Philadelphia To Choose The Next President? Uh Oh!!

Philadelphia is a real hotbed of Presidential Primary excitement right about now.

I should know. I just spent the weekend there.

The signs are out in force. “Vote Obama” here. “Clinton 2008” over there. I also saw a “Hillary For President” sign jammed into a huge pile of dirt on the side of the road. I’m not sure if that was due to a clever Obama operative making a subtle statement, or a confused but resourceful Clinton supporter.

No matter where you go around town, a political fever hovers in the air like a malarial cloud. Wave after wave of hard-ass Clinton attacks and weak-kneed Obama rebuttals waft across every cheesesteak-cooking grill in the city.

Hillary Clinton claims that Obama's refusal to eat 3 of these in one sitting is "Un-American"

The smells of thinly-sliced sirloin, fried onions, Cheez Whiz, and hopes for universal healthcare are ubiquitous in these parts.

You could smell it, feel it, taste it. The difference was palpable.

Or maybe it was just a little humid, and there was a raging tire fire somewhere in South Philly.

Smell of hot, flaming political rivalry in the air? Or was someone shooting propane tanks down by the old tire dump?

In any case, it’s no surprise that the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary race hinges upon the voting preferences of the good people of Philly town.

For fair disclosure, I should let you know that I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I love the city, and even plan to move back there some day to buy a house and raise a family – or vice versa.

Rich in history - the first capital of the United States, and home of the Liberty Bell – it seems only fitting that Philadelphians should have such big influence on this all-important election. But even I feel a little uncomfortable about letting these folks decide who our next President will be. And like it or not, that’s essentially what April 22nd boils down to.

Keep in mind that this is the home of the notoriously unforgiving sports fans, who once booed Santa Claus during an Eagles game in 1968, and who, during a Phillies game 30 years later, threw batteries at an unassuming J.D. Drew.

My point is that, in Philadelphia, this type of behavior spans across generations. Hillary might do better with older Philadelphians – those who pelted Santa with snowballs during a football game. But Barack does well with the younger generation – who rained double-A’s down upon the head and shoulders of a mostly innocent outfielder.

Who will Philadelphia choose for us as the next President?

Do either of these groups really know who’ll make a better nominee?

Do they know who has a better shot to beat McCain in the fall?

Should we wait and see for whom they vote, and then hope and pray that the other candidate wins the nomination?

Just kidding, fellow Philadelphians!! May your voices be heard on high!

Go Eagles!!!!