Orange and Biddle Supporters Make Race Part of the Special Election Campaign

[jsteele]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire

On Saturday, Vincent Orange and his campaign workers were handing out a flyer in Ward 8 that contained a special message to Ward 8 Residents. While one side of the flyer attacked Republicans and warned that Patrick Mara could possibly win the election, the back side contained a picture of Orange and a message saying he "walks like us. He talks like us. He has a record of working for us." When Orange was asked if it would be appropriate for white candidates to hand out something similar to white audiences, he started denying responsibility for the flyer (while continuing to hand them out).

Meanwhile, Dennis Jaffe -- Biddle's Deputy Campaign Manager -- described Bryan Weaver's campaign as "whitecentric" on Twitter. Weaver reacted by saying, "Intimidation, race-baiting, fear-mongering is just politics as usual in DC local politics ---- Believe in better" and told Jaffe to manage his own campaign rather than getting involved with Weaver's.

Jaffe's charge is a bit ironic given that the Washington City Paper endorsed Weaver in part because it felt that Weaver was the candidate most able to bridge the gap between the largely white newcomers to the city and the largely black residents that feel threatened by the demographic changes. Moreover, Biddle will need to rely heavily on white voters so it is unclear why he would want to make an issue of Weaver's support among white's. Indeed, Biddle has occasionally pointed out that is own wife is white in an attempt to appeal to voters.

Both Orange and Biddle appear to be using racial politics to appeal to black voters -- something that Marian Barry is often accused of doing. It is time to stop "politics as usual" in DC and vote for change. Weaver, Mara, or Lopez all present better choices for change. I'm supporting Weaver, but whomever you support, be sure to vote on April 26.

[Anonymous]

But Weaver's campaign has been "white centric". His supporters and support comes primarily from the urban twenty-something Fenty crowd. You know, the 'streetcar/bikelane/dog park' set.

Maybe it was impolitic for Jaffe to Tweet it, but it is certainly something many who are following this campaign have felt.

Methinks Jeff has a little agenda here in continuing to justify what has become known as the "DCUrbanMom" endorsement, which is really the opinion of one person.

No one seems to acknowledge this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But Weaver's campaign has been "white centric - even though he doesn't want it to be". His supporters and support comes primarily from the urban twenty-something Fenty crowd. You know, the 'streetcar/bikelane/dog park' set.

Maybe it was impolitic for Jaffe to Tweet it, but it is certainly something many who are following this campaign have felt. ITA again!

Methinks Jeff has a little agenda here in continuing to justify what has become known as the "DCUrbanMom" endorsement, which is really the opinion of one person.
No one seems to acknowledge this point. I do!

Jeff, by pushing so hard anti-Sekou, you're actually hurting Bryan's argument that he's a candidate for the whole city. We all know the demographics of DCUM is not exactly reflective of the acutal residents beyond Adams Morgan. But your endorsement, like that green guy, reinforces the impression that "white people in NW" support Bryan. The same thing happened with Fenty. Perception proved stronger than performance.

From what I know of Bryan, he is just about the last person on earth who would be a racist and probably has more poor black friends than Biddle. Unfortunately, by raising this topic you're bringing attention to one of the things that should be least relevant in Weaver's campaign.

Orange is a comple a__hole and part of the bad old days. But don't throw under the same tent just because of who he knows. I respect Jeff a lot and post often (as he knows), but your endorsement ifeels like way too much guilt by association and not enough understanding of what Biddle brings to education IMHO.

[Anonymous]

correction, don't throw Biddle under Orange tent

[jsteele]

First, anyone that thinks DCUM demographics reflect the demographics of Adams Morgan is woefully short of a clue. Second, the idea that since I am white, my support for Bryan Weaver proves that his campaign is white-centric is idiotic. The question is why a white guy like me supports Bryan? Do I support him because he will look after white people or some definition of white peoples' interests? No. Absolutely not. I support him first and foremost because of his commitment to accountability and transparency in government. Those are not white values. Second, I support him for his ability to work across racial lines. I really respect that he is a white guy who attended Howard University. I think someone that can bridge demographic divides is exactly what the city needs. Many of Weaver's earliest and strongest supporters are black. Yet, they are ignored by the Biddle crowd. Why?

The phrase "guilt by association" seems to be in vogue in this forum. As I said in another thread, it is not guilt by association but simple political indebtedness that bothers me about Biddle. Yes, he is strong in education. If that is his main issue, he should have remained on the SBOE. On the Council, he will have little impact on education, but will need to deal with a range of other issues. Too bad that he will have a number of IOUs to pay back to Kwame Brown. That does not make him guilty. It makes him someone with favors to return.

Edit: BTW, Biddle already had to fire his paid consultant -- Kwame Brown's father -- for saying that white people care more about dogs than people. Don't you think his deputy campaign manager would know to be a little more careful with his words after that? Or, maybe it was not an accident but a "planned" slip of the tongue. Jaffe hasn't been fired yet has he?

[jsteele]

Bryan Weaver just tweeted the following:

‘I’m so Angry I Can’t See Straight!’ 1. My African American committee chair was called by a sitting CM to attack my record in AA community.

2. My supporters were called White-centric


I already knew about "2" obviously. But, "1" is simply shocking. I would love to know which sitting Council Member called Minyon Moore. Also, we know that sitting Council Members have only endorsed Biddle, so likely it was a Biddle supporter. This is starting to look like a concerted effort by Biddle supporters to undermine Bryan among black voters. Is this something Biddle supports?

[Anonymous]

Last time I checked, Biddle was black. I don't know him, but I cannot imagine he would support it.

On the otherhand, what I have seen from the Twittershphere are a bunch of white 20 somethings pimping Weaver incessantly into a manic groupthink.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Last time I checked, Biddle was black. I don't know him, but I cannot imagine he would support it.

On the otherhand, what I have seen from the Twittershphere are a bunch of white 20 somethings pimping Weaver incessantly into a manic groupthink.

Nobody but you can explain whom you choose to follow on Twitter. Go tell Mark Stevens @MarkStevensDC that he is a "white 20 something":

http://bryanweaverdc.com/2011/04/15/guest-post-why-i-drafted-bryan-weaver/

I wish I were a "20 something" myself, but alas those days are long gone. Biddle is going to lose this election. The only question is how much respect his followers are going to make him lose along the way. Keep spreading the racial message that works for you. The rest of us are moving on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last time I checked, Biddle was black. I don't know him, but I cannot imagine he would support it.

On the otherhand, what I have seen from the Twittershphere are a bunch of white 20 somethings pimping Weaver incessantly into a manic groupthink.

Biddle is, I am pretty sure, the child of a mixed marriage, who grew up in an integrated environment, and has a white wife. I think if anyone is comfortable with both races, it's him. As Jeff said, Weaver came to DC to attend Howard Law; he is fluent in Spanish with a Latina wife and he lives in Adams Morgan. He is probably as comfortable as Biddle with anyone in DC. I am sure they both have supporters with hangups, but I don't think either should be tarred with racism.

Open your minds to the possibility that you can support someone without attacking the opponents. I even know people I respect a great deal who are gung-ho for Orange Let's count our blessings that we have a good crop of candidates.

Just call me Polyanna.

[Anonymous]

Weaver has repeatedly said that he wants to send the best performing teachers to the lowest performing schools. That revolving door has been spun, and it failed. He is an unbending liberal. As for being White-centric: It's true. His base is comprised of liberal, white intellectuals. His newest campaign video has one Black person in it, I believe.

I am voting for Biddle. Did he get the interim seat due to the backing of Brown & Gray? Yes. But that kind of political deal-making is common, and before Brown & Gray got caught doing some stupid shit, no one here blinked. The question then become whether Brown's & Gray's shit should stick to Biddle. I say no. The inference is also that Biddle is now on their pockets. I disagree. Coli

Anonymous wrote:Weaver has repeatedly said that he wants to send the best performing teachers to the lowest performing schools. That revolving door has been spun, and it failed. He is an unbending liberal. As for being White-centric: It's true. His base is comprised of liberal, white intellectuals. His newest campaign video has one Black person in it, I believe.

I am voting for Biddle. Did he get the interim seat due to the backing of Brown & Gray. Yes. But that kind of political deal-making is common, and before Brown & Gray got caught doing some stupid shit, no one here blinked. The question then becomes whether Brown's & Gray's shit should stick to Biddle. I say no. The inference is also that Biddle is now forever in their pockets due to political indebtedness. I disagree. Colin Powell got his job at the grace of political insiders. He didn't exactly spend 4 years kissing their asses. There are many examples.

Biddle is the only candidate with a strong background in the field of education. He supported Fenty. He's doing a good job & he doesn't
want to raise my taxes. He's a good choice for me & my family.

Biddle is the only candidate with a strong background in the field of education. He supported Fenty. He's doing a good job & he doesn't want to raise my taxes. He's a good choice for me & my family.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Nobody but you can explain whom you choose to follow on Twitter. Go tell Mark Stevens @MarkStevensDC that he is a "white 20 something":

http://bryanweaverdc.com/2011/04/15/guest-post-why-i-drafted-bryan-weaver/

I wish I were a "20 something" myself, but alas those days are long gone. Biddle is going to lose this election. The only question is how much respect his followers are going to make him lose along the way. Keep spreading the racial message that works for you. The rest of us are moving on.

So citing one person on Twitter makes your argument? It isn't my argument, it is what it is.

Biddle probably will lose this election, and he will lose it for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is everyone else who tried and didn't get the Democratic State Committee appointment successfully associated Biddle with the negatives of "establishment", eventhough Biddle is anything but.

Oh well, we can all live under the expanded jokes at the expense of DC Government when Vince Orange joins Marion Barry in the realm of supreme A$$ Clown.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
So citing one person on Twitter makes your argument? It isn't my argument, it is what it is.

Biddle probably will lose this election, and he will lose it for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is everyone else who tried and didn't get the Democratic State Committee appointment successfully associated Biddle with the negatives of "establishment", eventhough Biddle is anything but.

Oh well, we can all live under the expanded jokes at the expense of DC Government when Vince Orange joins Marion Barry in the realm of supreme A$$ Clown.

How many did you cite? I could point out others, but since you are convinced that all of Weaver's supporters on Twitter are white, no amount of examples to the contrary is likely to change your opinion. BTW, you do know that Marian Barry endorsed Biddle, right?

[Anonymous]

for the record
dennis jaffe is not sekou biddle's deputy campiagn manager--that is Terry McGuire. jaffe works there doing field and outreach and i follow his tweets and yesterday he made it clear he was not speaking for biddle campaign and was speaking from his personal opinion.

also for the record biddle is an amazing bridge builder and consensus builder and can work with all peoples...no matter the skin color. i think it is powerful that barry and catania. wells and cheh and bowser have endorsed. that shows what kind of bridge builder he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But Weaver's campaign has been "white centric". His supporters and support comes primarily from the urban twenty-something Fenty crowd. You know, the 'streetcar/bikelane/dog park' set.

Maybe it was impolitic for Jaffe to Tweet it, but it is certainly something many who are following this campaign have felt.

Methinks Jeff has a little agenda here in continuing to justify what has become known as the "DCUrbanMom" endorsement, which is really the opinion of one person.

No one seems to acknowledge this point.

eloquently put. thank you.