Michael Livingston's Blog

Purple in Pennsylvania

Schmidt shows GOP the way in Philly

When I ran for Congress in Philadelphia, I couldn’t get the Inquirer to return my phone calls, much less endorse me. Imagine my surprise at seeing Sunday’s op-ed page state in large letters “Watchdog role suits Schmidt” and endorse Republican Al Schmidt for city controller. It is a sign that Republicans can indeed be taken seriously in Philadelphia if they work at it rather than make the usual excuses—and in this case, maybe even win.

Anyone who follows the news can see why Philadelphia would need an independent controller. What’s impressive is how Schmidt has turned this sentiment into actual support. In an interview last week, he put two Blackberries on the table and checked messages while firing away answers to the usual questions—Can you win? Are you raising money? Are the other Republicans doing anything to help you?—and generally giving the sense of someone who was in it to win.

While grateful for all support, he is wisely not depending on help from Republican ward leaders, who have a record of, well, less than enthusiastic support for reform, especially if it affects them. True to his take-no-prisoners approach, Schmidt refused to even consider a question about his post-elections plans.

If Schmidt’s enthusiasm—and the city’s corrupt political culture—give him a chance, a fundraiser that I attended shows what he has to overcome. Although the campaign is aimed at Democrats and independents, most in attendance were the usual Republican stalwarts, albeit perhaps a bit younger and hipper than the average crowd. Schmidt claims he has other supporters, and The Inquirer‘s endorsement would seem to bear that out. Win or lose, he has showed that is eminently possible to run a real GOP campaign in Philadelphia: all you have to do is try.