Philly Mag Editor Vetoes Congressional Bid

Given that I live in a city that elected a bar owner as its mayor, you’d think that nothing about politics would surprise me anymore. Still, I couldn’t decide whether to be tickled or befuddled at the ongoing rumblings that Philadelphia magazine editor Larry Platt was contemplating a run for Congress. (Disclosure: I’ve been drunk with the guy. Several times.)

As recently as last week, Roll Call was making it seem like a done deal:

Philadelphia magazine editor Larry Platt is planning a bid against Rep. Jim Gerlach (R) and an announcement is forthcoming next month, according to a Pennsylvania Democratic operative with knowledge of the race.

“He’s certainly moving ahead and finishing his due diligence, but we certainly expect that he will be running,” the Democrat said. […]

Local Democrats are hopeful that Platt’s connections in the wealthy Philadelphia suburbs will be the ticket to defeating Gerlach in a district that voted for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.

Well, Philly Dems are going to have to make other plans. Platt has told his staff that he’s out:

After being a prospective candidate for two days at the Pennsylvania Society last weekend, I was so sick of my own voice, so tired of hearing me talk about me, that I realized this life change wasn’t for me.

When you’re a journalist, I realized, you’re interested in hearing and conveying other peoples’ stories. When you’re obsessed with your own story, you create your own little echo chamber inside your head. It’s not fun.

Cross-posted at FolioMag.com