Corruption Probe Roils Philadelphia Election

[jiacinto]

Although news that a politician is caught up in an investigation of alleged corruption might derail some campaigns, here it appears that the opposite is taking place. Since an FBI bug was discovered in Street's city hall office Oct. 7, he has seen his support increase, especially among black voters such as Marshall, who make up a large portion of the Democratic voters who hold sway in the nation's fifth-largest city.

With the Nov. 4 election less than two weeks away, support for Street, who is black, has increased to 84 percent among black voters, up from 70 percent a month ago, according to the most recent Temple University/CBS3/KYW Newsradio poll.

snip

Meanwhile, Sam Katz, the white Republican challenger who narrowly lost to Street four years ago, has seen his numbers drop since the investigation came to light. The Temple poll taken between Oct. 9 and 15 -- days after the bug was discovered, and the FBI acknowledged agents had planted it -- shows Street leading 48 percent to 41 percent. A month ago, Katz was ahead 46 percent to 40 percent. The margin of sampling error in the poll is plus or minus 5 percent.

snip

The investigation has "clearly energized the African American community, and done more for Street's field program than Street could have done," said Democratic consultant Neil Oxman, who worked on Katz's 1999 campaign. But he said a significant number of votes are still up for grabs. "About 15 percent of white voters out there are floundering around, worried about voting Republican, whether that's going to help George Bush, and waiting for some signal from the newspapers."

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A13897-2003Oct24?language=printer
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Street is now in position to win this election. He was in trouble, but now the black community is angry. And they are going en masse to vote against Katz.

It will come down to who gets their people out better. If Street does that then he should win.

Katz did have the edge a month ago. Unless something really bad happens, or if Street gets indicted, he will eke out a win.

Street wins by anywhere from 1-7%. Probably maybe 52-48% or 53-47%. That's how I see this race going now.

[theivoryqueen]

1. Good for Philly!

This whole Watergate-esque affair is amazing. Have there been any explanations offered by the FBI for the bugging? Such as who authorized or instigated this?

[jiacinto]

2. Don't know

nt

[jiacinto]

3. kick

nt