Catania is on fire

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm black, live in Ward 4, life long progressive democrat and voting for Catania. There are a lot of people like me. I might even put a Bowser sign outside for political reasons, but will DEFINITELY vote for Catania.

Why would you do that?

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else also find it weird that "team bowser" seems to be avoiding the anniversary of Brown? Is she not aware of it? Or is she avoiding education all together?

It appears that she is running a 5K.

Trying not to be snarky, seriously, but seriously?

Seriously:

https://twitter.com/MurielBowser/status/467670856563707904

MurielBowser
?@MurielBowser
Just wrapped up another awesome 5k! Thx @GOTRDC pic.twitter.com/CKhJnS5Efq

And nothing else from her today. At least that I saw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know - I am reading these posts and really wondering about the bubble effect. All of DCUM talking to each other, convincing ourselves Catania has a chance. I more skeptical, though in a head to head I'd vote him over Bowser.

I work on a volunteer board with a wide variety of people, including some vocal African American women who live in Ward 8. Catania makes them as nervous as Bowser - on the issue of education, Catania has a well known adversarial relationship with Kaya Henderson, who is very well liked in my bubble. After our board meeting last week, these voters talked single issue - education - and came out on the side of Bowser. Purely because of how Catania treats Henderson. And yes, I know Bowser has been mum on the issue of keeping Henderson - It didn't make any sense to me, I'll admit it, but I will just say that the "voice" of DCUM (while offering some diversity) is as much a bubble as any other, and until I see some real polling I'm not convinced Catania has a chance of even hitting 40%.

Why do they like Henderson? What has she done for Ward 8? Aren't the schools there barely performing?

[Anonymous]

Bowser won't debate, she won't take questions, she doesn't even show up for any media appearances where questions might come up.

Wow, is she a mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bowser won't debate, she won't take questions, she doesn't even show up for any media appearances where questions might come up.

Wow, is she a mess.

Why should she? If she is the democratic candidate, she'll win without having to do anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm black, live in Ward 4, life long progressive democrat and voting for Catania. There are a lot of people like me. I might even put a Bowser sign outside for political reasons, but will DEFINITELY vote for Catania.

Why would you do that?

Bowser will still be on the council if she loses. If you have business with the city government, it can be a career-limiting-move to alienate an incumbent.

[Anonymous]

Sigh. They're both terrible choices. As someone who has worked closely with the Council for more than a decade I can tell you that they have many of the same strengths and weaknesses. It's just a difference of degree. Bowser is smart, but not as smart as Catania. Bowser is not pleasant or personable, but Catania is not just brash, he's abusive and petty. Bowser is not progressive, but oh my. Catania is very very conservative when it comes to social or economic justice issues, with a few exceptions. I do like what he's saying about education and he will get things done. But he will reign like Fenty times a billion so you better hope you like everything he does because there will be no reaching him or changing his mind. He does not care about constituent input and he will threaten anyone who disagrees with him. In fact, I have seen him behave in ways that can only be described as indicative of severe mental illness. He it's a power hungry dictatorial council member. Imagine if he had the power of the mayor's office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh. They're both terrible choices. As someone who has worked closely with the Council for more than a decade I can tell you that they have many of the same strengths and weaknesses. It's just a difference of degree. Bowser is smart, but not as smart as Catania. Bowser is not pleasant or personable, but Catania is not just brash, he's abusive and petty. Bowser is not progressive, but oh my. Catania is very very conservative when it comes to social or economic justice issues, with a few exceptions. I do like what he's saying about education and he will get things done. But he will reign like Fenty times a billion so you better hope you like everything he does because there will be no reaching him or changing his mind. He does not care about constituent input and he will threaten anyone who disagrees with him. In fact, I have seen him behave in ways that can only be described as indicative of severe mental illness. He it's a power hungry dictatorial council member. Imagine if he had the power of the mayor's office.

Sadly, I believe every word you wrote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh. They're both terrible choices. As someone who has worked closely with the Council for more than a decade I can tell you that they have many of the same strengths and weaknesses. It's just a difference of degree. Bowser is smart, but not as smart as Catania. Bowser is not pleasant or personable, but Catania is not just brash, he's abusive and petty. Bowser is not progressive, but oh my. Catania is very very conservative when it comes to social or economic justice issues, with a few exceptions. I do like what he's saying about education and he will get things done. But he will reign like Fenty times a billion so you better hope you like everything he does because there will be no reaching him or changing his mind. He does not care about constituent input and he will threaten anyone who disagrees with him. In fact, I have seen him behave in ways that can only be described as indicative of severe mental illness. He it's a power hungry dictatorial council member. Imagine if he had the power of the mayor's office.

I disagree with this. I have dealt with him on school matters and I believe he can be convinced to change his mind when an argument is valid, when data is presented, and when many people in the community weigh-in. He listens, and I believe he does his best to follow-through on commitments. I haven't dealt directly with Bowser but it just seems too early in her career for her to have a strong position on many issues.