Catania Throws Down Gauntlet

[Anonymous]

But the Democratic Party has significant GOTV resources, which since Bowser is the D nominee, will be used to help her out. The Powers That Be didn't care so much about helping folks in 7 & 8 get to the polls for the primary. When the consequence is a non-D mayor, lots of folks will care--a lot.

Remember Anita Bonds' at-large campaign last year? She was a weak candidate, but won basically by reminding folks at every turn that she is a Democrat, and her opponents weren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be realistic. Bowser would have to collapse for Catania to have a reasonable chance to win. I really like him and wish he was staying on the Council rather than choosing to lose in November.

Bowser's support is incredibly soft. Remember--she still got only 30% of votes in a Dem primary with incredibly low turnout. Not many people were excited to vote for her. Her own ward was relatively close, and Ward 3--where she racked up big support because of objections to Gray--is prime Catania territory. Turnout in 7 and 8 was terrible.

It's an uphill climb for Catania because he used to be a Republican. But he's been an at-large councilmember for more than 15 years, which means he has organization and recognition citywide. I bet a poll today would show the race within 15 points (rather than 30 before the primary)--and there's still more than six months to go.

+100!

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:But the Democratic Party has significant GOTV resources, which since Bowser is the D nominee, will be used to help her out. The Powers That Be didn't care so much about helping folks in 7 & 8 get to the polls for the primary. When the consequence is a non-D mayor, lots of folks will care--a lot.

Remember Anita Bonds' at-large campaign last year? She was a weak candidate, but won basically by reminding folks at every turn that she is a Democrat, and her opponents weren't.

Last year, Anita Bonds ran in a non-partisan special election. She ran against a very strong progressive Democrat who came in second and a Republican who came in third. The Republican performed as well as he did because he picked up many anti-Bonds Democrats who didn't think Silverman could win (and got something like 5 Washington Post endorsements during the campaign). I can almost guarantee that Bonds would not have won had not her opponents split the vote.

Bowser is facing a rebellion in Ward 3 because of her support for choice sets. I suspect that the Washington Post editorial board supports choice sets, so Bowser won't abandon them easily. Many Democrats will be willing to support Catania who is arguably the more progressive candidate in the race. Ironically, a Democratic Party-led GOTV effort might end getting Catania supporters to the polls.

Bowser has survived as far as she has by refusing to take positions on controversial issues. The student assignment process is going to force her to start taking a stand. That will be a constant source of landmines for her.

[Anonymous]

GOTV PP here. I sure hope you're right, Jeff, but I somewhat doubt it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:David Catania has been very active on Twitter today:

https://twitter.com/davidcataniadc/status/455365279150014464
I do not share CM Bowser's interest in "choice sets." Period. You can't support them AND want "predictability."

https://twitter.com/davidcataniadc/status/455367165399822336
Subjecting families to a lottery for their DCPS elem. school, by definition, removes "predictability."

https://twitter.com/davidcataniadc/status/455367768276496384
I support strengthening matter-of-right neighborhood schools. Adding additional resources for "at-risk" students is a start!

A savvy political approach: offer solutions that meet all constituent interests (keep neighborhood schools; devote more resources to at-risk students). He's got to get votes from all Wards in order to defeat Bowser, so he needs to add promises to Ward 7 and 8, concerning how to strengthen school offerings, but it looks like a start. Good stuff.

He's already been talking up the idea of a test in middle school EotR http://greatergreatereducation.org/post/17932/does-dcps-need-application-only-schools-east-of-the-river/

[Anonymous]

Catania must have people reading this...hope his team never admits to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Catania must have people reading this...hope his team never admits to it.

HA!

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the Democratic Party has significant GOTV resources, which since Bowser is the D nominee, will be used to help her out. The Powers That Be didn't care so much about helping folks in 7 & 8 get to the polls for the primary. When the consequence is a non-D mayor, lots of folks will care--a lot.

Remember Anita Bonds' at-large campaign last year? She was a weak candidate, but won basically by reminding folks at every turn that she is a Democrat, and her opponents weren't.

Last year, Anita Bonds ran in a non-partisan special election. She ran against a very strong progressive Democrat who came in second and a Republican who came in third. The Republican performed as well as he did because he picked up many anti-Bonds Democrats who didn't think Silverman could win (and got something like 5 Washington Post endorsements during the campaign). I can almost guarantee that Bonds would not have won had not her opponents split the vote.

Bowser is facing a rebellion in Ward 3 because of her support for choice sets. I suspect that the Washington Post editorial board supports choice sets, so Bowser won't abandon them easily. Many Democrats will be willing to support Catania who is arguably the more progressive candidate in the race. Ironically, a Democratic Party-led GOTV effort might end getting Catania supporters to the polls.

Bowser has survived as far as she has by refusing to take positions on controversial issues. The student assignment process is going to force her to start taking a stand. That will be a constant source of landmines for her.

It's not just Ward 3 - You've got 1/2 the city feeding to wilson who's not going to love Bowser. Plus Capital Hill folks and 1/2 of wards 2 and 4.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who has kids in DC needs to recognize that Bowser is a disaster!

[Anonymous]

I love that Catania is forcing her hand. He's going to make her commit to a position or look weak in the waffle. Go Catania Go!

[Anonymous]

Definitely do not support Catania - lot of talk, little action. That said, I like that there will be an actual race, which will pin down Bowser. Wish the primary had actually been about substance rather than character.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do not support Catania - lot of talk, little action. That said, I like that there will be an actual race, which will pin down Bowser. Wish the primary had actually been about substance rather than character.

So, who do you prefer? Bowser? Try to explain your reasoning, please.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

[Anonymous]

I predict Bowser will be a one-term mayor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree with your conclusion but not your argument. I am well off Ward 4 resident, and I would be much more open to the schools plan if I thought there was actually some benefit to those in need. I am not pulling up a drawbridge - just trying to prevent a disaster. Show me a decent plan for the whole city and I will be behind it.