Philadelphia mayor leads poll amid federal probe

[arcos]

Philadelphia mayor leads poll amid federal probe

Philadelphia Mayor John Street has pulled ahead of his Republican challenger in the city's mayoral race, apparently getting a boost from a federal investigation into his administration, according to a poll released Friday.

Federal officials then confiscated the mayor's handheld personal computer and Thursday, FBI agents raided offices of the city pension board, finance department and treasurer as well as the office of one of Street's top political allies.

<snip>

In the poll conducted by Temple University, CBS3 TV and KYW radio, Street leads challenger Sam Katz by 7 percentage points, reversing a 6-point lead by Katz just a month ago.

The new survey found 48 percent of likely voters said they would vote for Street, ahead of 41 percent for Katz.

<snip>

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/10/17/bugged.mayor.reut/index.html

[jiacinto]

1. This is going to come down to the wire

A few weeks ago I thought Katz was going to win this race. Now it's back to tossup status.

I still think, though, that Street is in big trouble.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Maybe so, but perhaps the people realize that there's a little more stink

to this investigation than whatever Street is dishing out.

[jiacinto]

3. Let's be candid too

Street has been involved in shady dealings. So while I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt I would not be surprised if there actually is "something" to these investigations either.

[lovedems]

4. Yes but

shady or not, this tells me that voters are catching on to what the rethuglicans are all about. He may be involved in shady dealings but the right may be involved in creating a scandal. It is promising that at least voters take that into consideration. In the 02 elections they never would've thought it possible.

[SaintLouisBlues]

12. When being investigated by the FBI becomes a badge of honor

that can't be good for Ashcroft and his henchmen. Another worm turn?

[NNN0LHI]

5. "Street has been involved in shady dealings"?

What shady dealings jiacinto? And where are you getting this information from? I would like to evaluate the source you are using to base your opinion on.

Don

[jiacinto]

6. Go to Philly.com and do a google search on it

It will give you the whole story of Street's record.

[NNN0LHI]

7. I did

I could not find anything about indictments or arrests of Street. Now what?

Don

[jiacinto]

9. I never said he was indicted or arrested

But what I did say is that he does have a questionable track record.

[NNN0LHI]

10. No. You didn't say anything about a track record until now

You said "Street has been involved in shady dealings". I will ask one more time. Lets see what you are basing that statement on.

Don

[jiacinto]

11. Okay

I am basing it on the numerous of stories of accusations against his administration.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/mayor/6180274.htm

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/mayor/6119308.htm

The point that I was making is that Street's record is hardly clean.

[benfranklin1776]

13. The "evidence" in both articles features claims by his political opponent

Who according to this article has been himself accused by former business partners of fraud and embezzlement and questioned by federal authorities.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/101603-katzlawsuit.html

If your criteria for someone to have been involved in "shady dealings" is that he or she has been accused of wrongdoing then by your criteria Katz has been involved in "shady dealings" as well. Such criteria is woefully erroneous since it does grievous violence to the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

The ultimate point here is that any accusations of wrongdoing against both men are at this point wholly unproven and it is hardly surprising that such accusations and insinuations get thrown about in an election year to muddy the waters. Should they be dispositive? Without hard tangible evidence, absolutely not, since anyone can level allegations and raise the specter of corruption which serves only to cast a pall over the election process and diverts attention away from other issues.

[jiacinto]

14. All I said

was that Street's reputation was not completely clean.

[benfranklin1776]

16. Yes but you are basing that conclusion on unproven allegations

...not hard facts. It cuts both ways then. As I said if your criteria is allegations alone than Katz shares that same reputation.
No matter. The voters seem to be sick of this. The more unproven allegations are raised the angrier they get. This could mean the death of sleazy attack politics which would purge the ghost of Lee Atwater from the political process altogether, a very good thing.

[jiacinto]

17. I never said Katz was pure either

I wouldn't vote for Katz if I lived in Phila.

[Must_B_Free]

20. Ouch!

That spanking must have hurt!:spank:

[RobinA]

8. Street Has Never Been

known as being particularly corrupt, especially as Philadelphia politicians go. Probably no more so than any local politician. Friends and donors get perks when it comes to contracts. Like Ed Rendell's law firm didn't get a lot of city business? And let's not even talk about what's going on amongst certain high level federal employees.

The whole thing stinks like two day old fish.

[AP]

15. I'd like to emphasize that Penn. is a toss-up state for 2004.

Philladelphia is the largest city in the state. Control of Philly is going to be important to 2004 outcome. I have little doubt that this investigation is inspired by that fact.

[rocktivity]

18. Philly ain't Cali

Maybe the California recall taught them something: that the Repubs will stop at nothing to win. The timing of all this is ridiculous, and the voters know it. As the Pretzel-dunce himself once attempted to say, "Fool me twice, shame on me."


rocknation

[benfranklin1776]

19. Indeed you are correct.

Even the cross state Pittsburgh Post Gazette noticed the manner and curious timing of this information coming to light so soon before the election.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03286/230371.stm

Such hamhandedness is difficult to hide from the voter.