Who Was In and Who Was Out in '07

City Paper takes a look at the politically hot and cold players in the year that just ended.

by Mary F. Patel

City Paper takes a look at the politically hot and cold players in the year that just ended.

In

Grace has graciously served as Street's communications director for the past two and a half years; all the while his boss never actually made him the official communications director.

Known for their spicy campaign ads, this consortium of political brainiacs — Neil Oxman, Doc Sweitzer, Bill Wachob, Mark Moskowitz, J.J. Balaban, Lisa Cabanel, Bill Berzenski and Ezra Billinkoff — may have effectively cornered the market on getting candidates elected.

Tinari has made herself very accessible to the Philly press and helps to arrange interviews with the Guv. She also maintains a high social agenda, a rarity in government types.

We all know that Democratic outnumbers Republican registration in the city, but you can't blame a guy for trying to change things. Schmidt, a former D.C. operative, has big plans for the local GOP — long-term, 10-year plans — to bring Republicans back to the playing field, and not just as sacrificial cubs. More power to him.

So out, he's in. Despite his federal indictment of 139 counts with a possible conviction by a grand jury next fall, Fumo has somehow managed to increase his visibility both in the senate and on the party circuit to the point that he is even more popular. Maybe there is a book deal in the works: The Handy Guide on How to Behave When Indicted.

Gelbart's contributions to the Inky's Monday edition of Heard in the Hall are a good read for a mainstream paper.

Out

Good night and good luck. Looks like Street's philosophy of using government to take care of himself, his friends and family didn't quite work out like he expected. So, what is his legacy anyway?

Change is certainly good, but those running on that platform only do little good for voters. When running for office, a realistic agenda with specific goals is needed.

Russ Diamond and PACleanSweep

Diamond's failed plan to throw out every state judge up for retention last year was not only ridiculous, it was dangerous and threatened the already overloaded court systems.

Candidates continually use the Society as a venue for their own selfish purposes, which are considered to be in extremely poor taste, and puts the nonprofit at risk for losing its 501C(3) status.

What do celebrities know anyway? The only thing they are good for is raising money and even that's tacky. Do celebrities sway votes? No, that hasn't worked in the past and won't work come election day.

This and That

Philly Mag editor Larry Platt has decided not to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach next year. Platt, a Democrat, said he decided the political process was not for him and that he plans to affect change through journalism.

Former Republican candidate John Featherman got hitched on Christmas Eve to Masako Akiyama at a private residence in Center City. The couple were married by Common Pleas Court Judge Ida Chen. Featherman is known for his flamboyant attire; he favors pastel suits and fashionable headwear. He ran in the GOP 2006 primary against incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and this year as the GOP candidate for clerk of Quarter Sessions. Featherman's day job is a realtor with Prudential Realty; he moonlights as a GOP committeeman in the 5th Ward.

(rcpatel@aol.com)