I support Vincent Gray for DC Mayor because...

[Anonymous]

Well, Dorrie, I really have to say that you come off as a remarkably informed woman, who is extremely thoughtful and articulate. I have no doubt that you will reach your voting decision in a very conscientious way. I take my hat off to you.

[Anonymous]

Dorrie-

FWIW, that is what I talked about when I mentioned Fenty's short-term vision. Him (and by extension Rhee, when talking about ed) got a TON of ground work done on reform... but are they prepared to go forward and make the next steps that will continue such work? I'm not so sure. That's not to say that Gray is necessarily better, but I think it's the biggest question about Fenty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dorrie-

FWIW, that is what I talked about when I mentioned Fenty's short-term vision. Him (and by extension Rhee, when talking about ed) got a TON of ground work done on reform... but are they prepared to go forward and make the next steps that will continue such work? I'm not so sure. That's not to say that Gray is necessarily better, but I think it's the biggest question about Fenty.

Goose, I'm not sure I see why you would doubt whether a team that is already in place, working at a fast pace and gunning to keep moving on would not be prepared to take the next steps. But nevermind. Dorrie came here asking for a reason to vote for Gray other than the fact that Gray is not Fenty. Your reply is about a weakness you perceive with respect to Fenty; not a strength you can point to with respect to Gray. Is Gray prepared to provide our children with top-notch educations? It doesn't appear that way. He's got a 12-page plan filled with lofty goals. Which he has no idea how to pay for, nor any means by which to implement his feel-good plan.

Talk to Dorrie about Gray rather than Fenty. That's what she asked for. And you called her a troll.

I think I can now count two women to whom you owe some kind of retraction. But will they get it? Doubt it.

[Anonymous]

Dorrie spoke about issues she had with Rhee which I think are somewhat a function of Fenty's approach to reform. I agreed with that. I suppose that was wrong of me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dorrie spoke about issues she had with Rhee which I think are somewhat a function of Fenty's approach to reform. I agreed with that. I suppose that was wrong of me?

Goose, Dorrie's stated purpose in coming here was to be convinced to vote for Gray rather than Fenty, and for reasons other than the mere and obvious fact that Gray is not Fenty. Now, I am in anabashed Fenty supporter; you are gah-gah for Gray. I asked Dorrie what she didn't like about Fenty's approach to education, and the thoroughness of her response blew my mind and almost made me change my mind. Then you came in and said, " FWIW, I don't think Fenty can get it done, either."

Given how extremely well-informed Dorrie has demonstrated herself to be, I don't think this comment was worth much. Especially since you're such a strong advocate for Gray, I think you should be more responsive to Dorrie. Tell her why and how Gray's education plan should help to win her vote. Be as specific about the merits of Gray's education plan as you are about the existence of White Privilege, and I'm sure you'll be part of the way towards scoring one for the team. And that much closer to achieving social justice for all.

[Anonymous]

Dorrie wrote:No-one needs to apologize to me. (However, I'm a bit alarmed to discover that there may only be three of us participating in this discussion.)

If you've got 3 people interested, you're actually doing very well.

[Anonymous]

Because someone in the Fenty administration tried to donate an old firetruck to some 3rd world city somewhere; that and the fact that he let one of his cronies borrow his car one time.

Drip, drip, drip. The stench of corruption is everywhere...

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/06/24/why-i-can’t-support-fenty-for-a-2nd-term/

[Anonymous]

New poster here. Dorrie, I think you have some very good points. I myself am also concerned that Ward 5 schools have been turned into PS/PK - 8 schools with (as far as I can tell) very little discussion about how those schools can serve their middle school populations. Admittedly the Ward 5 middle school was failing, but I can't see that the current model is doing any better (there is not enough science or foreign language for example to prepare them for competitive entrance high schools).

That said, I am unsure whether Gray would be any better.

[Anonymous]

Thought the most interesting thing about that Washington Blade was the near universal support for Fenty in the comments (e.g.):

Not a single word about the alternative, Gray. This is exactly on par with what I’ve experienced in meetings with Gray’s campaign staff. They have a laundry list of reasons why they don’t like Fenty but can’t give a single clear statement of what Gray will do differently, much less a positive reason to vote for him.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. Dorrie, I think you have some very good points. I myself am also concerned that Ward 5 schools have been turned into PS/PK - 8 schools with (as far as I can tell) very little discussion about how those schools can serve their middle school populations.

Can't say whether this is a good or a bad thing, but the reasoning behind PS/PK -> 8 is that many, many DCPS parents are quite happy with their elementary school, but terrified of the middle-school gap. Therefore, many PTAs have been asking to extend the elementary school through 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thought the most interesting thing about that Washington Blade was the near universal support for Fenty in the comments (e.g.):

Not a single word about the alternative, Gray. This is exactly on par with what I’ve experienced in meetings with Gray’s campaign staff. They have a laundry list of reasons why they don’t like Fenty but can’t give a single clear statement of what Gray will do differently, much less a positive reason to vote for him.

That isn't particularly relevant though. The article was not an endorsement of Gray. It was a commentary on Fenty. The writer may or may not choose to endorse Gray, but feels he cannot endorse Fenty. The final line: "After being involved in politics for too many years to mention I have come to accept that there are no perfect candidates. But I do believe that there is someone who will be better able to lead us through the next four years."

So it is his feeling and hope that a better candidate will emerge. Maybe it will be Gray, maybe someone else. But it's a bit strange to expect an article critiquing Fenty to be full of references to Gray. And if the only defense to criticism of Fenty is to say, "Well, what is GRAY going to do about it?" then there isn't much of a defense to be made.

If the writer wrote an article endorsing Gray and gave no concrete reasons to support him, then that person's comment would be relevant. If he wrote an article saying why he would choose Gray over Fenty, it'd make sense. But to expect an article specifically about Fenty to be about Gray is just to fail basic reading comprehension.

[Anonymous]

if the only defense to criticism of Fenty is to say, "Well, what is GRAY going to do about it?" then there isn't much of a defense to be made.

No, you've got this exactly backwards. The claim of most people who support Fenty is that he's "good enough" unless someone else appears who is manifestly superior. A defense of Fenty is a defense of the *exact* policies that are currently in place.

Therefore an article whose entire premise is that "I can't support Fenty" needs an alternative--at least if it's going to be given any consideration among thinking adults.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

New poster here. Dorrie, I think you have some very good points. I myself am also concerned that Ward 5 schools have been turned into PS/PK - 8 schools with (as far as I can tell) very little discussion about how those schools can serve their middle school populations.

Can't say whether this is a good or a bad thing, but the reasoning behind PS/PK -> 8 is that many, many DCPS parents are quite happy with their elementary school, but terrified of the middle-school gap. Therefore, many PTAs have been asking to extend the elementary school through 8th grade.

Yes, I know what the rationale is. I just don't see it working in Ward 5. I know very few neighbors who are sending their kids to our Ward 5 schools anyway. It all seems to be OOB, charter, or private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

if the only defense to criticism of Fenty is to say, "Well, what is GRAY going to do about it?" then there isn't much of a defense to be made.

No, you've got this exactly backwards. The claim of most people who support Fenty is that he's "good enough" unless someone else appears who is manifestly superior. A defense of Fenty is a defense of the *exact* policies that are currently in place.

Therefore an article whose entire premise is that "I can't support Fenty" needs an alternative--at least if it's going to be given any consideration among thinking adults.

No it doesn't. Long term, yes, this writer would be best served to offer an alternative. But this was one article, discussing one topic: the writer's inability to support Fenty. Given how early we are in the election season and how candidates are still emerging. The conversation has almost solely focused on the Democratic primary, which makes sense given that DC is unlikely to elect a Republican. But we are still learning who the candidates are and what they are all about. We KNOW Fenty is a major candidate and we know, largely, what he is all about because we've seen him in office as the mayor. This writer feels, based on that, he can't support him and is waiting/hoping that a better candidate emerges because he does not feel Fenty is adequate. Maybe that will happen, maybe not. Sometimes we end up choosing among a slew of unqualified, inadequate candidates and have to choose the best of the bunch. That may not be the case here, and I'm sure many do consider Fenty to be more than adequate, but that writer didn't. And to discredit his article out of hand, an article written about his problems with Fenty, because it doesn't directly endorse Gray, is just nonsense.