Chaka Fattah Interview Guide

Chaka Fattah Interview
With the Inquirer Editorial Board
Monday, April 22,2007
Running Time: 1 hour 3 minutes 
Note: This is an edited version.
 
Guide to the Q & A
 
Time: 0:00 to 3 minutes-23 seconds
Editorial Page Editor Chris Satullo opens by asking the Democratic candidate for mayor about his plan to lease Philadelphia International Airport.  The congressman goes into detail about how it would work – and predicts it will come to pass.
 
Time: 3:23 to 7:19
Satullo asks Fattah how the money from the airport lease would be used.  It will generate about $160-$180 million a year, according to the congressman.  Fattah details his plans to fight poverty with the proceeds.
 
Time: 7:20 to 10:21
Editorial Page Deputy Editor Harold Jackson mentions Fattah's first TV ad, which Jackson said seemed aimed mostly at African-Americans and asks: Do you intend to also be mayor of the rest of Philadelphians?  Fattah responds that there was no racial aim.
 
Time: 10:23 to 15:15
Inquirer Columnist Tom Ferrick talks about the Fattah airport plan and asks if the money would be better spent on lowering city taxes rather than creating new programs for the poor.  Fattah says he program for the poor is essential to the city's future.
 
Time: 19:05 to 22:46
Editorial Board member Carolyn Davis says that a centerpiece of the Fattah anti-poverty program is after-school activities and asks if that doesn't duplicate the programs currently run by the city by Safe & Sound.  The candidate does not directly respond.
 
Time: 22:50 to 27:18
Satullo mentions that Fattah has spent most of his life in the legislative branch and asks how he plans to wrestle the city bureaucracy to the ground.  Fattah responds that his experience is vast and that he is confident of his leadership skills.
 
Time: 27:20 to 29:01
Satullo asks if, as mayor, it would be better to focus on prosperity than poverty – in keeping and building the middle class,  Fattah says he plans to do both.
 
 
 
 
Time: 29:30 to 31:04
Editorial Board member Russell Cooke asks about Fattah's plan to give new businesses in the city tax breaks and asks how that can be legal or feasible?  Fattah responds that it is legal and he is confident it is feasible.
 
Time: 31:05 to 37:21
Jackson mentions Fattah's ties to the Street administration and asks how his will be different, especially when it comes to ethics in government.  Fattah disputes that he is tied to Street and says he will run a clean and open government.
 
Time: 37:25 to 40:55
Ferrick asks, in the event the lease of the airport does not go through, what will Fattah do about his ambitious plans to combat poverty.  Fattah says it will have to be scaled back, but he is committed to doing it, regardless of the outcome of the airport deal.
 
Time: 40:56 to 45:59
Ferrick asks Fattah about his statements about police being underpaid.  He wonders how Fattah will confront the issues dealing with the cost of the city payroll and benefits.  Fattah says he wants a partnership with the city employee unions.
 
Time: 46:10 to 47:50
Satullo asks Fattah's thoughts on a replacement of Paul Vallas.  Fattah says he believes the Vallas successor should be an educator.
 
Time: 47:50 to 50:30
Davis asks about how Fattah plans to handle City Council.  Fattah says he will use his political muscle and he also promises to do away with Councilmatic prerogatives on zoning issues in their districts.
 
Time: 50:32 to 54:47
Ferrick asks about Fattah's reputation as being more interested in golfing than governance.  Fattah responds that his record speaks for itself and the criticism is likely racially motivated.
 
Time: 54:55 to 58:45
Satullo asks why Fattah has not raised more money and quotes a pol as saying it is because he isn't working hard enough.  Fattah disputes the contention about his fundraising and complains about the restrictions of the reform law that limits gifts.
 
Time: 58:50 1:03
Satullo gives Fattah the opportunity to say whatever he wants about Tom Knox.  Fattah talks about his records and compares it to his Democratic rival's record.