Congressional campaign runs under the radar

With the presidential election drawing near, Pennsylvania's Second Congressional District election may be slipping under the radar.

Republican candidate Stewart Bolno is challenging Democratic incumbent Chaka Fattah, who has already served five terms in Washington, D.C. and is seeking his sixth.

According to Democratic political analyst Larry Ceisler, this is a "heavily Democratic district -- there is no way a [Republican] representative can win that seat."

But Bolno is determined to try.

"A key issue in Philadelphia that Congress always votes against is public schooling," Bolno said. "We have a system ... where 50 percent of children drop out. The Democratic Party and our current congressman Fattah protect this system."

However, Fattah maintains that he has "passed major bills on education."

"I intend to represent the people of Pennsylvania in Congress for at least the next term, if I'm elected," Fattah said.

The Democrat enjoys overwhelmingly popular support in the city, and may look to another elected office after this term.

"The big question for" Fattah, Ceisler said, "is if the Democrats don't get the majority back, does he want to stay in the minority, or does he want to do something like run for mayor of Philadelphia?"

According to Fattah, he is not hung up on whether there is a Democratic majority or minority in the House of Representatives.

"I focus on substantive issues, not really politics," Fattah said. "My plan is to remain in Congress for the foreseeable future."

Fattah contends that Bolno readily admits to not knowing anything about issues other than public schooling.

"It sounds to me like [Bolno] should run for school board or something," Fattah said. "There are other issues ------ higher education issues, research issues, foreign policy issues -- and he just has a blank page on them."

Bolno is happy to stick to education, and has pledged to surround himself with knowledgeable people.

"It's sad that liberals think they can build a system where society should care" for kids instead of parents caring for their kids, Bolno said.

"The most significant factor is the engagement of the parent. Bill Cosby was right," he added, alluding to comments about failing public education that the comedian made earlier this year in Washington, D.C. and at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People convention in Philadelphia.

"It's rude and inconsiderate if the parent doesn't care," Bolno said. "The community could give more pressure to irresponsible parents. Peer pressure and shame matter -- they can be useful techniques."

Fattah has "served West Philadelphia," Ceisler said, "as a member of [Congress] and a state senator for many years. He's a hard worker and innovative."

The congressman is so confident of his own re-election that he has been promoting the Democratic presidential ticket instead.

"I'm not as focused on my own race," Fattah said. "I'm much more focused on the presidential race."

While Fattah is concentrating on Sen. John Kerry's national campaign, Bolno is not content with the status quo in Philadelphia.

According to Bolno, "My opponent once said that the Philadelphia school system is better than any other large city school system in the country."

"It's like pointing out the prettiest pig on the farm -- it doesn't really matter."

"My goal," Bolno said, "is to increase the number of Philadelphia voters who vote Republican. I hope we have a safe and an honest election, [and] I hope I do as well as possible."

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