Well, it is of course an exciting time to be in Philadelphia. I know I speak for many when I say that it is a real pleasure to hear Michael Nutter speak, with his hopeful vision for the city. Of course, he does not have solutions for the major problems facing the city; and some of his proposals strike me as far-fetched or difficult to implement; but it is great to hear his pitch for civic involvement and a clear vision for what the city can be. I look forward to seeing what happens, and being a part of it.

So we will face an important decision in 4 years. Will we re-elect him or not? It is doubtful that any major tectonic shifts in attitude or social forces will have occurred; so we will have to decide on whether to support him based on some interval benchmarks.

So I ask now: What are the absolute MUSTs that must be in place in the spring of 2011 to assure your vote and support for Nutter II?

So Dwight Evans came to my church today. It is the second time I have heard him speak. The first was at a candidate's forum and I was less than impressed, as I felt he was pandering to the pols in the room and not answering questions. Until today, I was leaning heavily Nutter. (True to form, dithering between the two guys last in the polls).

Today, Evans really blew me away. The guy had good solid answers for all the questions. Not firm policy promises, but a sense of vision; and a sense of knowing how to lead; that I have not heard from the other candidates. What especially rang true was his assertion that his experience at the state level would make H'burg-Philly relations much easier with him in charge.