Asking a politician to grade another politician, who lives in the same city, who shares the same political party, and have the same constituent base is not asking for the harshest of critiques. But given that It’s only fair to hear how someone like U.S. Congressman Bob Brady views the mayor’s first two years in office.

Brady is also Chair of the Democratic Committee in Philadelphia. Oh, one other thing. He ran against Michael Nutter in the 2007 Democratic Mayoral Primary. Brady lost and instead became “Mayor of Capitol Hill” a title you get when you ascend to chairman of the Committee on House Administration in Washington D.C. He oversees a $3 billion budget that among other things get to decide things that really matter to a politician staffing size and parking assignments.

But both Brady and Nutter have helped keep Philadelphia afloat during a recession that made federal dollars akin to a lifeline. So here’s Bob Brady’s assessment of Michael Nutter’s first two years as Mayor of Philadelphia.

Bob Brady

By Congressman Bob Brady

It is too easy to be an arm chair quarterback as Mayor Nutter navigates the city through very, very difficult economic times. The Mayor’s job is a front line challenge and there is no passing of the buck, so all of the hard pressed issues are on display for everyone to view. That being said I think the mayor has done a good job in keeping the city on course. Crime is down, there is renewed attention being paid to our public schools, the city population is apparently increasing and in spite of the recession new projects are breaking ground.

What is important to remember and what I have assured the Mayor of is
that we are in this thing together. This is our city and I am committed
to do all I can to help the Mayor make the city grow and prosper.

However as Mayor Nutter says and all of us know, there is so much more
that has to be done to insure the safety of all Philadelphians, increase
employment and job training programs and make the city a place where
people want to raise and educate their families. Too many in
Philadelphia are being ground down by the loss of jobs and the lack of
opportunity, but these are issues that cities all across America are
facing. And, with the leadership of Mayor Nutter and the leadership of
President Obama, who clearly understands the plight of our cities, we
are positioned to move Philadelphia forward.