Knox Landing?

Is this the sound of coming down?

by Mary F. Patel

Last year, Tom Knox was such a political unknown that, when he showed up at almost every local rally for Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, he sported a large campaign button on his lapel. Much has changed since campaign consultant Joe Trippi, late of Howard Dean's famous online presidential efforts, came aboard to help raise his public perception.

In his everywhere-you-watch ads, Knox talks about growing up in a housing project and propelling himself to success by his wits. (He's owned software companies, a Rittenhouse Square restaurant, a bank and health-care insurance companies and served under Mayor Rendell as a deputy mayor in the Office of Management and Productivity.) For many years, while living in a spacious Rittenhouse Square condo with a stellar view, Knox and his wife, Linda, circulated through the black-tie circuit. Still, Knox is not that high on Philadelphia's wealth food chain; his financial situation is closer to his wealthy neighbors than Sidney Kimmel.

He's often criticized as a self-promoter who'd be nowhere if he didn't lend his own campaign millions and millions. But what's the difference if Knox lends himself the money or if others contribute? (Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was lauded for raking in millions last week at a fundraiser in Hollywood; would it be any different if Bill Clinton donated?)

Selling himself with a "City Hall is not for sale" slogan, Knox promises to reform government and not offer his friends and relatives jobs, unlike Mayor John Street. Hoping to ride Rendell's coattails, Knox features old pictures of himself with the former mayor in one ad. He lauds Rendell and batters Street, but doesn't fault Rendell for being instrumental in getting Street elected.

Here are some negatives: He is an uncompelling speaker and may not be able to be the public booster this city needs. He's light on public-service experience, so we don't know if he's in it for ego or compassion. The highly usurious loans his bank made (up to 400 percent interest rate) to poor people is not characteristic of a white knight of the underclass. In addition, his behavior with Bob Brady screams of pettiness. Challenging a document is one thing, but a jihad against Brady's pension with a non-taxpayer entity was never the issue before the court. How is Knox going to govern if he's so vindictive? His tactic of trying to discredit the only other white candidate in the mayor's race should be considered by voters.

Speaking of Brady, Knox's supporters are appealing a Common Pleas Court ruling that allows Brady to stay on the ballot. Knox wants to propel the case right up to the state Supreme Court, which means it could be the first meaty case for new Supreme Court Justice Jim Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, a Republican who headed up the civil trial division in the city's Common Pleas Court, was confirmed March 28 by the Senate. Rendell nominated Fitzgerald last year to fill the vacancy left when former Justice Russell Nigro lost his 2005 retention vote. A new justice will be sworn in January 2008.

Local lawyer Bob Dan-iels was also confirmed by the Senate last week to fill a vacancy on Superior Court created by the early retirement of Joseph Del Sole. According to sources, the Senate stalled on the judicial confirmation because Rendell added Robin Weissman to the nomination package in hopes they would confirm her to fill out Casey's term as treasurer. Weiss-man is married to Rendell supporter Ken Jarin, and her confirmation is stalled by Senate Republicans.

(rcpatel@aol.com)