5 Democrats seek to succeed storied Philly DA

[Story]

From
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...TAM&SECTION=US

5 Democrats seek to succeed storied Philly DA

By PATRICK WALTERS
Associated Press Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- For nearly 20 years, District Attorney Lynne Abraham has led an office whose alumni include Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, Sen. Arlen Specter and the chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

But for the first time since her appointment in 1991, the woman dubbed "America's deadliest DA" for her aggressive pursuit of the death penalty is not seeking re-election.

Six candidates are vying to replace Abraham, 68, at a time when cash-strapped Philadelphia is struggling to curb gun violence, encourage reluctant witnesses to come forward and confront pay-to-play corruption.

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Seth Williams, 42, a former Abraham assistant who challenged her four years ago, is seeking to become the city's first black DA He has the backing of several key African-American groups, some of which have criticized Abraham for her pursuit of the death penalty.
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(Daniel) McElhatton, 59, was a Philadelphia city councilman for one term from 1992 to 1996. He also served as an assistant district attorney before Abraham took office.

Dan McCaffery, 44, also a former assistant district attorney under Abraham, is the brother of state Supreme Court Judge Seamus McCaffery.

Two other candidates are considered dark horses in a race that has generated little voter attention in an off-year election.

Brian Grady, 40, also served as an assistant under Abraham. Twelve years ago, he gained attention when he punched a defense attorney in the face during an argument in a judge's chambers. He was fined and suspended and has apologized.

Michael Turner, 52, served as an assistant in the office before Abraham. The son of a retired Philadelphia police officer, has said he will not accept money from political action committees or solicit endorsements.

[tes151]

From
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...TAM&SECTION=US

5 Democrats seek to succeed storied Philly DA

By PATRICK WALTERS
Associated Press Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- For nearly 20 years, District Attorney Lynne Abraham has led an office whose alumni include Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, Sen. Arlen Specter and the chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

But for the first time since her appointment in 1991, the woman dubbed "America's deadliest DA" for her aggressive pursuit of the death penalty is not seeking re-election.

Six candidates are vying to replace Abraham, 68, at a time when cash-strapped Philadelphia is struggling to curb gun violence, encourage reluctant witnesses to come forward and confront pay-to-play corruption.

*
Seth Williams, 42, a former Abraham assistant who challenged her four years ago, is seeking to become the city's first black DA He has the backing of several key African-American groups, some of which have criticized Abraham for her pursuit of the death penalty.
*

(Daniel) McElhatton, 59, was a Philadelphia city councilman for one term from 1992 to 1996. He also served as an assistant district attorney before Abraham took office.

Dan McCaffery, 44, also a former assistant district attorney under Abraham, is the brother of state Supreme Court Judge Seamus McCaffery.

Two other candidates are considered dark horses in a race that has generated little voter attention in an off-year election.

Brian Grady, 40, also served as an assistant under Abraham. Twelve years ago, he gained attention when he punched a defense attorney in the face during an argument in a judge's chambers. He was fined and suspended and has apologized.

Michael Turner, 52, served as an assistant in the office before Abraham. The son of a retired Philadelphia police officer, has said he will not accept money from political action committees or solicit endorsements.

So, this just tells me something I already know. And that is, that there is no way a conservative would stand a chance in hell of getting elected in Philadelphia. And also, the people of Philadelphia will continue to have the government they deserve. Did I miss anything?

[PocketProtector]

So, this just tells me something I already know. And that is, that there is no way a conservative would stand a chance in hell of getting elected in Philadelphia. And also, the people of Philadelphia will continue to have the government they deserve. Did I miss anything?

Nailed it !

[Pennywise]

So, this just tells me something I already know. And that is, that there is no way a conservative would stand a chance in hell of getting elected in Philadelphia. And also, the people of Philadelphia will continue to have the government they deserve. Did I miss anything?

Yes you missed something.
We don't ALL deserve it.

[Yellowfin]

Other than being a big city, exactly what makes Philadelphia a nest of liberalism? (Wanting to know since my wife is from there but not too politically savvy, and I'm a bit of a newcomer.) What can be done to tilt things back to sanity?

[camper]

Other than being a big city, exactly what makes Philadelphia a nest of liberalism?

The politically correct answer is that there are numerous institutes of higher education, and a large concentration of well educated and well read individuals who subscribe to the idea that altruism is, indeed, the highest and most impassioned pursuit of mankind and should be futhered at all cost.

The truth is, there are a lot of colleges in town and colleges are a boot camp for furthering a socialist agenda. Also, the bigger the city the more public housing you will find, and along with the support staff which feeds the welfare beast is equally large and numerous and generally riddled with people who think that only the government can ensure equality of people, and as social workers and agency employees are the hands and feet of that government...they alone have the knowledge and experience to solve the crisis's of others.



camper

[Yellowfin]

Ah, gotcha. So a big chunk of this could be combatted by having successful pro-2A outreach to college students then, possibly getting campus carry enacted. That's not too difficult. How big is Appleseed around there?

College age women can be very gun friendly if introduced properly:

[spratman]

Seamus McCafferty is one tough nut. No nonsense judge and retired cop, if I remember correctly. No bullshit on crime. However, I do not know his 2nd Amendment opinions. No reason the kid wouldn't be the same. Not that I am voting in the Philly area.

Lynne Abraham is as anti-gun as they come. Her solution to everything is banning guns so criminals don't have them. She is definitely a hard core prosecutor.

A conservative doesn't stand a snowballs chance in hell in Philly.

[Eugene V. Debs]

Anybody know if any of these candidates are less anti-gun than the others?

[MikeinPhilly]

[QUOTE=spratman;713767]Seamus McCafferty is one tough nut. No nonsense judge and retired cop, if I remember correctly. No bullshit on crime. [QUOTE]


There was an article on philly.com a couple of days ago in regards to a property in NE philly he bought and flipped. Basically a law partner/friend was the adminstrator of of an estate and sold McCafferty the property undervalue without an appraisal (which is required by state law I think it said) and cashed out to the tune of 90k in profit from the low original sale price. So his ethics are already in question from the get go.

I guess its going to be slim pickings to find an upstanding candidate in Philly.