Will Michael Nutter Replace Chaka Fattah in Congress?

Chaka Fattah is talking — but not about that. Everybody else is talking — about who might replace Fattah if the legal scandals in his inner circle should somehow force him out of Congress.

WHYY’s Dave Davies says Mayor Michael Nutter might be a natural replacement:

The other interesting possibility is Mayor Michael Nutter, who’ll be looking for work when his second term ends at the end of next year. He lives in the district. Would he do it?

On the one hand, becoming a legislator could be a major come-down after being chief executive of the nation’s fifth largest city. You go from giving orders to everybody around you to being one of the pack. You go from starting a buzz at every restaurant you enter to becoming pretty anonymous walking around Washington.

On the other hand, Nutter was a legislator 19 years on City Council. He got a lot done and had a lot of fun with it. I’d imagine those days are behind him, but I could be wrong.

The Inky’s Thomas Fitzgerald names a few more names:

Among the names under discussion are Mayor Nutter, District Attorney Seth Williams, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, City Council President Darrell L. Clarke, City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and William Green, chairman of the School Reform Commission and a former councilman.

Fattah did not respond to efforts seeking comment.

His spokeswoman, Ally Freeman, said in an e-mail: “Congressman Fattah is committed to his work on education, brain research, and jobs, all of which has helped and continues to help millions of Americans. He is committed to continue this work for the next ten years in Congress.”

Fattah is talking — sort of. He went on Solomon Jones’ new show on WURD Tuesday morning to … not talk about the scandals surrounding him. The Daily News‘ Chris Brennan reports:

U.S. REP. CHAKA FATTAH refused to say yesterday if he played a role in receiving and repaying an illegal $1 million 2007 campaign loan, which was disclosed last week when his longtime political consultant pleaded guilty to federal charges.

“The one thing is, I’m not a lawyer, I’m not going to engage in it,” Fattah said, responding to a question on WURD-900AM. “I’m not going to respond to an allegation that hasn’t been made.”

More to come.

Previously: Chaka Fattah Jr. Talks Gambling, His Congressman Dad, the IRS
Previously: Fattah in Hot Seat After Aide’s Guilty Plea
Previously: Former Aide to Chaka Fattah Admits Role in Diverting Campaign Funds