Back Channels | How to lose the hangdog attitude

Commentary Philadelphia Republicans
Back Channels How to lose the hangdog attitude
By Kevin Ferris
Commentary Page Editor
Believe it or not, there are Republicans in Philadelphia who would like to try to win elections. Not just show up for the annual ballot-box slaughter. Actually compete for votes. Offer alternatives on issues. Give Philadelphians a choice of policies when it comes to solving the city's problems.
Some Republican candidates have done that, most notably Sam Katz in his tries for mayor. But too often, such campaigns are built around one candidate, and when that race is finished, it seems the party is, too. The momentum dies. The GOP gets put up on a shelf, to be dusted off in two or four years to back the next elephant-riding Don Quixote.
Some would like to change that dynamic.
In January, 400 to 500 people turned out for a candidate night sponsored by the Philadelphia Federation of Young Republicans at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City. When the first candidate rose to speak, the fire alarm sounded, clearing much of the room. Fortunately, there was no fire, fueling speculation that it was really a "GOP alarm" - that is, if 500 Republicans gather that close to City Hall, it trips a switch somewhere that puts Democrats on full alert.
Since then, some of the folks at the candidate night have stayed in touch, by phone, e-mail or in person. They've been asked what they think of next year's mayoral election. Specifically, what does the city GOP need to do to get in the game? So far, the media attention is going to six or seven Democrats who are running or considering a run. The Republican candidate-development plan seems to be to hope for one of the other party's rejects, like electricians' union leader John J. Dougherty.
One result of those conversations is today's impassioned commentary by Kevin Kelly, who organized the Crystal Tea Room event. He's not speaking for his group, but he's not alone in his concerns.
To start, considering recent events in the city, some Republicans have recently said they couldn't believe all the talk of Democrats' having a lock on winning again next year.
Joseph M. McColgan of the Northeast says, "When a corruption scandal within the walls of City Hall is firing on all cylinders, and you hear nothing from any Republican in the City of Philadelphia, that is not a good thing."
Robert S. Nix of Fox Chase agrees: "The local Republican Party is not yet taking full advantage of the opportunities presenting themselves through widespread disgust and distrust of longtime local Democratic Party control... . The Republican Party leadership is simply too resistant to change and too comfortable with the role of being the minority party."
McColgan says, "Questioning our leaders is the most important thing... . I'm not saying challenge the ward or committee structure or be disrespectful or obnoxious. But I am saying challenge them to do better, to think differently, and to accept that change is good and should not be perceived as a threat."
Republicans agree that there is no shortage of issues to campaign on. Nix says the priorities have to be crime and youth violence. McColgan has those on his list, but also stresses education, business development, job creation, lower taxes, and restructuring city government. ("Do we really need seven at-large Council seats?" he asks.)
Mara Toukatly of Fairmount says the party needs specific policy proposals that reject the a la carte approach to tackling issues. For example, she suggests a "full-blown initiative" that puts education, business, jobs and taxes on a continuum. First, she wants a push for a majority of city high school graduates to attend college, a local college. She believes businesses would be drawn to that local talent - if there's a sensible tax structure in place - and would create jobs that would keep local grads local. After some work experience, she wants those young people starting their own businesses - and then hiring local grads.
Local Republicans also emphasize finding, mentoring and training people to go out and compete - for mayor and other offices as well.
Jeff Jubelirer of Center City says: "The Republican Party needs to take baby steps. We need to convert a Democrat with moderate points of view who will show Philadelphians that the world isn't going to fall down because they vote Republican. Electing a mayor would be wonderful, a home run, better than we could hope for. But if we can't get mayor, why not go for Council districts or state representative?"
Of course, this is partisan talk, spoken by people who want to see one party replace another in City Hall. But these people are also Philadelphians who want to see their city succeed, who believe an election should involve more than a backroom deal that allows a mayor and a congressman to switch jobs.
As McColgan says, "It boils down to one thing: leadership, not only from the party in power, but from the party not in power - the desire to do good, not for yourself or your friends, but for the people."
Contact Commentary Page editor Kevin Ferris at kf@phillynews.com or 215-854-5801.