayor for just one part of town. I want to lift up every part of town. I know we are strongest as a city when EVERY neighborhood is strong – when we are ‘One Philadelphia.’ That is my vision for our city, and why I want to be your Mayor.

“We are long past the time to change our approach to the difficult challenges we face. I have no use for the tired old practice of pitting some parents in some schools against other parents in other schools. We have an obligation to prepare our children to be productive citizens for the future. We should be lifting up all Philadelphia school students. Our families are telling us, every day in every way, that they cannot wait for us to fix the schools. It’s time for us to get it done, and it starts with all of us working together.

“When it comes to building our economy, the same rule applies. Instead of demonizing business and daring companies to bring their jobs and investment to Philadelphia, we need to show them that Philadelphia is the best place to build their future, and ours. My vision of Philadelphia is a city that attracts business in every neighborhood, just as it did in the days when Philadelphia was known as the Workshop of the World. Businesses that invest in our neighborhoods create more jobs, better schools, and a chance for all of our people to build a better future.

“We face some difficult problems – public education, finding good jobs for our people and making our neighborhoods safer, just to name a few. But if you believe, as I do, that we must turn away from the old way of doing business; that we can together work for One Philadelphia that lifts every neighborhood and leaves no one behind, then I ask for your help and support in this campaign. Let’s make history again.”

CONGRESSMAN BRADY REELECTED CHAIR
Congressman Robert A. Brady (D-Phila.) has been re-elected minority Ranking Member Chair of the Committee on House Administration for the 114th Congress.

Congressman Brady was nominated by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and unanimously approved by the Democratic Caucus. Congressman Brady is the first Philadelphian to serve as either chairman or Ranking Member of a full committee since the late Congressman Bill Gray in the 99th and 100th Congress. The Committee oversees nearly $1 billion in Congressional spending, as well as the Capitol Police Dept., Capitol Visitors Center, the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Museums.

STRONG G.O.P. BID SEEN FOR MAYOR
Jeff Kolakowski penned an article about whether the Republicans can run and win in a city where Republicans are outnumbered eight to one. After the May primary, the Democratic nominee will be the next Mayor, or so it may be assumed, he writes.

Philadelphians have not elected a Republican Mayor in over s60 years since voting Bernard “Barney” Samuel in for the second of two terms in 1948. Being a Republican in the City of Brotherly Love puts one in a minority. Around 12% of registered voters identify as GOP.
However, Kolakowski believes some Republicans will register as Democrats so they can have a say in who becomes Mayor by having a vote in the primary. They can be won back in the fall, he argues.

He interviewed Joe DeFelice, executive director of the Philadelphia Republican City Committee, who feels the electorate is dismayed over increased taxes, looking no further than the recent cigarette tax to fund Philly public schools. Add that to sales-tax, stormwater-fee, wage-tax and business-privilege-tax increases and that leads to unhappy Democratic voters.

DeFelice sees millennials are moving into Center City and surrounding neighborhoods. Those who lived in the Philly suburbs and other towns are now transplanted into the city and retain positive feelings towards Republican policy they experienced. Those who are Libertarian or independent with Republican leanings want less government, lower taxes and less spending.

There is a stereotypical image of a “Republican” that the Philly GOP is eroding. A look at November’s general election shows the changing face of the GOP, believes DeFelice. Armond James and Megan Rath both ran as Republicans against longtime Philadelphia Democrats Chaka Fattah and Bob Brady. Armond is a Black male in his 30s. Rath is a millennial female.

Danny Alvarez, who ran as Republican against Seth Williams for District Attorney in 2013, is of Hispanic heritage. Alvarez won several wards but was unsuccessful in his challenge.

Is it time, asks Kolakowski, for a Republican mayoral hopeful, someone with a name? Three that come to mind are Kelvin Jeremiah, head of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; Farah Jiménez of the School Reform Commission; and Matt Wolfe, University City attorney.

The next question would be: Can they enjoy the challenge?