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Did Philly liberals make a big mistake by voting for a Republican?
Many Philadelphia progressives and liberals supported Republican City Commissioner Al Schmidt as part of a bipartisan attack on both party machines. But was his election the first step in swinging more of Philly's Democratic voting block rightward in state and federal elections?
Did Philly liberals make a big mistake by voting for a Republican?
The conservative Weekly Standard has a new article extolling Al Schmidt, Philadelphia's new Republican City Commissioner, by conservative Inquirer columnist Kevin Ferris. The article prompts an interesting question: Did Philly liberals make a big mistake by voting for a Republican?
Many Philadelphia progressives and liberals supported Schmidt as part of a bipartisan attack on both party machines, and his endorsements “ranged from former governor Edward G. Rendell, a Democrat, to U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, a Republican; from Americans for Democratic Action to the Eagle Forum.”
In terms of good government, Schmidt and fellow reformer Democrat Stephanie Singer were clearly worthy choices. But willl Philadelphia progressives be kicking themselves — and hard — a few years down the road if Schmidt's victory helps revive a real-deal and conservative Philadelphia Republican Party?
The state GOP thinks you will: they hope Schmidt's election is the first step in swinging more of Philly's Democratic voting block rightward in state and federal elections.
“This is the beginning of a resurgence,” Pennsylvania Republican chair Rob Gleason told the Standard. “It’s microscopic and under the radar, but I think people will look back at the election of 2011 as a turning point for the Republican party in Philadelphia.”
Local politics aren't as neatly ideological as state and federal. On that count, progressives can feel good about voting in Schmidt and helping to create a better City Commissioners office. But there might be some bitter conservative pills to swallow down the road.
This might be the one and only time I ever recommend checking out a story in the Weekly Standard. So give it a read.
Comment removed.
There is nothing progressive about the way Philadelphia is run. The machine should be an embarassment to liberals.
Regardless, the level of incompetence and machine/ interest group driven corruption makes it an easy foil for any conservative politician. You think there are more than 20% of statewide PA voters who want to replicate Philadelphia's Democrat run government at the state level?
— samac- Any voter would have made a mistake if we fail to deliver fair and honest elections. There is no conservative or liberal way to do this. Either elections are run efficiently and effectively, or they are not. We need to improve accountability, save taxpayer money where we can, and count every vote. I tackled a few easier items right out of the gate: refused a city car, took a voluntary 10% pay reduction, etc. The hard work is ahead - making the City Commissioners' Office a model for efficient and effective municipal government.— Albert Schmidt
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