Philadelphia businessman and former Republican mayoral candidate Sam Katz knows that politics and the media definitely have one thing in common: Everything is personal.
"It's always my kids, my family," Katz said.
In an event sponsored by Penn Law School's Film, Music and Media Society, Katz spoke with Law students on Monday about his career and how culture and politics influence one another.
"I thought, with the level of political activity on campus, it would be beneficial to hear someone who's had a lot of contact with the media," said Curtis Jewell, a second-year Law student and president of the Film, Music and Media Society. "His experience in 2003 was interesting and even has applications to the upcoming election."
Katz's career in politics spans decades, during which he has served as an active business and civic leader in Philadelphia. Recently, Katz faced off against current Philadelphia Mayor John Street for the position in 2003, losing after rumors of a Federal Bureau of Investigation bug in the office of the incumbent Street stirred Democratic sentiment in the city.
Katz's experience illustrates how media, politics and law have become increasingly intertwined.
"I have had an interesting career in business and politics, and I like sharing my experiences, good and bad," Katz said.
In 2003, it looked as if Katz had a good chance to be the first Republican mayor of the city since 1952, until the public became convinced that top Washington, D.C. Republicans had conspired to plant a bug in an effort to sabotage the race. Suddenly, Katz dipped from seven points ahead to 24 points behind Street in the polls, ultimately losing in a landslide.
"It worked because there was such animosity against the Bush administration," Katz said. "Intelligent people were willing to believe that I was close allies with the administration and wanted to have Philadelphia elect Bush as president. Had it not happened to me, I would have thought it inconceivable that people would believe the conspiracy."
Media serve as the intermediary between politicians and the public, framing how issues are perceived and how discourse is conducted.
Penn Law graduate Marc Khapde points out that the legal system is also being politicized.
"With the [Bush v. Gore] Supreme Court decision in 2000, law and politics will probably be an issue in the upcoming election. People are using lawsuits as a means of effecting political goals," Khapde said. "If you're a lawyer, you're doomed to be involved in politics."
On Tuesday, Americans will again have firsthand experience with the dynamics of politics and culture.
"This is an election where everything matters," Katz said. "Every vote has become important. The air war, TV and media, and the ground war, phone banks and canvassing, are going to spell the difference. My own experience suggests that the intensity that has characterized this election was present in 2003 in the mayoral election."
And students can make their mark by submitting a ballot on Nov. 2., according to Katz.
"Voting will be a statement from our generation," Jewell said. "It will be clear that we are a group that needs to be addressed."
