In case it wasn't obvious enough that Hall was implying that the mayor is having an affair, she said "the dinner was not listed on the mayor's itinerary," neglecting to add that nonpublic dinners are NEVER on it. And, Hall added, "his security detail sat at another table," which may also be standard procedure. The most revolting line was "A political source close to Nutter says that the mayor has also been seen late night at the Ritz Carlton Hotel with, again, an attractive blonde."
So here's the thing: I know Heather. (She's Heather Steinmiller.)
I met her during the mayor's 2007 campaign - she was an early member of his kitchen Cabinet. They met when Nutter was head of the Convention Center and Steinmiller was a legal counsel for the center. She became one of those indispensable people on a campaign - not paid, but in the inner circle, co-chairing his policy committee and organizing the support of young professionals.
Since his election, she's continued to advise the mayor informally, helping candidates he's endorsed, serving as his appointee on the board of the Convention Center, and helping the mayor get 175,000 books donated for various summer-reading programs in the region.
She had mixed feelings about me writing this because she never wanted to be in the spotlight. She hasn't wanted people to call asking for help getting meetings or contracts with the city.
I hated myself for having to ask, but when I spoke to Heather after watching Hall's video, I felt obliged, as a principal at The Campaign Group, which is paid by the mayor's campaign to provide advice, to inquire: "Has anything remotely inappropriate happened between you and the mayor?" Showing admirable grace, she quipped, "No, nothing. To be honest, I'm into guys with hair."
