Washington Post Endorses Republican For Ward 3 Councilmember

[Anonymous]

From article:

Ward 3 sees a similar match between a Democratic incumbent, Mary M. Cheh, and a promising Republican, Dave Hedgepeth, but here we believe the newcomer is the wiser choice. Ms. Cheh has done some good work in her first term on the council, most notably on the environment and in her efforts to make the government more open to public view. But she's been heedless in pushing legislation (such as lengthening the school day) that, no matter how well intentioned, is impractical, given the city's finances. She insisted on overly ambitious election reform and, when the inevitable problems arose, blamed the people who had urged a more cautious approach. On the single most important issue facing the city, school reform, Ms. Cheh failed to provide the principled leadership her constituents should expect.
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Ms. Cheh argues that school reform has been central to her work on the council. She did, along with a majority of the council, vote for mayoral control and confirm Michelle A. Rhee as chancellor. She stood by the chancellor's decision to shutter schools, an easier stance for her than for others since Ward 3 was spared any closings. But as the decisions became increasingly difficult, and when Ms. Rhee most needed support, Ms. Cheh was nowhere to be found, instead joining the choirs of criticism and micromanagement over teacher layoffs and the transfer of a middle school principal. Her graceless criticism of Ms. Rhee when the chancellor tendered her resignation was emblematic.

In short, Ward 3 can do better, and Mr. Hedgepeth offers a grounded approach to the complex issues facing the District. He has expressed strong support for school reform, crossing party lines to endorse Mayor Adrian M. Fenty in an effort to keep Ms. Rhee. He is most impressive when it comes to the fiscal issues the District faces, rightly arguing that the city cannot tax itself out of its hole but needs to reassess exactly what it is providing residents for the estimated $21,000 in taxes per household. He also would relieve burdens that discourage the growth of new business.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/21/AR2010102105987.html

[Anonymous]

This is so shocking. The Post's actual, maybe only real reason for not backing Cheh is that she wouldn't blindly, dumbly cheer for Rhee (like the Post has done from Day 1).

I just cannot believe the Post editorial board would think this ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I just cannot believe the Post editorial board would think this ....

Yes, because after backing the Iraq war, torture, assassination of US citizens, etc. you'd figure even a blind squirrel has to find a nut once in a while, right?

[jsteele]

The Post has not endorsed anyone who supported Gray. Notice that the same editorial endorses a Republican in Ward 5 and fails to endorse Mendelson. The Post still hasn't gotten over its Fenty-love. It's going to be a long 4 years if this is the way things will go.

[Anonymous]

I finally canceled my subscription after they ran that Dinesh Disouza garbage and never felt better about the Post.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate that the Post recognizes the same traits in Cheh that make me and others in Ward 3 dislike her. Her legislation has ranged from impractical (extending school days -- as the Post points out, this is never going to happen when there is a budget shortfall) to downright zany (reuniting critter families). She lost my vote when she had the nerve to look us in the eye and say she wanted Rhee to stay but was supporting Gray, and we should believe the two outcomes could be compatible. She likes to take credit for the wonderful new public projects in Ward 3 (Wilson Aquatic Center, playground and park renovations), but blames Fenty entirely for the budget gaps. Enough, I am ready for a change.

[Anonymous]

I actually listened to the debate between Cheh and Hedgepeth on the Kojo Nbamdi show. Honestly, the ONLY thing he was upset about was that Cheh supported Gray. He had no platform, no ideas, nothing. Has anyone ever thought about why Cheh supported Gray? She is in a seat of power and has to work with both all the time. She thought that Gray was better. What does Hedgepeth care about school reform, his kids attend private school. Don't go off on DCPS either because we all know there are really good schools west of the park.

I encourage everyone to listen to the debate. He didn't stand for anything.

[Anonymous]

Wrong, PP. Dave Hedgepeth's kid go to Murch (with my kid). Mary Cheh's kids went to Georgetown Day.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Wrong, PP. Dave Hedgepeth's kid go to Murch (with my kid). Mary Cheh's kids went to Georgetown Day.

Cheh's also must have gone to Murch because on the Kojo show Hedgepeth made a point of saying his kids went to the same school that Cheh's kids did and that he shops at the same market as Cheh. I was joking that he is trying to be exactly like Cheh except for his mayoral endorsement. Most candidates say, "I'm not like the other candidate". Hedgepeth is saying, "With one exception, I'm exactly the same and even shop at the same market".

[Anonymous]

This is shocking indeed. What do the polls say for Cheh?

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:The Post has not endorsed anyone who supported Gray. Notice that the same editorial endorses a Republican in Ward 5 and fails to endorse Mendelson. The Post still hasn't gotten over its Fenty-love. It's going to be a long 4 years if this is the way things will go.

I don't have a strong opinion on Cheh, but I live in Ward 5 (Brookland) and can see why the Post wouldn't endorse Harry Thomas Jr. I voted for one of his opponents in the primary and, though I'm a Democrat, I'm still looking for an alternative. I know Kathy Henderson from her participation in various neighborhood listserves and I'm not impressed. So that leaves Tim Day, whom the Post endorsed:

Ward 5 is a three-way contest between incumbent Harry Thomas Jr. (D), Republican Tim Day and independent Kathy Henderson. Elected largely on the strength of his family name, Mr. Thomas has stood in the way of school reform, catered unduly to the unions and made a mockery of council oversight. Recent revelations about his involvement with a shadowy nonprofit should only add to the unease of voters in Ward 5. They might also take note that, even as he seeks their votes, he is contemplating a run for an at-large seat in the special election that would be held if, as expected, Mr. Brown is elected council chairman. On the other hand, Mr. Day, an accountant with a record of community service, impresses us with his devotion to the ward and his pragmatic ideas about how to solve some of its more persistent problems. He is particularly interested in issues confronting children who are economically disadvantaged.

Again, I'm not impressed with Thomas. He's riding on his father's reputation and the revelations over Team Thomas are troubling. Day seems to be a reasonable alternative. A sensible decision by the Post in this case.

[Anonymous]

Double posting. I do think it's odd that they didn't endorse Mendelson -- a good guy. Will be getting my vote.

In the race for two at-large seats, choice is limited, with incumbents Phil Mendelson (D) and David I. Catania (I) seeking reelection against token opposition from Statehood Green candidate David Schwartzman and Richard Urban, an independent. Mr. Catania gets our enthusiastic endorsement. One of the longest-serving members of the council, Mr. Catania is hardworking, detail-oriented and independent-minded. His oversight of city health issues has helped to give the city one of the lowest rates of uninsured people in the country, and he was a crucial ally for school reform.

They don't say anything against Mendelson, just fail to endorse him -- when you can vote for two in this race! A misstep, in my view.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
Again, I'm not impressed with Thomas. He's riding on his father's reputation and the revelations over Team Thomas are troubling. Day seems to be a reasonable alternative. A sensible decision by the Post in this case.

I don't live in Ward 5 and wouldn't presume to tell you for whom to vote. However, if I did live in Ward 5, I would vote for Thomas based on his vote for same-sex marriage which is probably one of the most courageous votes I've ever seen a politician make.

[Anonymous]

Re 14:29 and 14:37:

The Post's comment that Schwartzman and Urban are token opposition makes their non-endorsement of Mendelson purely symbolic. And given how I feel about Mendelson and the Post, it sure does not make me less likely to vote for Phil. If not for DW's desire to have a newspaper in front of her in the am, I'd dump our subscription.

As to Thomas, I'm with Jeff that his courage on gay marriage would be enough to get my vote if I lived a stop or two down the Red Line.

[Anonymous]

There are some basic questions that Hedgepath needs to answer about himself. For example:

-Please provide a complete employment history;
-Why was there such a large time gap between competing law school and joining the bar?
-Prior to this election cycle, did you ever attend an ANC or Community Association meeting?
-Please name 3 community groups or non-profits which which you have been active prior to this election cycle.
-Please share your voting record, or in the alternative, have you voted in 25% 50% 75% or 100% of the elections in the District for which you have been a registered voter.
-Please provide a statement summarizing your employment and volunteer credentials which shape your competency for this position.
-What problems in the District need fixing and what would you do to fix them (that isn't already being done);
-Your website indicates that the Police and Fire Departments need tools to improve. What tools?

These are basic questions for which the community has no answer. Hedepath does not have a complete employment history, has not demonstrated any community or professional qualifications to demonstrate he is competent to serve in this position.

Until he provides this basic information, he is not worthy of support for even an ANC race. This is a complete and total joke, and the Washington Post should really be ashamed of itself for making such a mockery of the process.