Tommy Wells

[jsteele]

I was invited to be part of a small group that met with Tommy Wells yesterday evening to discuss his mayoral race. This is the first time I have met him personally and I found him very interesting. I learned a lot about him that I didn't know before. Also, I gained increased appreciation for some of his "livable/walkable" ideas.

What are your opinions of Wells and what chance to you think he has for becoming Mayor?

[Anonymous]

My opinion of Wells is that he is white and that therefore he has no chance of becoming Mayor.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:My opinion of Wells is that he is white and that therefore he has no chance of becoming Mayor.

Yet the city easily elected a white Council Chair recently. Also, that is not the first time a white Council chair has been elected. I don't think you give DC's voters the proper appreciation they deserve.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate that they are racists...what more do they want?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that they are racists...what more do they want?

I want you to have a better understanding of the electorate. While there are likely racists of all colors in the city, the evidence suggests that members of all races will vote for candidates of other races.

[Anonymous]

I am favorably disposed toward him. I don't have the adoration that is routinely displayed on GGW, but I do like him - certainly more than any of the other confirmed and rumored candidates. I liked his vote (symbolic though it was) against the toothless joke of an ethics bill that the rest of the Council passed.

As far as electability, it's tough to say before we knwo the entire field. His best chance is if (i) several candidates split the Wards 7-8 voting block that propelled Bonds to victory, and (ii) candidates that could challenge him for the Wards 2-3 votes drop out or crash and burn early.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that they are racists...what more do they want?

I want you to have a better understanding of the electorate. While there are likely racists of all colors in the city, the evidence suggests that members of all races will vote for candidates of other races.

DC is one of the most segregated cities in the country by neighborhood. and a white will not win the mayors office. as racist as it gets.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that they are racists...what more do they want?

I want you to have a better understanding of the electorate. While there are likely racists of all colors in the city, the evidence suggests that members of all races will vote for candidates of other races.

DC is one of the most segregated cities in the country by neighborhood. and a white will not win the mayors office. as racist as it gets.

I believe this reflects your own views about race more than it reflects the reality of the DC electorate. Are you even a DC voter?

[Anonymous]

Haha, ok, well, I'll tell you one thing - I'm a reasonably well educated voter, but not a day to day watcher of the Council. Generally pay attention to the big stuff, and vote in the special elections (so that makes me top 10% is paying attention, right?). But I will admit I can't name all the council members.

I'm white and I live in ward 1.

And if you had asked me about Tommy Wells, I would have said he'd have a good chance of being mayor because he's black. I guess I assumed it with his first name being Tommy.

So, in my own focus group of 1, he's got a long way to go to introduce himself to voters.

[Anonymous]

PP - not just the name - I think I assume I know all the white council members - Ward 1's Graham, Cheh in 3, the current chair whose name I know I can't spell from G'town. I thought that was it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haha, ok, well, I'll tell you one thing - I'm a reasonably well educated voter, but not a day to day watcher of the Council. Generally pay attention to the big stuff, and vote in the special elections (so that makes me top 10% is paying attention, right?). But I will admit I can't name all the council members.

I'm white and I live in ward 1.

And if you had asked me about Tommy Wells, I would have said he'd have a good chance of being mayor because he's black. I guess I assumed it with his first name being Tommy. So, in my own focus group of 1, he's got a long way to go to introduce himself to voters.

Irony

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - not just the name - I think I assume I know all the white council members - Ward 1's Graham, Cheh in 3, the current chair whose name I know I can't spell from G'town. I thought that was it.

Wow. You need to rethink your perception of yourself as well-informed.

[Anonymous]

Not a viable Mayoral candidate for a wide variety of reasons having nothing to do with race. And I am a Wells fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that they are racists...what more do they want?

I want you to have a better understanding of the electorate. While there are likely racists of all colors in the city, the evidence suggests that members of all races will vote for candidates of other races.

DC is one of the most segregated cities in the country by neighborhood. and a white will not win the mayors office. as racist as it gets.

Oh yeah and that's why Phil Mendolson couldn't beat Scott Bolden....oh, wait....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a viable Mayoral candidate for a wide variety of reasons having nothing to do with race. And I am a Wells fan.

I'm a Wells fan, too, but I have my doubts as to whether he can win.