In Depth:

The National Perspective
Former President Bill Clinton is expected in town today to support Philadelphia Mayor John Street's bid for re-election, while Republican players have been notably absent from challenger Sam Katz's campaign. Often in the shadows of New York and Washington, DC, Philadelphia's 2003 election has electrified politicians, pundits, and press around the country as WHYY's Rachel Buchman reports. [Listen] (originally aired 10/31/03)

Philadelphia's Education
Today should be the second payment from the state of Pennsylvania to the commonwealth's public schools -- but the state has yet to pass an education budget ... The governor remains locked in a battle with the legislature over more funding for schools. Both of the candidates in the Philadelphia mayoral race tout their ability to get the city's voice heard in Harrisburg. WHYY's Aries Keck reports on how education issues affect the race. [Listen] (originally aired 10/30/03)

Hip-Hop Vote
During every election cycle, politicans look for new ways to connect with voters. Last night, the campaign of Philadelphia Mayor John Street hosted a youth rally featuring Dem Boyz, a local rap group. Candidates around the country have used hip-hop music in their campaigns for years. But while hip-hop may be the universal language of pop culture, some say it has yet to blossom as a force in electoral politics. WHYY's Joel Rose reports. [Listen] (originally aired 10/30/03)

Ballot Questions
Pennsylvania voters will likely face two ballot questions on November fourth -- that seek to allow children to give court testimony on videotape or through closed-circuit television. This is the second time voters are being asked the question -- and thirty-five other states have similar laws. WHYY's Aries Keck reports. [Listen] (originally aired 10/29/03)

Judicial Election
On November 4th, Pennsylvania voters will elect judges to municipal and state benches. Though the practice is not unique to Pennsylvania, most states do not elect judges, especially at the lower levels. Michael Ricardi follows the election for the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, where he is the managing editor. Though he says the judges' races are not the most visible, Ricardi told WHYY's Rachel Buchman they do have an impact. [Listen] (originally aired 10/23/03)

Race
Philadelphia is a city that's almost evenly divided between African American and white citizens. Since the last election, the balance has shifted a bit, with more black voters living in the city. Recent polling shows that race is the number one factor determining how Philadelphians will vote in the upcoming election... WHYY's Brad Linder takes a look at the role of race in Philadelphia Politics. [Listen] (originally aired 10/22/03)

Debate
The candidates for mayor of Philadelphia met yesterday and let the sparks fly during the second of three debates. With less than three weeks to go until election day, the race for mayor of Philadelphia is taking on a frenzied pace. Dogged by continuing controversy surrounding a federal investigation involving the mayor's office, mayor John Street and Republican Challenger Sam Katz are trying -- often unsuccessfully -- to focus on the issue. Yesterday, the two candidates met on KYW Radio for a breakfast debate. [Listen] (originally aired 10/15/03)

Crime
With election day less than 4 weeks away, the latest poll shows Mayor John Street and Republican challenger Sam Katz running neck and neck. That same Keystone poll suggests that the number one issue on voters minds is crime -- an area where John Street feels he has the upper hand. But Katz has been working to chip away at the mayor's support among police officers and the community. WHYY's Brad Linder reports. [Listen] (originally aired 10/08/03)

Wage Tax
The 2003 Philadelphia Mayor's Race so far has been characterized more by scandal than substance. Street supporters are saying that Republicans this week sent out a racially divisive campaign flyer, and Sam Katz accuses John Street of bringing patronage jobs to City Hall. In all the mess, it's easy to overlook the candidate's stances on the issues.

With the election 5 weeks away, WHYY's Brad Linder takes a look at one of the key elements of the campaign -- Philadelphia's wage tax. [Listen] (originally aired 09/30/03)

Young Voters
The Student Voices National Project, aims to develop a new generation of voters in young Americans. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with project director Dr. Phylliss Kaniss [Listen] (originally aired 9/17/03)