Gray/Bowser Split

[jsteele]

There has always been a lot of animosity between the Vincent Gray and Muriel Bowser camps in DC's Democratic Party. Just after Gray's victory over Adrian Fenty, a lot of Gray's backers hinted that Bowser was next. But, since Gray almost immediately became embroiled in ethics issues, he didn't have a lot of electoral pull and Bowser's Ward 4 seat was never seriously threatened. Once the Jeff Thompson case blew up, Bowser was one of the first members of the Council to call on him to resign and during the primary, Bowser would not say whether she would endorse Gray if he won. Since the primary, Gray has refused to endorse Bowser and even a few days ago said that he didn't know for whom he would vote.

The Park Southern slumlord controversy that has embroiled Bowser and her supporters is probably orchestrated by the Gray administration or Gray supporters feeding information to reporters. Most recently, Gray and Bowser have been sniping over Gray's school boundary recommendations with Bowser promising to throw them out and start over and Gray ridiculing both that idea and Bowser's suggestion that she would not include DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson in the process. Henderson has publicly supported the recommendations, putting her at odds with Bowser. Bowser has previously committed to keeping Henderson, but they also seem to differ on the issue of Crestwood and 16th Street Heights residents maintaining access to Deal Middle School and Wilson High School. Bowser said she would not accept a plan that eliminated such access (or access to Eastern High School by East of the River students), while Henderson said that she didn't care if those residents moved due to being denied access. She said they would be replaced by new residents, some of whom would have babies.

The Gray/Bowser animosity has also shown up in Bowser's Ward 4 where ANCs have attempted to organize a mayoral debate. The commissioners attempting to organize the event included both Gray and Bowser supporters who apparently couldn't agree upon arrangements acceptable to Bowser. As I understand it, she still does not plan to attend the event.

Moreover, many Gray supporters feel that their candidate was defeated, not by Bowser, but by US Attorney Ron Machen who suggested guilt on Gray's part during the Jeff Thompson proceedings. Every day that goes by without Gray being indicted, the stronger feelings will grow that Gray was unfairly tarnished. Bowser is likely to become the target of that anger.

Bowser has been considered the favorite because of expected strong Democratic support and the fact that, while she hasn't inspired a lot of people, she generally hasn't upset a lot of people either. Now, she is not only facing battles on two fronts -- one against Independent candidate David Catania and other against members of her own party -- but, one of those battles involves people who apparently know where the bodies are buried (or have access to inside information). To the extend that Gray staffers and supporters continue to act as an opposition research organization against Bowser, it only benefits Catania. That should make for an interesting Fall.

[Anonymous]

Still no indictment, and I doubt there will ever be one.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:There has always been a lot of animosity between the Vincent Gray and Muriel Bowser camps in DC's Democratic Party. Just after Gray's victory over Adrian Fenty, a lot of Gray's backers hinted that Bowser was next. But, since Gray almost immediately became embroiled in ethics issues, he didn't have a lot of electoral pull and Bowser's Ward 4 seat was never seriously threatened. Once the Jeff Thompson case blew up, Bowser was one of the first members of the Council to call on him to resign and during the primary, Bowser would not say whether she would endorse Gray. Since the primary, Gray has refused to endorse Bowser and even a few days ago said that he didn't know for whom he would vote.

The Park Southern slumlord controversy that has embroiled Bowser and her supporters is probably orchestrated by the Gray administration or Gray supporters feeding information to reporters. Most recently, Gray and Bowser have been sniping over Gray's school boundary recommendations with Bowser promising to thrown them out and start over and Gray ridiculing both that idea and Bowser's suggestion that she would not include DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson in the process. Henderson has publicly supported the recommendations, putting her at odds with Bowser. Bowser has previously committed to keeping Henderson, but they also seem to differ on the issue of Crestwood and 16th Street Heights residents maintaining access to Deal Middle School and Wilson High School. Bowser said she would not accept a plan that eliminated such access (or access to Eastern High School by East of the River students), while Henderson said that she didn't care if those residents moved due to being denied access. She said they would be replaced by new residents, some of whom would have babies.

The Gray/Bowser animosity has also shown up in Bowser's Ward 4 where ANCs have attempted to organize a mayoral debate. The commissioners attempting to organize the event included both Gray and Bowser supporters who apparently couldn't agree upon arrangements acceptable to Bowser. As I understand it, she still does not plan to attend the event.

Moreover, many Gray supporters feel that their candidate was defeated, not by Bowser, but by KUS Attorney Ron Machen who suggested guilt on Gray's part during the Jef Thompson proceedings. Every day that goes by without Gray being indicted, the stronger feelings will grow that Gray was unfairly tarnished. Bowser is likely to become the target of that anger.

Bowser has been considered the favorite because of expected strong Democratic support and the fact that, while she hasn't inspired a lot of people, she generally hasn't upset a lot of people either. Now, she is not only facing battles on two fronts -- one against Independent candidate David Catania and other against members of her own party -- but, one of those battles involves people who apparently know where the bodies are buried (or have access to inside information). To the extend that Gray staffers and supporters continue to act as an opposition research organization against Bowser, it only benefits Catania. That should make for an interesting Fall.

I agree. It was contrived, otherwise there would be an indictment by name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still no indictment, and I doubt there will ever be one.

And if that's the case, Machen has some explaining to do.

[Anonymous]

I think there will be an indictment. Gray's been holding out for a deal, but since the primary he has nothing to bargain away. It's not like he can trade his resignation from office anymore, for reduced charges.

[Anonymous]

There is a Gray/Bowser split, and Bowser will not get the committed Gray vote. A number of Gray functionaries are quietly -- and not so quietly -- backing Carol Schwartz, because, while she's more honest than Gray, she's still seen as part of the DC political club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there will be an indictment. Gray's been holding out for a deal, but since the primary he has nothing to bargain away. It's not like he can trade his resignation from office anymore, for reduced charges.

Do you have inside infeomation that has not been shared with the rest of the population?

[Anonymous]

Information

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Information

Definitely. But, probably nothing relevant to my post. That was just an educated guess based on a careful reading of the press articles.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:The Park Southern slumlord controversy that has embroiled Bowser and her supporters is probably orchestrated by the Gray administration or Gray supporters feeding information to reporters. Most recently, Gray and Bowser have been sniping over Gray's school boundary recommendations with Bowser promising to throw them out and start over and Gray ridiculing both that idea and Bowser's suggestion that she would not include DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson in the process. Henderson has publicly supported the recommendations, putting her at odds with Bowser. Bowser has previously committed to keeping Henderson, but they also seem to differ on the issue of Crestwood and 16th Street Heights residents maintaining access to Deal Middle School and Wilson High School. Bowser said she would not accept a plan that eliminated such access (or access to Eastern High School by East of the River students), while Henderson said that she didn't care if those residents moved due to being denied access. She said they would be replaced by new residents, some of whom would have babies.

What is your basis for saying this?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:The Park Southern slumlord controversy that has embroiled Bowser and her supporters is probably orchestrated by the Gray administration or Gray supporters feeding information to reporters. Most recently, Gray and Bowser have been sniping over Gray's school boundary recommendations with Bowser promising to throw them out and start over and Gray ridiculing both that idea and Bowser's suggestion that she would not include DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson in the process. Henderson has publicly supported the recommendations, putting her at odds with Bowser. Bowser has previously committed to keeping Henderson, but they also seem to differ on the issue of Crestwood and 16th Street Heights residents maintaining access to Deal Middle School and Wilson High School. Bowser said she would not accept a plan that eliminated such access (or access to Eastern High School by East of the River students), while Henderson said that she didn't care if those residents moved due to being denied access. She said they would be replaced by new residents, some of whom would have babies.

What is your basis for saying this?

It's a guess on my part which is why I use the word "probably". But, here is some of what makes me think this is the case:

Here is the first article addressing the controversy:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-housing-complexs-decline-raises-questions-about-management-politics/2014/07/13/ab99317a-076d-11e4-bbf1-cc51275e7f8f_story.html

Read this article and see how helpful Gray administration officials are to the reporter. Also, check out the involvement of Chuck Thies, Gray's campaign manager. I follow lots of local reporters on Twitter. They all seem to complain constantly about DC's responses to FOIA requests. Yet Aaron Davis (the Post reporter) appears to have had no trouble obtaining documents and emails. I'm sure Davis is a terrific reporter, but I"m skeptical that he stumbled across this story himself. I've done enough political writing to know that there is always someone ready to pitch you a story that makes an opponent look bad.

Just to be clear, I'm not accusing anyone of any wrong-doing. I'm all for Gray's people shedding light on potential scandals of this sort. If this was dumped in Davis' lap, he would be stupid to ignore it.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-housing-complexs-decline-raises-questions-about-management-politics/2014/07/13/ab99317a-076d-11e4-bbf1-cc51275e7f8f_story.html

Read this article and see how helpful Gray administration officials are to the reporter. Also, check out the involvement of Chuck Thies, Gray's campaign manager. I follow lots of local reporters on Twitter. They all seem to complain constantly about DC's responses to FOIA requests. Yet Aaron Davis (the Post reporter) appears to have had no trouble obtaining documents and emails. I'm sure Davis is a terrific reporter, but I"m skeptical that he stumbled across this story himself. I've done enough political writing to know that there is always someone ready to pitch you a story that makes an opponent look bad.

Just to be clear, I'm not accusing anyone of any wrong-doing. I'm all for Gray's people shedding light on potential scandals of this sort. If this was dumped in Davis' lap, he would be stupid to ignore it.

from the article, there was already a lawsuit about the matter, and accussations by CM Catania of wrong doing, before the article was written. And some of the FOIA requests were for court records, presumably not in the control of the Mayor's office. Looks to me like the WaPo was pursuing this on its own using multiple sources - sure the Mayor's office may have expedited the FOIA requests that went to the District, and may have tried to be helpful generally, but I am dubious of the notion that the scandal was raised because of the Mayor.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-housing-complexs-decline-raises-questions-about-management-politics/2014/07/13/ab99317a-076d-11e4-bbf1-cc51275e7f8f_story.html

Read this article and see how helpful Gray administration officials are to the reporter. Also, check out the involvement of Chuck Thies, Gray's campaign manager. I follow lots of local reporters on Twitter. They all seem to complain constantly about DC's responses to FOIA requests. Yet Aaron Davis (the Post reporter) appears to have had no trouble obtaining documents and emails. I'm sure Davis is a terrific reporter, but I"m skeptical that he stumbled across this story himself. I've done enough political writing to know that there is always someone ready to pitch you a story that makes an opponent look bad.

Just to be clear, I'm not accusing anyone of any wrong-doing. I'm all for Gray's people shedding light on potential scandals of this sort. If this was dumped in Davis' lap, he would be stupid to ignore it.

from the article, there was already a lawsuit about the matter, and accussations by CM Catania of wrong doing, before the article was written. And some of the FOIA requests were for court records, presumably not in the control of the Mayor's office. Looks to me like the WaPo was pursuing this on its own using multiple sources - sure the Mayor's office may have expedited the FOIA requests that went to the District, and may have tried to be helpful generally, but I am dubious of the notion that the scandal was raised because of the Mayor.

It's possible that you are correct, though I trust my instincts on this one. The general election campaign is only really getting started now that we are past Labor Day. If a few more of these stories pop up, maybe you will be persuaded to my view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still no indictment, and I doubt there will ever be one.

It appears you are closer to being correct. I have no illusions that Gray is pure as the driven snow, but I think Machen needs to be called to account. He stood in front of cameras at a critical stage in the political process, made the incumbent essentially unelectable, directly influenced the outcome of the election, then failed to deliver.

If he was an elected, local prosecutor, there could be some consequences. But he's not, so I guess he just cashes in on a cushy partnership while the electorate is left hanging.

Seems rotten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still no indictment, and I doubt there will ever be one.

It appears you are closer to being correct. I have no illusions that Gray is pure as the driven snow, but I think Machen needs to be called to account. He stood in front of cameras at a critical stage in the political process, made the incumbent essentially unelectable, directly influenced the outcome of the election, then failed to deliver.

If he was an elected, local prosecutor, there could be some consequences. But he's not, so I guess he just cashes in on a cushy partnership while the electorate is left hanging.

Seems rotten.

Machin is crook. He was most likely bought and paid for by anti-Gray supporters. His timing was so so convenient for the elections, and here we with still no indictments.