They're candidates - and gentlemen

At last week's debate in West Philadelphia, mayoral candidates Michael Nutter and Al Taubenberger criticized Philadelphia's city government. They criticized Philadelphia's rising crime rates. They criticized the failing public-school system.

One thing they didn't criticize? Each other.

As the election moves into its final week, this unusual civility that has typified the race between Democratic nominee Nutter and Republican candidate Taubenberger is an odd fact for a city usually marked by political in-fighting.

And while most view the lack of negative ads and personal attacks in the race as an improvement, others say that the civility may just be a symptom of an uncompetitive election - and a sign of abysmal voter turnout rates next week.

"If it hits 20 percent, it would be a big surprise," said Zack Stalberg, president of the Committee of Seventy, a non-partisan group that combats government corruption. "But Philadelphia's last mayoral campaign couldn't have been more nasty, so it's a positive development."

Stalberg was referring to the bitterly contested 2003 election in which John Street handily beat Republican nominee Sam Katz after months of personal attacks were levied by both sides.

No petty politicking has been seen in this year's contest, however, as Nutter, a former City Councilman, is a virtual lock to win the general election next Tuesday, thanks to the Democratic party's huge registration advantage in the city and the lack of an opposition of Katz's stature.

But at last week's debate at the Intercultural Family Services Inc., Nutter emphasized that he was "taking the race very seriously," adding that to do otherwise "would disrespect Al and the voters."

Taubenberger returned the compliments, calling his opponent a "great guy and a friend."

Both candidates have touted the civility of the race as essential to discussing the real issues that affect the city.

"It's not a local edition of American Gladiator," Nutter said in a televised debate on CBS 3 earlier this month.

Nutter's campaign since the summer has been a breeze compared to the contentious five-way Democratic primary that saw the former Councilman jump to the front of the pack in the last weeks before the May election, which he ultimately won easily.

That campaign was marked by a slew of personal attacks.

Taubenberger said last week that he had made a vow with Nutter to avoid using attack-ads in the campaign because they "depress everyone" and drive down civic engagement.

But while voters may be turned off by negative ads, there isn't conclusive evidence that the ads decrease voter turnout, said Communications professor Joseph Cappella.

"Negative ads can very well generate interest and conversation" by allowing "issues to be discussed in a consequential way," he said.

"Most observers would say that the serious discussion happened during the Democratic primaries," he added. "For now at least, that's the truth."

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