Mayoral hopefuls turn to poll stats, ex-cons

The millionaire and the ex-con seeking to unseat Mayor Nutter pondered very different types of numbers yesterday as they honed their political strategies.

For businessman Tom Knox, it's about poll numbers and personal fortune. Knox, who spent about $12 million of his own cash to finish second to Nutter in the 2007 Democratic primary, says poll results expected today will help him decide whether to run again in the primary this year or stage a third-party run in the general election.

For Milton Street, it's about an army of ex-offenders and a tech-heavy campaign waged on a shoestring budget. The former state senator, released from federal prison in November, said he is counting on the help of 300,000 former inmates to help him best Nutter in the primary.

Both were busy yesterday.

Knox said two people - he declined to identify them - dropped off nominating petitions at his office this week and urged him to get into the primary.

"They're all asking me to to run," Knox said.

But Knox, who has publicly flirted with the idea of a third-party run in the general election so that he could seek votes from Republicans and independents, said the poll he launched Monday will tell him whether he can prevail in a primary challenge to Nutter.

A Nutter spokeswoman, advised yesterday about Knox's poll, said Nutter is eager "to tell voters about his record of accomplishment and his continued vision for Philadelphia" on issues such as crime prevention and education.

Knox said Street's entry into the primary, made official with a West Philly rally yesterday, will play no role in his decision.

"I'm glad he's there because all he'll do is give Nutter hell," Knox said, laughing. "He's a bugger. I wish he had some financing so he could put a couple of television ads on."

Street yesterday said he has "zero" financing but claimed that "all of Fort Knox's money" won't defeat an army of ex-offenders.

Street, who spent 26 months in prison and a halfway house for not paying $413,000 in taxes on $3 million in income, wants to convert his time behind bars into political street currency.

Street, wearing a black beret and white sneakers, stood in the bed of a pickup truck near the busy SEPTA station at 52nd and Market yesterday, repeatedly saying that he would stand up for people who are considered "don't-counts" in the city.

He pledged to hire 3,000 people to help patrol city neighborhoods, claiming the money saved in local jail costs by preventing crime would pay their salaries.

Street challenged Nutter to a debate, predicting the mayor would not accept the offer.

"He's got no shot," Street said. "He will not stand up in front of voters of Philadelphia and debate Milton Street. And I will tell you why: Because I am pregnant with information. And I am prepared in any debate to wax eloquent all up and down."

Nutter's campaign declined to comment on Street's challenge.

Street, brother of former Mayor John Street, said he does not care about people who think his criminal record or his 2005 bankruptcy case make him unsuitable to serve as mayor.

"They're not the people who are going to vote for me," Street said. "They're the penthouse people. They're the people who sit up in ivory towers and set policy."

In fact, Street completely forgot about his bankruptcy.

"I don't remember going bankrupt," he said. "I've done a lot of things. But I don't think I've ever gone bankrupt."

Staff writer Bob Warner contributed to this report.