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Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of questions The Next Mayor is asking and answering of the current candidates' campaigns. Monday: Lynne Abraham's campaign. Tuesday: Nelson Diaz's campaign. Wednesday: Doug Oliver's campaign. Thursday: Anthony Hardy Williams' campaign.

Question 5: Can Jim Kenney win the support of Philadelphia's liberals?

The candidate and his aides say he can and will. And getting a big slice of the liberal vote would give him a big boost in his numbers, along with his expected strong support among South Philadelphia Democrats.

It's South Philly that has served as his base since he first ran for Council-at-Large.

In this city, the word "liberals" is really shorthand for white voters, most of whom live in Center City and environs you could also include as annexes: University City's 27th Ward and the Ninth Ward in Chestnut Hill.

That's not to say that all of the city's liberals who are white live in these wards, but this is where they are concentrated -- these seven wards have about 67,000 active Democratic voters.

Right now, these wards don't have a favored candidate, and Kenney can make a decent claim that he will emerge as their choice, simply by process of elimination.

The question is: Which Jim Kenney?

Is it Kenney the progressive, who has championed gay rights and the cause of immigrants?

Read more from the original source:
Ferrick Asks: Will Philadelphia liberals come around for James Kenney?