Rally Chaps

"Not all Republicans agree with Bush — we'll take your vote. And you independents, we'll take your vote, too!"

by Mary F. Patel

With less than two weeks to go until the general election, Philly Democrats are focused on motivating foot soldiers to help drive turnout. The more Philadelphians that make it to the polls, the better the chance of a statewide rout of the Republicans.

Since liberal incumbent Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has a decided advantage over the more conservative Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Bob Casey when it comes to rousing the base, Rendell is lending his campaigning abilities and his reservoir of goodwill and credibility in Philadelphia to Casey's somewhat lackluster operation.

Plus, Senate heavyweights from other states have dropped in to stump for both of those races, and some heated congressional campaigns. They're ramping up their efforts to ensure that they will take over the U.S. House next year with the hope that they can seize control of the Senate as well.

At Temple University's McGonigle Hall on Saturday afternoon, Rendell shared the stage with Casey and several House incumbents and hopefuls, but the one who really brought the crowd to their feet was Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who is considering a run for the presidency in 2008. "Not all Republicans agree with [George W. ] Bush — we'll take your vote," said Obama. "And you independents, we'll take your vote, too!"

On the Middle East, Obama asked, "Why are we sending our money to bad countries for fuel?"

Later that afternoon, Obama stopped at the Free Library of Philadelphia to hawk his latest book, The Audacity of Hope (Crown). Given that he may be interested in running for leader of the free world, Obama is heavily managed by his staff and only gives interviews to major national media outlets, of which City Paper, apparently, is not.

On Sunday night at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall by the Delaware River, the Action Alliance of Senior Citizens, along with the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans, hosted a "Politics is Phunny" night starring political humorist Will Durst and comedian Bob Somerby of The Daily Howler blog.

"I'm a bipartisan smartass," said Durst, "but I can't find anything funny with the Democrats. It's like strangling smoke."

On the president, Durst said, "I don't think the president is dumb, but how do they brief him on foreign policy, hand puppets? 'This is [Vladimir] Putin, Mr. President.'"

With the nation focused on the Middle East, Durst said, the North Koreans are starved for attention. "Poor North Korea," said Durst. "They say, 'We have a bomb right here. We are the axis of evil!'"

Running the risk of motivating the base too early to have a big effect on Election Day, the Democratic City Committee hosted its fall fundraiser Monday night, also at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall. Casey had an enormous sign behind the stage while Rendell had several that were taped up next to those touting congressional candidates.

Casey didn't abandon his campaign's credo of "the less said, the better." His remarks were brief and he had to share the stage with Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, another presidential wannabe, who made a much lengthier speech. Rendell sounded like he was guaranteeing an endorsement for Biden, who expounded on the evils of Washington and how Bush has "screwed things up."

"We need to stop the slime," he said.

In a truly generous gesture, the governor promised a prize to the person in the audience who guessed the price of gasoline the last time the minimum wage was raised. (A gallon went for $1.41 in 1997.) The prize? Two tickets to the next Sixers playoff game.

Before the speeches, 2,500 of the party faithful circulated. Small placards were placed on many of the tables supporting Democratic City Committee Chairman Bob Brady for mayor, although Brady's wife, Debbie, a former Eagles cheerleader, said her husband was relatively undecided at the moment. Many Democrats have urged Brady, also a U.S. congressman, to run.

Mayoral candidate Tom Knox also attended. Knox has been going to many events and is raising money to match his own $5 million contribution. He also has to pay his nationally known media consultant Joe Trippi. Trippi helped manage Howard Dean's presidential bid and so doesn't come cheap.

South Philly Democrats said that state Sen. Vincent Fumo would support state Rep. Dwight Evans for mayor.

Meanwhile, the city's former director of integrity and accountability, Ellen Green-Ceisler, has left her position at the city controller's office. She didn't go on the record with an explanation.

Jason Villemez, boyfriend of Philadelphia Gay News publisher Mark Segal, has a new gig as an administrative assistant for City Councilman Jim Kenney.

(rcpatel@aol.com)