Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
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May
18, 2006
A
strong showing by newcomer pols
Progressive newcomers made a dent in the formidable city Democratic Party machine Tuesday, winning almost 50 city committee seats and beating out some well-established insiders. Among those apparently defeated were 5th Ward leader Sam Rappaport in Center City and state Rep. Thomas Blackwell, a committeeman in West Philadelphia's 6th Ward. |
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"I think it's two things," said Marc Stier, 50, head of Neighborhood Networks, one of several progressive groups that had members running. "People are tired of the old kind of politics, they're tired by the corruption. I think it's also that they're hopeful. People are starting to believe." Stier said that at least 35 Neighborhood Networks members were elected as committeemen and -women. A handful of them were re-elected to those jobs. And Hannah Miller, of the activist group Philly for Change, said at least 13 members of her group won. Although 50 is a small number considering that there are two Democratic committee members for each of the city's 1,681 polling places, activists say this is a good start. "This is our introduction to Philadelphia politics as a group of people," said Miller, 30. "We're only going to build on this." These groups decided to run people for city committee to gain a foothold in the party machine. The low-ranking jobs - essentially unpaid poll workers - are often winnable without money or backing. Many of those running said they got the political bug during the last presidential election working for MoveOn.org or for candidates. Philly for Change was founded by former Howard Dean supporters. After the presidential election, they wanted to keep working for progressive causes locally. That's the mission of the married couple, both involved in Neighborhood Networks, who beat veteran ward leader Rappaport. Andrea Missias received 80 votes and her husband, Robert Manning, received 65 votes to 63 for Rappaport. Two absentee ballots and one provisional ballot remain to be counted, so he may not be out yet. But Manning, 38, a math professor at Haverford College, said both were excited for "the chance to talk with candidates and be a part of the discussion." Manning said Rappaport had asked them not to run, telling them they were causing trouble. "We had a lot of support from people in the party, other committee people in other divisions," he said. "It was mostly just the guy we're running against who sent us negative vibes." Rappaport did not return calls for comment. Another longtime party member defeated was 63rd Ward leader Chris Drumm. Drumm's wife, Maureen, and Russian student Natalie Minkovsky won the two committee slots in Drumm's division. But Drumm, who was not a committeeman and was running simply to fill a vacancy, said he welcomed Minkovsky, also of Neighborhood Networks. "If they have more like her, I'll take them," he said. Drumm said he expected to be re-elected as ward leader. You do not have to be a committeeman or committeewoman to be elected ward leader. In the meantime he and Minkovsky will work together. "He didn't have people who were active before," said Minkovsky, 41. "I hope to organize people in our neighborhood." * |