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| Dilworth, Rizzo and Street: No Holds Barred |
A few politicians manage to insult – sometimes destroy - their political opponents with humor.
Here are a few examples from Philly politics.
In the mayoral race in 1955 Democrat Richardson Dilworth used this humorous description of GOP opponent Thacher Longstreth: “A big good-natured human replica of a Saint Bernard puppy. The only drawback being he doesn’t have a keg of brandy hanging from his neck.”
During a debate between Frank Rizzo and GOP challenger Tom Foglietta, Rizzo declared: “If you had any sense, you could take a reading of this crowd here today and go home and slit your throat.”
Running for mayor for the first time in 1947 Democrat Richardson Dilworth had “kind words” for incumbent Mayor Bernard Samuels; “Barney Samuels is a nice little guy, I don’t mean he wouldn’t cut your balls off, but he was always a nice little guy.”
Philadelphia’s all-time champion rascal, T. Milton Street, attacked incumbent Mayor Michael Nutter: “What I want you guys (press) to do when you get home is stop at an electric store and get you a one-watt light bulb. And go into a room and plug it in. Turn out all the lights, and you’re going to see how bright (Nutter) is.”