Much props to you wanting to run for Mayor , keep the hope alive, but for some one under 25 to run for Mayor and actually win in Philly is impossible! But anything is possible in this day , especially in this lifetime. Especially for someone who doesn't have experience to run a city like Philly. What happen to loving the 20's , having fun, chasing girls for some. Does anyone do that any more?

What about enjoying life, college, maybe finding love for the 10th time. There is so much you can do, for some just going to the clubs is enough. Who wants to run a city like this at 21 anyway? Who seriously wants this job at any age is amazing to me. More of the youth need to learn about politics, come to the polls and learn about the election process. I don't think this is the best idea, but hey who am I to crush some one's dreams. I had dreams of running one time myself, then I woke up and left those aspirations to the idiots that really want that job.

Hey I guess if your old enough to smoke ,drink , kill, make children, defend your country, rent a car, leave the country, gamble ,why not run for Mayor right??????

Luv Ya T.P. Jr, Make us all proud!!!!!!!

Junior Williams
juniorwililams007@earthlink.net
http://mycityscapephily.eponym.com/blog

I was not as focused at 21 like Mr. West is now. I was just trying to find out who I was and how much fun I could get into in my young 20's , but this guy seems to have his head together. Focused to make a change whether he succeeds or not. I have to give my props to that, this is what future is all about.

What I ask of Mr. West is to not be alone in his quest and to be a positive example for people his age to follow. When Tony Payton ran for State Rep all was against him. He never gave up, believed in himself, believe that this city and state needed change. Dreams are what drives us to do great things. Whether he makes a change in Philly politics or not just him being there is history. We should recognize and pay attention to the youth of this city . They don't all want to hang on corners, hang on Myspace, and cause trouble. Some recognize like we do that change is needed in this city, they just want to do their part!

But 21 is still young to run Philly, have fun young man. You have my full support! The last person I said was the future of Philly politics ended up our State Rep. Do I know how to call'em or what.

Junior Williams
juniorwililams007@earthlink.net
http://mycityscapephily.eponym.com/blog

I'm sitting here trying to decide whether or not to take this seriously. But, since I have gotten by butt kicked by clients all day (see Rep. Cohen what accountability means), I'm feeling punchy.

When I was 22, I was quite civically active. But, I know I was not experienced enough to be the mayor of a city of 1.5 million people. I had a campaign thing under my belt, extensive planning internships, great non-profit work, graduated from college and started law school. And, despite these, and many other activities, my favorite thing to do was head to either Stone Harbor or Wildwood, N.J. on a summer weekend with friends and no place to stay. I remember driving home from Keenan's in North Wildwood thinking, this is going to last forever. It doesn't.

Enjoy youth, my friend. You can be mayor when you are older with more knowledge of people, business and law. Until then--don't rush it. It will be regretted. And, I don't mean to sound cranky today--but, I am. I don't meant to trivialize what you are doing either. I think we need more young people working in politics.

It is just that, I agree that there should be some type of age restriction on certain offices. No one is seeking (to my knowledge) to amend the constitition to change the age for Congresspeople. It is a matter of experience--not necessarily discrimination.

To the extent that your intentions are just for comedic purposes, ignore all of the above. I do not want to start competing with Ben Waxman for the title "Progressive with the Least Amount of Humor."

Larry:

I think you should petition for the ballot. If you get challenged or even tossed (I'm not sure that you can actually be challenged on that point - it might be the case that nothing could happen until and unless you're elected - the deadline for turning 25 isn't until the election date). You should also petition for a charter change that would drop the age floor for all elected positions in Philly to 18. In theory, a charter change referendum could be on the November ballot along with your candidacy, couldn't it?

However, if you want to be successful in politics, you need to work on your communication skills. It's bad form to correct grammar on a blog, but I'm doing it here because you've made the same mistake in pretty much everything of yours I've read, and they're not just blog posts, they're campaign missives to the electorate. "You're" is a contraction of "you are," "your" is the second person possessive adjective. So it would be "If you're old enough to live and die for your country..."

Also, if you're going to cite facts to bolster your argument, they should be correct. 10,000 is neither the number of signatures required to get an Independent on the ballot for city-wide office this year (1967) or 5% of the votes cast in the 2006 General Election (somewhere in the neighborhood of 21,500).

I think you make a good moral point about the fact that most other counties have the minimum age for elected officials set at 18, but noting that Philadelphia is specifically exempted from this law and then arguing that the law should apply to Philadelphia makes no sense. And then the 21-as-compromise thing flies out of left field - there's no basis for it in any of the laws, and it weakens the points you've made elsewhere regarding what other rights and responsibilities one attains at 18.

Unfortunately, by making these errors, you're thwarting your own assertion that you are prepared to be mayor, by making what some will perceive as youthful mistakes. I wholeheartedly endorse the spirit of this campaign, but must confess that what you've shown so far, while leaving no doubt about your enthusiasm and commitment, raises serious questions about your qualifications beyond the mere fact of your age.

Phillyblog thread

I generally think that age requirements should be eliminated for public office. Let the voters decide.

As for Larry's campaign, I am not really sure what the point is. I understand that he doesn't like Milton Street, but beyond that there doesn't seem to be much substance.

---
http://benwaxman.com

While it would be difficult for an 18-year-old or 22-year-old to raise money, build an organization, and get elected in the primary, I think the primary process could benefit from having a younger person run, whether they are 18 or 32, as an issue candidate. A group of men in their forties, fifties, and sixties doesn't always speak to the same issues that those of us who are younger would raise. Larry West or any other younger candidate speaking at the candidates forum could be a breath of fresh air, even if he didn't have a chance to get elected. (As other people have pointed out, Milton Street has a huge podium by virtue of the fact that 1) he's running for office, 2) he's eminently quotable, because 3) he very well may be crazy.

Larry, if I were in your position, I would get as informed as I can about the intricacies of city management and politics -- there's no better time to learn -- but I would focus my campaign on the specific challenges facing younger people in Philadelphia, and all of the larger issues that are important to younger Philadelphians which the more mainstream candidates won't touch. Hammer away on these, push the other candidates into addressing your issues, and you'll get a great deal of positive attention and possibly have a very good effect on the campaign.

Meanwhile, in the absence of a change in the law, maybe Young Philly Politics should groom a 25-35 year old to run as an issue candidate in 2011. YPP gets pretty favorable press now, but that would be a tremendous platform to voice issues important to young progressives.