Philly Mayor Would Quit Obama Church

"I think there's no room for hate, and I could not sit and tolerate that kind of language, and especially over a very long period of time," said Philadelphia's newly elected mayor, Michael Nutter, in an interview with ABC News' David Muir.

"If I were in my own church and heard my pastor saying some of those kinds of things," he added, "we'd have a conversation about what's going on here, what is this all about, and then I would have to make my own personal decision about whether or not to be associated or affiliated."

Asked by Muir if he would he have quit Obama's church, Nutter said, "Absolutely."

The mayor of Philadelphia, the city in which the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed, the mayor of the heart of our nation completely agrees with Hillary: "You don't choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend." To Nutter, Obama offered an inadequate defense for his reason not to disown Wright. The "angry black" defense might play well in Peoria but it isn't playing very well in Philadelphia.

"I think there is a big difference between expressing the pain and anger that many African Americans and other people of color may feel versus language that I think now crosses the line and goes into hate."

In supporting Hillary, Nutter has imperiled his political future. He is hearing from a lot of Obama supporters that thought he would endorse Obama because they have so much in common. Some people even refer to him as Philadelphia's Barack Obama. But taking stands for things he believes in requires the courage of a real leader and that is exactly who Michael Nutter is.

The mayor acknowledges that some voters have approached him and asked, in his words, "Why not support a brother?"

"Somehow, someway, for some people there's an automatic assumption that a mayor who is African-American or some other elected official has to support another African-American," Nutter said.

"I thought that when Dr. King said that he wanted people to be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, I thought that's what he was talking about," Nutter added.

To Nutter the "making history" argument falls on deaf ears to. Because this election, while historic, is a lot more important for a number of reasons. And competency to lead our country out of its morass is a much higher priority.

"Certainly the opportunity to demonstrate to my 13-year-old daughter that there is a bright future for her, that a woman could get elected president of the United States, is equally compelling," he said.

"I think that we are at this historical moment," Nutter said. "Either candidate will clearly make history. But you only get to vote for one. The most important thing is winning in November, putting a Democrat in the White House."

He added, "I'm a great fan of history. I don't know that when people are struggling to pay the bills, that they ultimately conclude that, 'Well, if we can just make history with this vote, then all of my problems will be solved.' It still, for me, always comes back to performance [and] track record."

Exactly. That is why Hillary is the clear choice above all others. Competency. Vision and a long record of Achievement.

And as to Hillary's decision to press on with the campaign and to speak up for the disenfranchised voters of Michigan and Florida, Nutter grasps it's full significance.

"Think about who we are in the Democratic Party and the country we are in," Nutter said. "That we would somehow leave out any of our citizens in this process, I think, would be an absolute disgrace. We need to be a bit smarter about it."

And even though he knows that his decision to back Hillary isn't the most popular thing he could do, he believes strongly that giving and keeping one's word is important, whether someone is up or down.

Nutter endorsed Clinton back in December, when she was the clear front-runner. Now she is struggling. But Nutter is having no second thoughts.

When asked if he would endorse Clinton again, Nutter said, "Absolutely. Same endorsement. Never a hesitation."

I am going to go out on a limb and predict that this man has a bright political future ahead of him. We need more leaders that understand what is really important and know how to make the right choices in difficult times. Michael Nutter, you are a fine American.  Philadelphia is fortunate to have you. And so is Hillary.