In his weekly blog, host of "Live @ Issue" Steve Highsmith has the latest on what's going on in Philadelphia politics -- in front of the camera and behind it.

Inside the campaigns of the candidates for mayor there is a lot of talk and uncertainty about what, if anything, to do about Rep. Bob Brady's error of omission in his financial statements filed with his nominating petitions this past week. He left out his city pension. Everybody knew about his pension. He's listed it on other financial statements, but for some reason it was left out of the nominating petition filing. To many Philadelphians this oversight is a "so what?" Let common sense rule here. But the problem is that in recent years, at least two other candidates, one for city council and one for city controller, were removed from the ballot because of what appeared to some to have been similar errors.

The Brady camp tells me this is just a glitch on the radar. They have filed an amended form correcting the omission. And, perhaps significantly, they did so before a formal challenge was filed. Brady asked noted attorney Steve Cozen to look at the case and I am told Cozen says this case is different from the others above. Brady supporters say challenging his candidacy in court would be a waste of time and would be an affront to the 24,000 people who signed his petitions to get him on the ballot.

But, sources inside other campaigns say they are trying to figure out the proper response to the Brady mess. They know the political danger. Even if they were to win, they could very well lose. Bob Brady would still be chair of the party. Yes, a Milton Street challenge or challenge from another citizen not connected to a campaign could provide them with cover, but hiding from the chair of the party and potential independent candidate is not likely. After all, to paraphrase the President, on this ballot issue, you're either with him or against him. Philadelphians also tend to rally around high profile figures who appear to have been abused by the system. Still, Brady knows this "stupid" mistake could be a pain for the carpenter. For the want of a nail...

Some of the campaigns would have you believe that Michael Nutter has little support. Nutter has, to date, provided enough evidence that they are underestimating him. To be clear, I am not predicting or projecting, but I have spoken to ward leaders and other community leaders this week, not in his home turf, who say they will support him. Whether that's a critical mass of support, I don't know, but it is beyond the "suburban support" his critics say is driving his candidacy. And remember, he's got some money and barely spent any of it.

Liberty City, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political group in Philadelphia, had a candidates' forum at the William Way center last night. Every mayoral candidate who participated promised to work for fairness and equity for the LGBT community. Dwight Evans talked about the fear in the community. Michael Nutter talked of the decline in federal funding for HIV/AIDS support activities. Chaka Fattah said he would have an openly gay member in his administration. And Bob Brady said he feels at home at the center. "I feel at home. I donated all the carpenter's work in this building." Also, a nice moment: Brady and Fattah hugged.

By the way, I will be asking about the gay and lesbian vote in the race for mayor this Sunday on NBC10's "Live at Issue." Tune in at 11:30 a.m.

Big endorsement this past week for Dwight Evans: The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. But what do endorsements mean? An exclusive NBC10 Survey USA poll asked voters if endorsements make a difference and seven in 10 voters said it makes no difference or a minor difference. In reality, some endorsements do. John Dougherty's Local 98 endorsement, wherever it goes, could provide the dollars and street force to get out thousands of additional votes. A person close to Doc told me he's enjoying his independent status right now and taking calls from the candidates.

A close supporter of Chaka Fattah responded this way when I asked about Bob Brady's endorsements, such as the Building Trades Council, the F.O.P. and the Democratic City Committee. Of the committee endorsement, the person said, "Bob Brady should have gotten the committee's endorsement. He's worked hard for the party. Meanwhile, Chaka Fattah has worked hard for the people."