aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South

Friday, February 15, 2008

How can Nutter sidestep Obama?

So asks Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall today:

While the Obama Express is rolling this way fast, change and hope already have unpacked in Philly.

Our own Mayor Nutter, known for his bold style, straight talk, and coalition-building, like Obama, got some national face time on ABC World News Tonight this week. He was introduced by anchor Charles Gibson as the mayor who is “making a lot of changes and a lot of friends.”

It feels refreshing, this young, new kind of African American politicians - Nutter, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty - leaders who don’t make race their only talking points.

Both Booker and Fenty have endorsed Obama, not surprising since he’s almost a mirror image of them.

But the man who probably draws the most comparisons to him - from his inclusive politics to his Ivy League training to his ability to transcend race - isn’t supporting Obama.

You can hear Nutter now. Hillary, it’s a new day. [...]

“No,” he replied. “I’ve met Sen. Obama and admire him. My choice was based on who I thought would be the best for Philly, and I think Sen. Clinton is that person.”

It feels like we’ve all been down this road before. It will be interesting to see how long his support will last.

Here’s the ABC News segment on Nutter.