Democrat Fattah poised to win spot in U.S. House

At a time when the sound and fury of the American political spectacle fills the airwaves across the state, Pennsylvania's second Congressional District -- which includes West Philadelphia -- has been remarkably silent. And that silence is music to the ears of State Senator Chakah Fattah, who, having defeated incumbent Congressman Lucien Blackwell in last May's Democratic primary, is expected to sweep Republican opponent Lawrence Watson two weeks from now. Fattah, a Philadelphia native and a 1986 graduate of the University's Fels Center of Government, is no stranger to political office. The second-term state senator from the seventh district -- which includes both University City and West Philadelphia -- has spent the last 12 years in State Legislature, first in the House from 1982 to 1988 and then in the Senate. But national office has thus far eluded Fattah. When prominent area Congressman William Gray stepped down from his second District seat in 1991, Fattah decided to throw his hat into the ring. But, entering the race late and running as a candidate of Consumer Party, Fattah was soundly defeated by Democratic Party candidate Lucien Blackwell. Fattah said he was not disappointed by the loss because he had helped shape the political agenda Blackwell brought to Washington. "It's not important who the messenger is, but what the message is," he said on the night of his defeat. But, two years later, Fattah and a good number of others in the district were dissatisfied with Blackwell's message, said Raymond Jones, Fattah's press secretary. Fattah decided to once again challenge Blackwell for the Democratic nomination and what many observers believed would be another lopsided race in Blackwell's favor suddenly turned into one of the hottest races of the primary season. The election came to be viewed as a great generational battle. Fattah, 37, a member of the new generation of black politicians -- capable of reaching out across racial, economic and class boundaries with strong grassroots campaigning -- was pitted against 64-year-old Blackwell, whose flamboyant style and old political machine were attacked as out of touch with today's urban reality. "Chaka's style is more about coalition building," Jones said. "It's about getting a variety of folks who would never get in the same room together and convincing them that everyone has something to gain through cooperation." Blackwell's campaign suffered a major blow after it was revealed that his supporters had forged approximately 50 signatures on petitions needed to place the incumbent Congressman's name on the ballot. Although Fattah decided to drop the charges against Blackwell rather than reveal the names of those who alerted him of the fraud, Blackwell's campaign never fully recovered and Fattah edged him out to capture the Democratic party nomination in the primary election. In the overwhelmingly democratic second district, that nomination assures Fattah an easy victory this November. Fattah's GOP challenger, Watson, is a perennial also-ran, having faced and lost to Fattah in State Senate races twice before. Watson's campaign is so-low profile its headquarters did not take out a listing in the Philadelphia phone book. Although Fattah has no specific plans he wishes to implement upon his arrival to Congress, he said last week that he will continue to push for urban renewal, education reform and changes in public housing. He favors more low-rise, communal building projects. Political experts say Fattah will be a man to watch on Capitol Hill with the potential to play a strong leadership role in the Congressional Black Caucus. In addition to being a graduate of the Fels Center of Government, Fattah has other University links. He attended the Wharton Community Education Program and his daughter, Frances Fattah, is a college sophomore.