Back Channels: GOP candidates who could shake up Phila.

Two potential futures for the Philadelphia Republican Party were on display during debates for mayor and at-large Council candidates Wednesday night.

Future No. 1 is the status quo. Remain a party content with electrifying 12.5 percent of the voters in mayoral races, election after election after election. Find placeholders to take up space on the ballot, not viable, legitimate candidates whom voters can enthusiastically support. Put more energy into internal party squabbles than challenging Democrats and their policies. Never, ever offer an alternative vision on crime, education, taxes, or economic development, for fear of upsetting the mighty Democratic machine.

That future was reinforced in the mayoral debate Wednesday at the German Society of Pennsylvania. One candidate, former Democrat Karen Brown, was a no-show. Organizers said she had promised to attend but had a last-minute scheduling conflict. Given that the debate was sponsored by the Loyal Opposition, the GOP radicals who believe that political parties should try to win elections, it's not surprising that the party's candidate wouldn't show for the upstarts' event.

So that left moderator Larry Mendte chatting with John Featherman, a Loyal Opposition member who joined the race last year to ensure that the party's candidate didn't have a free ride in the primary. Just as he hopes to challenge Mayor Nutter in the general election.

Featherman is one of the nicest people you'll meet. He has a passion for the city and believes strongly that it can be better. He knows that a real two-party system is crucial to that transformation, and is adamant that the current GOP leadership is holding the party and the city back from much-needed changes.

None of that, however, means he's ready to run Philadelphia. So, ironically, the one guy with guts enough to stand up to his party and insist on a real candidate for mayor reinforces the notion that the city GOP is rife with people who run for offices they are not qualified to hold. This year, in the May 17 mayoral primary, Republicans offer two such candidates. (The Democrats have one.)

Even more ironic, many Philadelphians probably agree with Featherman on the issues. There is too much crime. Residents are overtaxed, and Mayor Nutter has increased that burden. Philadelphia isn't friendly to businesses. Pension and health-care reform are needed. A mayor should use the bully pulpit to condemn officials who abuse the public trust.