2023 Mayoral Election Debates Non-Partisan Review

[eaglegenius]

 

8 Candidates. 2 Debates. What did we learn?

NOTE: This is not an endorsement of any candidate, just a review of what they revealed in their answers during the two debates.
I've italicized my few editorial comments which represent my own possible concerns in this very consequential mayoral race
at this pivotal juncture in Philadelphia's history, based on decades of paying attention beyond party lines. (Anyone who's 
paid attention to my posts knows I'm an equal opportunity hater of both parties and all hyporcites.)

 

Amen Brown. Youngest candidate and arguably the most personable. Unapologetically tough on crime. As pointed out by one of the moderators, per his own personal financial track record, maybe not the best at handling fiscal matters. Supports aggressive law enforcement on drug dealers to clean up Kensington. Supports targeted "legal cause" stop and frisk.

Jeff Brown. Wealthy businessman. Endorsed by FOP and several unions. (Could this mean sweetheart deals in place with these unions? Just asking, considering the legacy of corruption in this city involving union officials.) Supports gun buy back programs to reduce gun violence. When asked about the 2 o'clock curfew for teens at the Fashion District, his response seemed to indicate he thought it was a 2 AM curfew, not the 2 pm curfew it is. On Kensington issue, he supports "drug courts" offering addicts choice of treatment or jail. Supports targeted "legal cause" stop and frisk.

James DeLeon. Like Fetterman, is dealing with a serious health problem. Offers one idea on crime: in a nutshell, coordinate all local police agencies via their radio mikes.

Allan Domb. Low key, self-made millionaire who donated his city council salary to Philly schools. Rendell-like approach to government, relying on panel of experts to address
big issues. Focussed on improving quality of life in Philadelphia, physically cleaning up the city, getting violent criminals off the street, partnering with businesses.
Tough on crime, including targeted "legal cause" stop and frisk. Wants to shut down Kensington drug market and revitalize that shopping district.

Helen Gym. Unapologetically progressive. Supports Krassner's gentle handling of criminals. Campaigns on the "success" of her 20 year track record on making Philly safe.
Supports "crisis response units" - sending psychological social workers instead of cops to some crime scenes. Only candidate who opposes the Fashion District curfew because
it's not fair to "criminalize" teens for their criminal activity. Champions the rights of squatters and guaranteed employment for youth. Her crime policies favor more detectives to solve
crimes rather than tough measures to prevent crime. Wants new forms of "crisis housing" to clear addicts out of the Kensington corridor. Opposes any form of stop and frisk, pointing
out that they only resulted in 2% of guns seized.

David Oh. The only Republican. (Good luck with that in Philly!) Arguably the toughest candidate on crime. Supports police use of drones.
Wants to shut down the Kensington drug market via tough law enforcement "clean sweep." Supports targeted "legal cause" stop and frisk.

Cherelle Parker. Aggressively no-nonsense, balancing common sense toughness with "mom" compassion. Unapologetically but judiciously tough on crime, including AI and drones, and comprehensive community policing. Expand low income housing. Opposes safe injection sites, out of respect for local residents. Supports targeted "legal cause" stop and frisk.

Rebecca Rynhardt. Although her ads complain about failed city politicians, she campaigns on her extensive city controller experience and refers to what she learned about issues working for the city - but doesn't account for why it didn't impact any of those issues. Endorsed by two former mayors, for whatever that's worth. (Again, sweetheart deals to keep old political appointees or deals in place?) Obviously more comfortable and specific when discussing the city budget than the big issues facing the city, on which her answers are generally vague. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All candidates support a proposal to extend the Broad Street subway to Roosevelt Blvd as far as Bucks County - with the notable exception of Jeff Brown, due to the exorbitant cost, which would take money from other projects (like maybe involving other unions? Again, just asking.)

Regarding the gangs of ATV and dirt bike riders terrorizing the city, all candidates support seizing illegally operated ATVs and dirt bikes except:
- Jeff Brown supports seizure but also paradoxically supports creating a safe place for them to ride (legally) and an annual parade for them to ride in.
- Helen Gym wants the city to "engage" the riders with (unspecified) alternatives.

Memorable lines:

Amen Brown: "...52nd Street where I was shot as a child."

Jeff Brown: "Philly is, like, a historical city."

Rebecca Rynhardt: (on her favorite cheeseteak vendor) "I'm a vegan."
 

 

[eaglegenius]

Another chance to vet the candidates for yourself Monday at 7pm on CBS.

 

 

[eaglegenius]

Committee of 70 poll - analysis of voter preferences reveals:

Rich white center city liberals support Rhynhart, who for five years has been a key part of the current administration,
and paradoxically is campaigning against the status quo while being an integral part of it.
Apparently they're happy to have more of the same government we now have.

Progressives and early voters support Gym, who has been in office for 20 years and is campaigning on her record of making the city safe
by establishing "safe zones" rather than supporting tougher law enforcement.

Double the number of blacks and Latinos support tough on crime and public housing candidate Cherelle Parker than any other candidate.

Moderate and conservative Dems are split between Domb and Brown, both running on law and order and their business acumen to deal with
out the city's crime and services.

Amen Brown weakest candidate still doing the debates.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Final debate highlights:

Moderator pointed out that Democrats have run this city since 1952 so if there is "institutional racism"
(in regard to city services) they have to own it. He also pointed out that only Domb is totally independently
financed, not beholden to super-pac.

Jeff Brown attacked the political experience of the others. Domb rebutted that Brown would benefit from some of that experience.

Parker played up her own political experience, emphasizing importance of getting aid for the city from state and federal government.
Gym rejected that, basically saying it's a waste of time to solicit those sources.
Domb pointed out that Philadelphia left $450 million in available state and local funds that we qualified for on the table.

Gym was the only candidate not to declare taxes won't go up, citing her desire to build new schools like the $90 million
public middle school Lower Merion is building for their 10-year-olds.

Gym dodged question on her conflict of interest voting record (like blocking a bill that would affect opioid sales and her husband's big pharma job).
Parker reiterated her own plan to attack the (Kensington) opioid addiction problem on both a street dealer and corporate supplier level. 

On crime, Domb said he introduced a bill to enlist local colleges to research where the $200 million earmarked to fight gun violence
was spent and how effective those programs were, but the mayor didn't act on it. He defended police commissioner Danielle Outlaw,
saying she's had her hands tied by current admin and deserves a chance to do her job as she wants. 

Rhynhart also claimed she proposed things that Kenney didn't act on, but didn't offer specifics about them.
When asked about her plans for the city re crime etc she names programs used in other cities but doesn't
go into detail about how they work.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prognosis:

The margins are tight. It's anybody's guess what will happen.

Will the anti-crime candidates split votes and cancel each others' chances to win the primary?
Are four more years of the same policies ahead? Will we get a new progressive agenda with a professed
price tag of $10 billion and fewer cops? Will the losing candidates' supporters switch parties and swing
the city in a completely new direction?

The latter seems unlikely. But the only thing certain is that every vote counts.

[Procus]

[eaglegenius]

PCN just aired a mayoral Q&A at Central High. Lots of good questions.

Biggest takeaway - Rhynhart is your candidate if you like what we have under Kenney.

[Procus]

Just saw a poll in the Inky putting Helen Gym ahead.  The city is toast if she wins.

[eaglegenius]

On 5/12/2023 at 1:18 PM, Procus said:

Just saw a poll in the Inky putting Helen Gym ahead.  The city is toast if she wins.

It's clear the majority of citizens want a strong anti-crime candidate, but all the anti-crime candidates are splitting the votes among them.

Philadelphia seems to be cursed when it comes to elections. The best candidates always lose. It'll be especially sad this time because there are obviously good candidates.

The worst case scenario is Gym gets the nod, immediately starts spending like crazy, her Krassneresque crime policies are the same utter failure they have been for over six years now, and in four years the city is too broke for anyone to fix.

Under 50 years of liberal Democrat rule Detroit went from 1.5 million residents (app. Philly's current population) to a third of that. The loss of that tax base would be the final nail in Philly's coffin.

Seriously scary.

[Alpha_TATEr]

philly voted krasner into office, twice.

 

why would i trust them to pull their collective arses out of their heads all of a sudden ?