Eleanor Holmes Norton

[jsteele]

What are everyone's feelings about Eleanor Holmes Norton? Do you think she's doing a good job? Do you plan to support her in the next election? I'm asking because Doug Sloan, a long time political activist in Ward 4, is planning to run against her in 2010. I got to know Sloan when he ran for the Ward 4 DC Council seat that Adrian Fenty vacated. He didn't fare well in that campaign, but has done much better in other races.

So, what do people think? Is Norton our Delegate for Life, or would you consider an alternative?

[Anonymous]

I don't know about delegate for life, but I have also heard that Adrian Fenty wants to sit in Eleanor's seat. I do think that Mr. Sloan would have a difficult, but not impossible, time replacing her at this time. Ms. Norton did not win any points when she sat down on probably our last opportunity to win a vote in the house.

[Anonymous]

I would be happy to replace her. I am not into Mayors for life, delegates for life etc.

[Anonymous]

I suspect that Holmes Norton will want to hold the seat for a term as a voting representative (a bit of a tacit prayer there), but might then retire. It seems to me to be a good strategy for Sloan to get name recognition by being on the ballot even if he does not have great likelihood of winning.

But if it's a good strategy for him, might it not be for others? Has anyone heard of such others who might have an interest?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect that Holmes Norton will want to hold the seat for a term as a voting representative (a bit of a tacit prayer there), but might then retire.

The way things are going, prayer may be the only hope of getting a vote. When I first heard of Sloan's plans, I thought Eleanor Holmes Norton was probably unbeatable. Then, I realized that her focus has always been on home rule issues rather than the more common constituent services provided by other representatives. I have twice asked her office for help. Once they provided reasonable assistance, but the second time they blew me off. I guess I could ignore that if she was doing great things for voting rights or statehood. But, she's not really achieving anything there either. So, maybe it is time to give someone else a chance?

[Anonymous]

Sure as long as it's not Fenty!

[Anonymous]

Norton should be given one more shot to secure voting rights and then retire by passing along her rolodex to someone who can represent DC on the national stage (and Colbert!) with dignity like she does. (Fenty seems to be too busy running around with scissors, ribbons and shovels at the moment. Like my kid.) IMHO last thing we need in the marathon for rights is for some congressman from a gun-happy-gay-hating state to say "Doug who?" before the ink is dry. For local services I use dc.gov, ANC, ward council member and MPD as needed.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:For local services I use dc.gov, ANC, ward council member and MPD as needed.

I do too if the problem is my trash not being picked up. When, the issue involves the IRS or Homeland Security, ANC Commissioners aren't much help. In my experience, Norton was marginally better, but only marginally.

[Anonymous]

I like Holmes Norton, and think that she'd be awfully tough to beat. She has a lot of face time with her constituents, seems to be approachable and is a bulldog on the home rule stuff. Honestly, I also think that it would be difficult for a white guy (not that I know your guy is white) to beat her, considering her base of support and the demographics of DC.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I like Holmes Norton, and think that she'd be awfully tough to beat. She has a lot of face time with her constituents, seems to be approachable and is a bulldog on the home rule stuff. Honestly, I also think that it would be difficult for a white guy (not that I know your guy is white) to beat her, considering her base of support and the demographics of DC.

For the record, Doug Sloan is black and a native Washingtonian.

[Anonymous]

See the news today? DC might actually get something things we ourselves voted on implemented. Thank you EHN! Yes, it's taking a while to get full rights. I trust her to keep plugging away. But that doesn't mean I would not vote for a different candidate. I like to exercise the few democratic (small d) rights I have when I can. Much to the chagrin of my ANC. (OT. Jeff, are you on the no fly list or something? Maybe there's a sock puppeteer checking your taxes. lol )

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, are you on the no fly list or something? Maybe there's a sock puppeteer checking your taxes. lol )

The tax issue was pre-DCUM. EHN's office was helpful in getting me in touch with someone at the IRS. Unfortunately, that person was just about the rudest individual I have ever encountered. She even refused to give her name which prevented me from formally complaining about her. So, that problem didn't get resolved to my satisfaction.

Homeland Security is responsible for much more than no fly lists. For instance, immigration is now their bailiwick. Being married to an immigrant and having relatives who would occasionally like to visit, I have the joy of frequent contact with the department. EHN's office was no help whatsoever in assisting with a recent problem. On the other hand, Senator Kerry's office resolved the issue in a matter of hours.

It's good that the Senate passed a budget with no riders. With a Democratic president, and majorities in both the House and Senate, there is really no excuse for not doing so. I'd prefer to hold my praise for accomplishments that are difficult.