Taubenberger: Give Me Money Even If You’re For Nutter

It may not seem like it, but there are just 82 days left until the mayoral election. It seems like just yesterday Milton Street was announcing his candidacy by singing while draped over a casket, but, yes, we are under three months away from Michael Nutter (D) vs. Al Taubenberger (R).

Everyone knows Nutter already has the mayor’s race locked up — he is, after all, a Democrat in Philadelphia running against a German-speaking ex-landscaper from the party of President Bush — but that doesn’t mean Taubenberger doesn’t get a chance to make his bid for mayor. Even if his website is worse than Larry West’s or his campaign literature (at right) includes a photo where they didn’t even bother to go into the bright light. (Vote for Al Taubenberger: The shadow knows!)

Taubenberger is by all accounts a tremendously nice guy and fairly competent, especially for a Northeast Philly native. (More competent that I am, at least.) Basically, if he were running against John Street, you’d vote for him.

But his website, though. Let’s take a look.

You’ll notice the flip side of the card. Page 2. Most candidates list issues they believe in. We all believe in the same thing. We want more jobs, (actually, that’s my specialty) better schools (we have to raise the bar and demand more from students,) safer streets and honesty in government. As you might have noticed, I didn’t list issues. I asked for contributions so I can run TV commercials and do some newspaper ads. I didn’t think I’d get much, but I was surprised. I got more than enough to pay for the piece. A lot more. And that’s the kind of mayor I want to be. Do more with less.

P.S. Surprise me. Fill out the reverse side of the card and send a few bucks so we can get the word out about the issues that are important to all of us. Send something even if you’re for Mike. Worst case possible, he’ll hear some great ideas.

“That’s the kind of mayor I want to be. No issues, no bullshit, right now I just need your money in order to run the campaign. I’ll even take your money if you’re voting for Nutter.” Hey, he’s right, I am loving his honesty.

MayorAl2007
Archives: Al Taubenberger

T-Minus 3 Days ‘Til Street Doesn’t Sign Smoking Ban

We’re in the home stretch now! D-Day is Thursday, the day John Street must decide whether to sign the smoking ban, a move that appears fairly unlikely. (I think if he takes no action, it also becomes law, but the Home Rule Charter is written in Klingon, so it’s a little hard to figure out.)

Street’s opposition to the bill, I think, is due to his strict libertarianism and his wish that all restaurant owners should be able to decide their own policies as to whether you can enjoy a legal product in their establishment. Wait, or is it because he’s pissed that outdoor cafes are exempt? Or is it because the bill’s sponsor, Michael Nutter, has left council to run for mayor, and that somehow means that the legislation is dead?

Oh, wait, it’s because John Street doesn’t want Michael Nutter to take credit for it, and what better way to do so than by vetoing the legislation! He doesn’t say this, of course, but it’s pretty easy to see and even easier to infer in news articles.

But: Wouldn’t it be great if John Street just came out and said that? “Yeah, I’m vetoing the bill because I don’t want Michael Nutter to be able to take credit for it during the mayoral race.” It’d be the first instance of honesty in Philadelphia politics in the city’s history. And it’d be totally awesome.

John Street totally needs to do this. I think everyone can agree a little bit of smelly clothes is well worth the absolute hilarity of Street being actually honest about this.

It’s your move, Johnny. You have three days.

Will Phila.’s Proposed Smoking Ban Go Down in Flames? [KYW 1060]
Archives: Smoking Ban

NBC 10 Has The Refreshing Honesty Of A Blog Today

This, incidentally, is the news we Philadelphians crave.

Let’s Pick On… Paris Hilton! [NBC 10]

The First Honest Politician, Ever

I know this has nothing to do with Philadelphia, but, hey, shush. Here’s Senator John Cornyn of Texas was interviewed on CNN about the immigration debate:

“That’s the problem with America, we’re always having elections.” Ladies and gentlemen, we finally have an honest politician in this country.

Who are the illegal immigrants? [AP/CNN.com]