Posted on december 15, 2006
Originally Posted on Fri, Dec. 15, 2006

Gar Joseph | Brady Bunch tells rep to run, but Ed says he won't

U.S. REP. Bob Brady is running for mayor.

He doesn't know that yet, but things are happening too fast now and, like a leaf on a current, he will be carried along.

Consider:

• In the wake of Jonathan Saidel's decision to drop out of the race, the Democratic congressman and his pals met at La Collina restaurant in Bala Cynwyd last Friday night and Monday night. To a man, they urged him to run.

• On Wednesday, his supporters created a "Friends of Bob Brady PAC." The first fundraiser is next Thursday at the Sheet Metal Workers union hall. Goal: At least $1 million.

• A judge's decision to throw out the new city limit on campaign contributions yesterday clears the way for big donations by unions while maintaining limits on businesses, like law firms, that have city contracts. Brady has stronger union ties than any of the declared candidates.

The La Collina powwows in-cluded power lawyer Marty Weinberg, former PHA chief Tom Kelly, ward leader Matt Myers and former Councilman Lee Beloff.

One participant said the group was unanimous that Brady should run. They were divided over whether Brady should reach out to another potential candidate - and sometime adversary - labor leader John Dougherty.

It was Brady himself who said he wanted to reach an accommodation with Dougherty.

"One of the reasons Bob would run would be to bring the party all back together," said one participant.

Brady's dream race is one in which each of the other candidates joins his team. It's an impossible dream, of course, but don't expect him to formally announce until he has reached out to each of them.

Who thinks we're wrong? Gov. Rendell.

The guv predicted that, in the end, the "lifestyle" issue, meaning the 24/7 nature of the job, would ultimately keep Brady out. And that, Rendell said, makes Tom Knox the frontrunner.

We shall see.

A Nutter Republican?

Republicans desperately seeking a mayoral candidate are floating a new idea: Democratic candidate Michael Nutter.

They see Nutter has friendly ties with Republicans on the Convention Center board. He was the toast of Chester County businesspeople at a Pennsylvania Society reception last weekend in New York.

Nutter's on the outs with Democratic organization leaders Bob Brady and Carol Campbell, so if he's feeling squeezed, Republicans figure, he has a home among the elephants if he wants one.

"It's certainly a conversation we're interested in having," said GOP counsel Michael Meehan.

In fact, Clout hears, Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., has already had that conversation with Nutter.

Asked about that, Specter said, "Who the hell would comment on a question like that?"

This is a non-denial denial.

Nutter, meanwhile, will say only that he talks with Specter about a lot of things.

"I'm a Democrat, I'm staying a Democrat, and I'm running in the Democratic primary," Nutter said. "It seems to me the only people who have an interest in creating this buzz are people who would not like to see me run for mayor and want to create distraction from the real issues ."

Ramos y Ramos?

The race for City Council at-large nominations next May is attracting a cast of thousands.

The latest name we've heard is former state Sen. Ben Ramos, formerly director of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Would Ramos benefit from voter confusion with incumbent Juan Ramos? Would it drain votes from Juan? Or would they team up to give Council two Latino members for the first time?

Ben Ramos did not return our call.

McElhatton for D.A.

Some people are looking past the mayor's race.

Making the rounds at the Pennsylvania Society events in New York last weekend was former Councilman Dan McElhatton, who is exploring a run for district attorney when incumbent Lynne Abraham's term ends in 2009. Abraham has said she won't run agin.

"It's important to have a D.A. who aggressively goes after political corruption and other wrongdoing in this city," McElhatton said.

McElhatton was among the most active members of the former city ethics board, testifying in City Council on pay-to-play legislation and pushing the board to protect whistle-blowers.

At least two other Democrats are considering a run: former assistant D.A. Seth Williams, who opposed Abraham in the 2005 primary, and Common Pleas Judge Kevin Dougherty, brother of labor leader and mayoral hopeful John Dougherty.

Weinberg-Newman nuptials

Back in September, Clout was first to report that Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Sandra Schultz Newman and power lawyer Marty Weinberghad become a couple.

Now we can report that next month they will marry.

Weinberg told us they will be wed in a private ceremony at Temple Har Zion in Penn Valley.

The couple is still looking for a house. Newman is retiring from the high court next month and joining the law firm of Cozen O'Connor.

Fitzgerald to follow

Who will replace Newman on the state Supreme Court?

Common Pleas Judge James Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald, like Newman, is a Republican and a slam-dunk to be confirmed by the state Senate once Gov. Rendell nominates him.

Like most appointments to unexpired terms, Fitzpatrick has agreed not to seek election to a full term.

Worth noting: He's the father of Melissa Fitzgerald, who played Carol (C.J.'s assistant) on "West Wing."

Staff writers Gar Joseph, Dave Davies and John M. Baer contributed to this report.

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