A low-profile Congressman in Washington but a “big-city boss” back home — that’s how a new POLITICO profile describes Democratic Rep. Bob Brady.
POLITICO details the 10-term 1st District Congressman’s crucial role in bringing the 2016 Democratic convention to Philadelphia. Brady has chaired Philadelphia’s Democratic Party since 1986 and was responsible for much of the behind-the-scenes work that led to Philadelphia’s bid.
Brady has pushed for Philadelphia to host the Democratic convention since 2010. The profile notes the clash between Brady and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who passed on the opportunity to put in a bid for the 2012 convention.
Tension between the mayor and the Congressman stems from the 2007 mayoral race, when Brady lost the bid to Nutter. Despite the conflict between the two men, Nutter was ready to pursue a bid for this cycle’s convention. During a conference call with reporters last week, he recalled signing a letter after turning down the 2012 bid that the city “would be first in line seeking the 2016 convention.”
Figures like Nutter and former Gov. Ed Rendell, who will co-chair the PHLDNC2016 host committee, were recognized nationally for their efforts to bring the convention to Philadelphia. Brady, though, called himself “a workhorse; some people are show horses.”
“I do what has to get done behind the scenes,” Brady told POLITICO.
Nutter dismissed the idea of crediting certain lawmakers with leading the charge, arguing that “we hosted every possible person at the press announcement.”
“I give regular ‘credit’ to everyone including Brady, but this is not a high school project where everyone gets a ‘blue ribbon,’ this is adult work and we all have roles to play,” Nutter stated.
Former Rep. Allyson Schwartz was also weary of over-praising Brady, saying that the Congressman should “get the credit for initiating this conversation” but that the whole host committee, which Brady asked her to join, did their part.
Rendell, though, called Brady “the single most influential Democrat” in the Philadelphia area in the past two decades. He likened Brady to the coach of the team, driving everyone toward a common goal.
“Did Bob Brady raise a lot of money? No, I raised the most money,” Rendell told POLITICO. “Did he do any work to put the bid together? No. But without Bob Brady bringing us all together and saying, ‘Come on guys, let’s roll,’ we never would have been here.”