Kwame Brown's Bitchin Ride

[jsteele]

Ok, I admit it. I voted for Kwame Brown. In my defense, I wasn't presented with very good choices. In voting for the lesser evil, my gravest concern was Brown's history of mismanaging his personal finances. But, I told myself that the campaign attention given to that issue would result in Brown trying to be more Catholic then the Pop. Brown had to know that his handling of finances would be under a microscope. However, it turns out Brown is just not too smart.

As Mike Debonis reveals in today's Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021904613.html?

Brown has put the city on the hook for not one, but two Lincoln Navigators. The trucks are costing over $3,600 a month. The first one was leased, but then rejected by Brown because it had a gray interior. Brown demanded a fully-loaded "L" version of the Navigator, with special requirements for a rear entertainment system, GPS, and aluminum wheels. So, now when Kwame is transported to Council hearings about budget cuts, he can ride is style.

The Washington City Paper's Alan Suderman has also been all over this issue:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/looselips/2011/02/20/kwame-brown-the-prevaricator-in-the-navigator/

[Anonymous]

Jeff, this is just one story of probably thousands in terms of DC government corruption. This is exactly why I have a serious problem with an increase in taxes. The DC government needs to get its own house in order before a tax increase is imposed on district citizens. This is also a great example of why many outside the district think that the district is incapable of governing itself. I tend to agree. I didn't vote for this clown and frankly, I don't know how anyone could have voted for this guy knowing his personal financial situation back when he campaigned for office. What an embarrassment.

[Anonymous]

How about Gray hiking the salaries of his staff?

[Anonymous]

Both stories today turn my stomach.... It's reminds me of the former DC school board officials who "forgot" to return their work computers to the District. It is embarrassing and disturbing.

Thanks for posting.

[Anonymous]

Jeff, you and I have argued about politics before. Until we stop this one party rule in this city we'll continue to have no accountability. Jack Evans as council chair would have been a far better choice than Kwame, but the demographics of DC havent evolved enough to allow that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, you and I have argued about politics before. Until we stop this one party rule in this city we'll continue to have no accountability. Jack Evans as council chair would have been a far better choice than Kwame, but the demographics of DC havent evolved enough to allow that.

If you want to get rid of one party rule, then Republicans have to have the gonads to move into the District. No one is going to hold their hand and beg them to come. Until then, those who are feeling sorry for themselves about the lack of Republicans should chill out.

[Anonymous]

17:47 again -- oh yeah and I had the same reaction as everyone else to the news about Brown. So glad I decided not to vote at all in that race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, you and I have argued about politics before. Until we stop this one party rule in this city we'll continue to have no accountability. Jack Evans as council chair would have been a far better choice than Kwame, but the demographics of DC havent evolved enough to allow that.

If you want to get rid of one party rule, then Republicans have to have the gonads to move into the District. No one is going to hold their hand and beg them to come. Until then, those who are feeling sorry for themselves about the lack of Republicans should chill out.

I know tons of R's in the District. They're just too scared to organize. This city is so entrenched in liberal politics that being a local Republican can mean career suicide when it comes to contracts etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, you and I have argued about politics before. Until we stop this one party rule in this city we'll continue to have no accountability. Jack Evans as council chair would have been a far better choice than Kwame, but the demographics of DC havent evolved enough to allow that.

If you want to get rid of one party rule, then Republicans have to have the gonads to move into the District. No one is going to hold their hand and beg them to come. Until then, those who are feeling sorry for themselves about the lack of Republicans should chill out.

I know tons of R's in the District. They're just too scared to organize. This city is so entrenched in liberal politics that being a local Republican can mean career suicide when it comes to contracts etc.

Voting is confidential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, you and I have argued about politics before. Until we stop this one party rule in this city we'll continue to have no accountability. Jack Evans as council chair would have been a far better choice than Kwame, but the demographics of DC havent evolved enough to allow that.

If you want to get rid of one party rule, then Republicans have to have the gonads to move into the District. No one is going to hold their hand and beg them to come. Until then, those who are feeling sorry for themselves about the lack of Republicans should chill out.

I know tons of R's in the District. They're just too scared to organize. This city is so entrenched in liberal politics that being a local Republican can mean career suicide when it comes to contracts etc.

Voting is confidential.

But organizing and fundraising isn't

[Anonymous]

Whatever is happening there locally may be a result of all the Chicago people being invited in. Chicago is at great risk of losing its reputation for hard core corruption as Obama continues to see that city as his only resource. A sad source for the talent that is needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever is happening there locally may be a result of all the Chicago people being invited in. Chicago is at great risk of losing its reputation for hard core corruption as Obama continues to see that city as his only resource. A sad source for the talent that is needed.

A lot of Illinois plates with DC R-3 stickers in Ward 3. They're worse than the Texans.

[Anonymous]

Why would an SUV cost 3600 a month? Does that include gas and a drivers? Or is that just emblamtic of the rampant waste in DC?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, you and I have argued about politics before. Until we stop this one party rule in this city we'll continue to have no accountability. Jack Evans as council chair would have been a far better choice than Kwame, but the demographics of DC havent evolved enough to allow that.

If you want to get rid of one party rule, then Republicans have to have the gonads to move into the District. No one is going to hold their hand and beg them to come. Until then, those who are feeling sorry for themselves about the lack of Republicans should chill out.

I'd like to see a return to strength of the Statehood Party. It should ditch the Green label and go back to its roots. If progressive Dems would move to the Statehood party and the Fenty/Evans Dems moved to the Republicans, Kwame and Gray and their $2 grand a month Navigators could make up the Democratic Party. Then, we might have better checks and balances.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Why would an SUV cost 3600 a month? Does that include gas and a drivers? Or is that just emblamtic of the rampant waste in DC?

A SUV doesn't cost that much. Kwame, however, has two. One that he doesn't drive because of its gray interior (the jokes about Brown not liking Gray should write themselves).