Congressman Harold Ford Jr. wants to make one request of all Philadelphians -- to re-elect Mayor John Street on Nov. 4.
Around 40 students, faculty and others interested in the mayoral race gathered in Logan Hall on Saturday afternoon to listen to Ford speak. The Penn College Democrats hosted this pro-Street event.
Ford, a congressman from Tennessee, graduated from Penn in 1992. At 33, he is one of the youngest members of Congress and has aspirations to become a U.S. senator.
Pennsylvania Congressman Robert Brady, who teaches a graduate course at Penn, said in his introductory comments that Ford was more than worthy of such status.
"He's one of the youngest, one of the brightest, one of the most articulate people in Congress," Brady said, adding that Ford has been an inspiration to him.
Yet both Brady and Ford were determined not to let Ford's celebrity distract people from the issue at hand, and emphasized Street's sterling qualities.
Brady said that he had known Street for 25 years, and that "there's not a dishonest bone in his body." Ford added that there were few politicians one could say that about.
Like any politician running for office, Street had made many promises. But the difference was, according to Ford, that Street had "come through on all the things he promised."
"He's done a good job as your mayor," Ford said. "Everything he said he'd do, he's done."
Ford claimed that Philadelphia had improved tremendously and noticeably in the four years that Street has been mayor.
"I think the city looks better, smells better, people have jobs," Ford said. "It's the kind of city you want to work and raise your kids in."
Brady and Ford also discussed the effect of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's probe of Street's office on the Street campaign.
Both called such strikes on Street's character ridiculous, and also questioned the timing of the investigation.
"Why now? If there's something out there, just put it out there," Ford said, criticizing the FBI's method of slowly leaking potentially damaging information.
Ford added that Street's handling of the matter testifies to his strength of character, in contrast to Bush's treatment of the scandal involving the exposure of CIA agent and weapons of mass destruction expert Valerie Plame.
"I give John Street great credit, because he didn't take the George Bush out," Ford said, noting that Bush should have quickly taken action to find the source of the leak. "Street faced the criticism and everything."
Ford's reasons for supporting Street included his friendship with Street's son, Sharif, and his belief that "your mayor's done one hell of a job." His last motive, though, was a national one.
"Democrats need to win this election," Ford said, claiming that Pennsylvania would vote the same way as Philadelphia.
"How this election turns... will play a big role on many Democrats in determining who the next president is."
Perhaps inevitably, the talk and questions posed by the audience turned to national and international affairs. While Ford supports the war in Iraq, he remains unhappy with the post-war reconstruction and the effect it has had on America.
"The direction we are headed in is the wrong direction," Ford said. "I think President Bush... is in over his head."
He added that voting for Street was essential to correct mistakes that had been made.
"Without him, we will have a hard time putting this country back on the right path."
Student reaction to Ford and the lecture was positive.
"I thought he was remarkably articulate," College junior Jenny Lane said, adding that she was greatly impressed when she saw him speak last May at a Fox Leadership event.
One aspect of Ford particularly struck her. "I want to marry him," she said. "He's gorgeous."
Several found the speech inspirational and insightful.
"I thought it was very exciting to see the congressman here," said Clarence Tong, vice chairman of political affairs for the Asian Pacific Student Coalition.
"It put in perspective how important this race would be in the national perspective, and made me want to go away and do more," the College senior added.
Organizers, too, were pleased with both the turnout and content of the event.
"I thought the congressman spoke very well," said David Herman, vice president of the Penn College Democrats.
"The most striking thing about him is how young he is," the College senior said. "He's proof that the voices of young Democrats can be heard."
