Did Mayor Street of Philadelphia endorse Dean?

[CMT]

This from the Philadelphia Daily News:
"Former Governor Howard Dean breezed into Philadelphia on a surge of national support yesterday, drawing more than 3,000 supporters to an Independence Mall rally that nearly upstaged a forum of seven Democratic contenders...Mayor Street appeared at the Dean event, saying, "I'm proud to be at a Howard Dean rally, because everything I've heard him say tells me he gets it."

I think it is great if the Mayor of a Great City like Philly has come out for Dean, but isn't he in a tough re-election too? Could it be that he believes endorsing Dean might help in his race?

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/6512729.htm

[jiacinto]

1. Very tough race

The comment that might sink him is:

"The Bruthas and the Sistas are in charge now".

He is hoping that he can get some white support from the Dean followers to beat Katz.

And I am not that much a fan of Street, but a Katz (R) victory in Phila means that Bush will have an anchor in PA that he didn't have in 2000.

[CMT]

2. and if Arnold wins in California

he will have an anchor there. Dems need to win both of these races.

[davidinalameda]

7. Katz is pretty moderate

he received most of the gay endorsements last time around

Street was seen as anti-gay because of some of his votes while on council

He's more of a Specter Republican than a Santorum Republican

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Think of the stress.

Running late on airline. Make impassioned speech in front of 3000(?) supporters. Make appearance on national(?) TV 10 minutes later.

All within 3 hours. The dude is tough, like him or not.

[cjbuchanan]

4. I don't think that is a formal endorsement

There were 3,000+ possible voters there and Mayor Street was playing to them a bit. Look at what he said, "... everything I've heard him say." He has an easy out if Dean's star falls, he can just say that he only had limited knowledge of Dean's positions. Still, it's good for Dean to have the mayor there.

By the why, did any of the other candidates hold rallies before the meeting? If so, how many folks turned up for them?

[CMT]

6. yes that is what I was wondering

but it certainly does sound like he is attaching himself to a certain extent to Dean's star.

[goobergunch]

9. Just Kerry

http://www.blog.johnkerry.com/blog/archives/000029.html#000029

although the Inky didn't say how many people were there.

[jiacinto]

5. FOP endorses Street

On June 5, The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) formally endorsed Mayor John F. Street for a second term in office. The announcement was made by FOP President Robert V. Eddis at the law enforcement group's headquarters.Mayor Street was flanked by Eddis, Philadelphia police officers, and town watch organizers at the press conference.

"Mayor Street has done more to improve public safety in Philadelphia than any mayor in recent memory," said FOP President Eddis. "His integrity and his unwavering commitment to law enforcement are unmatched. Mayor Street has stood by the side of Philadelphia police officers and their families through the good times and the hard times. His vision for Operation Safe Streets should be a model for the rest of the country. It has resulted in a dramatic decrease in crime across the city and ushered in a promising new era of increased public safety. Anyone who would criticize the program simply doesn't understand it. I am proud, on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police and its 14,000 members, to offer our most enthusiastic endorsement of Mayor Street's re-election."

Mayor Street expressed his appreciation for the FOP's endorsement in his brief remarks. "I thank President Eddis, the executive board, and all of the members of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police for this wonderful and important endorsement," said Mayor Street. "When I was elected mayor in 1999, I vowed that improving public safety in Philadelphia would be a priority agenda of my administration. I have kept that commitment and, today, Philadelphia is one of the safest big cities in America. Words cannot express the admiration and respect I have for Police Commissioner Johnson and the brave men and women of our police force. Over the next four years I look forward to continuing Operation Safe Streets and enhancing public safety for all of Philadelphia."

During the 1999 general election, the Philadelphia FOP was neutral in the general election. This year they changed their position and are throwing their support behind Mayor Street. Since Mayor Street was elected, Philadelphia has experienced a 20% drop in overall crime. In addition, Operation Safe Streets helped to shut down over 300 open air drug markets operating throughout the city. Also, since Mayor Street was elected the city's murder rate is at its lowest in a generation and, thanks to Operation Safe Streets, firearm and drug seizures are up.

Source: http://www.votemayorstreet.com/

[goobergunch]

8. Not that I've heard...

and I live in the Philly area, so I think I would have heard.