Washington Post Endorsements for April 3 DC Primary

[jsteele]

I generally disagree with the Post's endorsements, but this time they were pretty close to my own thinking:

At Large: Sekou Biddle
Ward 4: Muriel Bowser
Ward 7 (Dem): Tom Brown
Ward 7 (Rep): Ron Moten
Ward 8: Jacque Patterson

I am supporting Biddle and I really think he is the best choice Shapiro would be a fine Council Member, but I think his lack of experience in DC politics handicaps him. Certainly, either would be better than Orange. I am still undecided in the Ward 4 race (my home ward). But, Muriel stopped by my house today and made a pretty convincing argument. I think she will win regardless of what I do. I got to know both Tom Brown and Jacque Patterson during last year's special election (Patterson ultimately didn't make it on the ballot) and both would be substantially better CMs then the incumbents against whom they are running.

[Anonymous]

Ditto on not thinking much generally of Post's local opinions. Also on Sekou. On Muriel, I disagree with a bunch of her positions, but think she is intelligent, hard-working, and has an honest basis for her opinions, so sshe has had my support, although I am not absolutely sure I won't decide to vote for another Bowser when I go into that booth.

Like Jeff, I was favorably impressed by Brown and Patterson, but Brown's opposition to same-sex marriage might be a deal-buster if I were in Ward 7. I don't think I'd go for Moten if I were GOP in 7.

Anyhow, I'm glad they were smart enough to follow Jeff's lead on Sekou.

[Anonymous]

01:22 again. I should mention that I think it was negligent of the Post to say nothing about any of Muriel's challengers. As my earlier note indicated, I think pretty highly of Renee Bowser, and agree with Jeff that Max Skolnik is another credible contender. I think the Post should have distinguished them from the other three, who, in this observer's opinion, have no business wasting the voters' time.

[Anonymous]

Would you all say more about why you think Biddle is a good choice?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Would you all say more about why you think Biddle is a good choice?

If you check the home page of this website, I wrote an endorsement of Biddle a couple of weeks back. But, briefly, Biddle is a thoughtful and intelligent person. He will bring a much-needed dose of good judgement to the Council. Also, he is ethically sound and we won't have to worry about more of the shenanigans that have been going on with Council Members. He is very knowledgeable about DC politics, having served on the State Board of Education and, briefly, on the Council.

His strength is education. He was a teacher and then ran an educational non-profit. His kids are in DCPS.

Many of the criticisms that you hear about Biddle apply to characteristics that are important for campaigning, but not for governing. For instance, I have heard him described as "boring." Boring is bad during a candidates forum where the bombastic Vincent Orange can make a big impression. But, boring is not a hindrance to developing sound legislation. That said, I don't actually find him boring.

We have a Council that had to pass a rule prohibiting members from swearing at each other. Biddle will help change that environment. At one forum, Orange stood up in front of the audience and called Biddle a "hypocrite". Biddle simply pointed out that Orange is under a lot of pressure and that pressure does not create character, it reveals character. Orange's character had just been revealed. In contrast, under the same pressure, Biddle was able to remain calm and thoughtful.

I could go through positions he has on various issues, but it would just be easier for you to visit his website at http://sekoubiddle.org/

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you all say more about why you think Biddle is a good choice?

If you check the home page of this website, I wrote an endorsement of Biddle a couple of weeks back. But, briefly, Biddle is a thoughtful and intelligent person. He will bring a much-needed dose of good judgement to the Council. Also, he is ethically sound and we won't have to worry about more of the shenanigans that have been going on with Council Members. He is very knowledgeable about DC politics, having served on the State Board of Education and, briefly, on the Council.

His strength is education. He was a teacher and then ran an educational non-profit. His kids are in DCPS.

Many of the criticisms that you hear about Biddle apply to characteristics that are important for campaigning, but not for governing. For instance, I have heard him described as "boring." Boring is bad during a candidates forum where the bombastic Vincent Orange can make a big impression. But, boring is not a hindrance to developing sound legislation. That said, I don't actually find him boring.

We have a Council that had to pass a rule prohibiting members from swearing at each other. Biddle will help change that environment. At one forum, Orange stood up in front of the audience and called Biddle a "hypocrite". Biddle simply pointed out that Orange is under a lot of pressure and that pressure does not create character, it reveals character. Orange's character had just been revealed. In contrast, under the same pressure, Biddle was able to remain calm and thoughtful.

I could go through positions he has on various issues, but it would just be easier for you to visit his website at http://sekoubiddle.org/

Williams was criticized as "boring", too. But he did a number of good things for the District, probably because he was willing to tackle boring subjects.

[jsteele]

The Washington City Paper and the Current Newspapers have also announced their endorsements. Both publications joined the Post (and me) in endorsing Sekou Biddle for the At Large Seat. This gives Biddle a nice trifecta of the Post, WCP, and Current.

All three also endorsed Muriel Bowser, giving her the same trifecta. Both the Post and WCP endorsed Patterson in Ward 8. The Current doesn't endorse east of the river and it seems the WCP didn't endorse anyone in Ward 7.

[Anonymous]

WCP endorsed Tom Brown in Ward 7: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2012/03/27/vote-this-way-on-april-3-continued/