CITY HALL SAM: Mayor Nutter Snatches Credit for Democratic Convention

It was amazing CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY was able to get the Democratic National Committee to agree to have the convention in Philadelphia. What was even more amazing is how MICHAEL NUTTER was able to get credit even though he almost failed to file the paperwork necessary to be a candidate for the convention.

The readers will recall Nutter claimed the City was not in a healthy-enough fiscal situation to be able to host the convention. Brady took the reins and was able to make the City eligible and now has us in a position to be very successful.

Also interesting was the appearance of Montco COMMISSIONER JOSH SHAPIRO at Nutter’s side during all the announcements. The pundits are still trying to find out what his exact role was and have yet to find out.

MONTCO Commissioner Josh Shapiro is suddenly very busy in Phila. politics. Seen backing Cherelle Parker’s Councilmanic race was Shapiro, along with State Rep. Dwight Evans, Parker, Councilwoman Marian Tasco and Laborers’ District Council Business Mgr. Ryan Boyer.

It is, however, only fair to give some credit to former GOV. ED RENDELL because he did what he always does best … he was a cheerleader for the city. Rendell always says the most-passionate Philadelphians are New Yorkers. Both Rendell and Brady know a lot of people in D.C. and are constantly working the angles. But there’s plenty of time for many other elected officials and people interested in helping to take credit. All hands will have to be on deck if the city will be the host to a great convention.

While the excitement over the convention is clear, what remains cloudy is why SETH WILLIAMS is suing GOV. TOM WOLF over the death penalty moratorium? Does he need to be reminded he is from the City of Brotherly Love that is dealing with the issue of racially disproportionate sentencing. Maybe his pro-death-penalty stance indicates he has statewide ambitions, either for US Senate Senate or Pennsylvania Attorney General. His figurative punching bag for much of this last 12 months has been KATHLEEN KANE. But Williams will have to be absolutely positive of success, because right now he has a great job as District Attorney of the largest city in the state.

The race for the 170th Legislative Dist. in Northeast Philadelphia has consisted of a lot of door-knocking by Democratic candidate SARAH DelRICCI. The Democrats have a 2-1 voter registration edge but some Republicans believe they have a shot at the seat. Although it’s a special election and the turnout will be low, Republicans have not been competitive in any way for over a decade. Trying to win the seat may just be wishful thinking. Or they may just not even care what happens here because they have been kicking the Democrats’ butts all over Pennsylvania for the last two years in legislative races.

JUDGES KEVIN DOUGHERTY and DAVID WECHT were endorsed this past weekend by the State Democratic Party for Supreme Court. DWAYNE WOODRUFF, the former Pittsburgh Steeler, could not muster enough votes nor could CHRISTINE DONAHUE to get the endorsement. Donahue is expected to win in any event because she is highly respected and has tremendous statewide support.

Philadelphian ANNE LAZARUS will also be competitive even though she was unable to get the State Committee endorsement. She is a smart and experienced Superior Court Judge, well respected by her judge colleagues, lawyers, and the rest of the judicial community.

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