PHILADELPHIA – May 10, 2007 – The Committee of Seventy today condemned what it called a “blatantly racial” television advertisement produced by “One Step Closer, a “527” committee targeting mayoral candidate Michael Nutter.

“Racial attacks are offensive and disrespectful, not only to the person against whom the attack is directed but to every Philadelphian,” said Zack Stalberg, Seventy’s President and CEO. “Using racially-based ‘no-holds barred’ tactics for political advantage have no place in any campaign.”

The “One Step Closer” advertisement comes on the heels of the most recent Keystone poll showing Nutter with a ten point lead over his nearest competitor, businessman Tom Knox.

The ad, which first appeared earlier this week on YouTube, contains footage that equates Nutter’s proposal for police “stop and frisks” of people suspected of carrying illegal weapons with confrontations in the 1960s between police and civil rights activists. A second ad that surfaced yesterday on CBS3 contains a revised narrative that, at the request of the station, deleted a prediction that Nutter would “suspend constitutional rights” in targeted neighborhoods.

Seventy has repeatedly denounced the increasing use of “527” committees in the mayoral race as “perversions of the campaign process.” Although there are no confirmed ties between any of the mayoral candidates and “One Step Closer,” a report in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer confirms fundraising calls for the group made by Mayor John Street. Street’s nephew and former campaign manager, Shawn Fordham, is a paid consultant to the “527” committee. The Inquirer also reported that initial funding for “One Step Closer” came from a committee that led Mayor‘s Street’s 2003 voter registration efforts that was managed by Gregory Naylor, a former staffer for mayoral candidate Chaka Fattah.

“In the final days of a campaign, there is a temptation on the part of a candidate’s supporters, particularly candidates that are behind in the polls, to do and say anything to capture votes,” said Stalberg. “We commend Channel 3 for recognizing the potentially enormous damage of the ‘One Step Closer’ ad by demanding changes in the most insidious portions of the narrative.”

In a February 1st Philadelphia Daily News op-ed, Seventy’s Chairman Howard L. Meyers called for a rejection of “any appeal – either explicit or covert – to race, ethnicity, religion of other factors irrelevant to the issues or your competence.” Seventy also co-signed a letter with the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia, Asian American United, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, the League of Women Voters of Philadelphia and the Urban League of Philadelphia asking the candidates to “set an example” by denouncing “racism and bigotry” and viewing Philadelphia’s diversity as a “positive force.” Stalberg today asked the letter’s co-signers to join Seventy is condemning the negativity demonstrated in the “One Step Closer” advertisement.

Stalberg noted Seventy’s early insistence that candidates refrain from using the race card in their statements and political advertisements. In a January 2nd letter to the candidates, which accompanied Seventy’s Ethics Agenda that has been endorsed by all five Democratic mayoral contenders, Stalberg asked them to “demonstrate your value system by running a clean campaign” that includes “articulate[d] ground rules for your campaign workers, for allies who work on your behalf and for organizations that campaign in your name.”

“Once again, Seventy cautions voters not to be unduly persuaded by positive or negative ads aired by any candidate or committee,” said Stalberg. “Voters should do their own homework on the issues, the candidates’ background and their vision for the future of Philadelphia.”

The Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan organization conducting a permanent campaign to improve the Philadelphia region by demanding ethical conduct of public officials, safeguarding elections, promoting government efficiency and educating citizens.

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