April 26 DC Special Election

[Anonymous]

I'm in for the Defeat Orange at all costs. Jeff had me for a bit when he was arguing that it's not a two-man race between Biddle and Orange, but I don't think the numbers are bearing that out. And while I like Weaver, frankly he's a bit too focused on increasing the welfare burden in DC to the benefit of the 'burbs.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in for the Defeat Orange at all costs. Jeff had me for a bit when he was arguing that it's not a two-man race between Biddle and Orange, but I don't think the numbers are bearing that out. And while I like Weaver, frankly he's a bit too focused on increasing the welfare burden in DC to the benefit of the 'burbs.

I'm not sure what "numbers" you think bear anything out. There have been two polls publicized and Biddle actually lost ground in the results. I don't think Biddle can win. The sad fact is that those who are trying to think "politically" are picking Biddle for exactly the reason I oppose him -- they think establishment support will translate to votes. At the moment, I think establishment support hurts Biddle. I don't think that is going to change before April 26. If you are going to lose the election, you may as well lose it supporting the candidate in whom you believe.

[Anonymous]

Better call. I am glad you got off that Sekou Biddle bandwagon. Now you sound like a real man. Too bad you can't see the real value of Orange on this council.

I hope others are ready to move away from the Gray/Brown political machine.

[Anonymous]

I see Biddle's ads are now trying to distance himself from his friends.

[Anonymous]

Given that the law requires that no more than two at large seats be filled by any one party, and Michael Brown and Phil Mendelson are Democrats (although Brown fudged and ran as an "Independent Democrat", part of me leans toward voting for a non-Democrat. That means Republican Patrick Mara or Statehood-Green Alan Page.

I think both are liberal on social issues like same-sex marriage and reproductive choice, but they are probably as opposite as can be on fiscal issues. Any thoughts about these two?

[jsteele]

Regarding Mara and Page, I gave a lot of thought to them. Page is faced with two issues: no money and very little organization. On the March 10th fundraising report, he had only raised $500 I believe. I am not one who believes that money is the most important indicator of success -- if I were I would support Orange. But, you have to have some money. You also need organization. Who is going to participate in get-out-the-vote? Who will be at polling places handing out literature and so on? Who is going door to door now? Page doesn't have support in those activities. As such, I see no chance at all that he can win. But, as I said above, if you believe in him, why not go down supporting the guy in whom you believe.

Mara has reasonable funds and a decent organization in the Republican party which will be helping him. I think his positions are reasonable. One point I would hold against him is his getting in this race so soon after winning the State Board of Education Seat, which he has only held since January. That shows an amount of political ambition with which I am not entirely comfortable. The SBOE seat should be more than just a stepping stone. Also, when it comes right down to it, I am a Democrat. That doesn't mean that I would never vote for a Republican, but that Republican would have to be the best candidate. I am not in the affirmative action voting business. I don't see Mara as distinctly better than many of the other candidates.

[Anonymous]

What is funny is I am seeing in the Twitter universe claims of Weaver winning the DCUM endorsement, making it sound like it is anything more than just Jeff's opinion/endorsement.

Weaver is a great guy, but he is not what we need on the Council right now. I do appreciate Jeff's rational and believe the city is better off when there can be open and honest political dialogue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is funny is I am seeing in the Twitter universe claims of Weaver winning the DCUM endorsement, making it sound like it is anything more than just Jeff's opinion/endorsement.

Weaver is a great guy, but he is not what we need on the Council right now. I do appreciate Jeff's rational and believe the city is better off when there can be open and honest political dialogue.

So what do we need?

Mara stresses that as a Republican, he'll be able to sit down with Boehner in a way nobody else in the City government can. I wonder whether that would be the case or whether he will be laughed out of the room as a RINO.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
Mara stresses that as a Republican, he'll be able to sit down with Boehner in a way nobody else in the City government can. I wonder whether that would be the case or whether he will be laughed out of the room as a RINO.

This sort of thing sounds good in theory, but doesn't add up in practice. Let's say the House Republicans want to get rid of same sex marriage in DC. If such an effort gains traction, it's because actual Republican House members (i.e. people that can vote for Boehner) support the effort. So, Mara goes to meet with Boehner to ask him not to pass the bill. How much wait do you think Boehner gives a DC Council Member compared to actual members of his caucus? It's not simply the case that Mara would be considered a RINO, it's that he has nothing to offer Boehner.

[jsteele]

A couple of developments in the campaign today. Bryan Weaver won the endorsement of YouthPAC. Weaver won nearly three times as many votes as second-place Tom Brown.

Sadly, Vincent Orange had to leave the campaign trail to attend the funeral of his brother-in-law in California. Condolences to Orange family.

[Anonymous]

Jeff, thanks for note on Orange family. Sorry to hear that.

YouthPac? Site says 3 guys 18-24 and 1 lives in PGC. Members can be age 6 years to 30 in DC or PGC? I too am a fan of Bryan's as a person. But this doesn't sound like a very persuasive endorsement for a group that also publicizes Sekou's student transport bill.

I think it would be great if Bryan ran a city agency for a while to build a broader base. Right now he's kind of a ward 1 Tommy Wells. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

Sekou has the education experience lacking on the council now. Mara, whom I agree jumped the gun on SBOE to council, is important because better a Rino than a no go. Unless Eleanor's buddy Newt comes back to town, we're nowhere without a red.

BTW, can we impeach Kwame for being a dullard before anything else happens?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Shall we wear name tags that say Anonymous so we'll recognize each other?

Definitely!

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I have decided to support Bryan Weaver in the At-Large race:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/weblog/2011/03/31/vote-for-weaver

I'm a single dad living in Petworth and had the pleasure of meeting Bryan Weaver while at the YouthPAC forum event at MLK Library, and he was incredibly intelligent, very well-spoken, and knew every issue inside and out. He even out-witted a heckler in the Q&A!!!! It was definitely a high-point. Couldn't agree with you more. Though it's late in the game.... I'm taking down my Biddle sign, and waiting for my Weaver sign. Also, his "Dirtiest Jobs in DC" YouTube video is a riot!

Sekou - you gave it your all, and showed your style, intelligence, and political value - but Weaver just flat-out killed.

Tom Brown - you could be THE BIG candidate in the next Ward-7 CM election. You are truly a great person with personality and presence. Also, statistically, it doesn't hurt to be 6'-5". Keep pushing the issues. You truly connect with everyone, and I just don't get that with Yvette, who only seems to be around when it's convenient for her, or there's a photo-op.

Josh Lopez - you had some good answers, and some not so good answers. You should also show your passion more and stop trying to be what you're not. Be the fiery activist. You have the Latino vote too, but does that really matter when that alone won't win it?

Vincent - My Condolences.

Dorothy Douglass - Yes, you invited kids to live in your basement - yay. But really? I get that you're running - but really? Shouldn't someone that's been on the old DC School Board AND the SBOE actually speak proper English AND use correct grammar? HUGE PET-PEEVE! My 8 yr-old daughter speaks better than you. Again - It's "We ARE", not "We IS". WOW. NEXT.

Alan Page - you're really a smart guy, but I didn't get that connectivity. Sorry, man. Try to hang on to someone's coat tails and see what you can get.

Pat Mara - Where do I start? Decent answers, Republican (not that it really matters), a bit of a frat-boy attitude (well, he was one), but just not convincing enough. Be glad you have your SBOE seat. If I lived in Ward-1, I would have voted for you too vs. Dotti Love - who I know, but she was part of the old-DC that had to go. Thank you for stepping in. Stick around. I'm technically a Republican dressed as a Democrat so I can effectively vote in DC - but glad the GOP is making strides. Fenty should have taken the nod and switched camps. He could have taken it. Heck - he might get it back when Mayor Snidely Whiplash goes to jail for election fraud. <rimshot>...yes, I'll be here all week.


I also met Ward-4 SBOE Candidate An Almquist - she would be an excellent choice. Apparently though, none of the other Ward-4 candidates bothered to fill out the looooong questionnaire, so she was the only one invited to be on their ballot, though they didn't give her a chance to speak. So, I approached her. Unlike Michelle Rhee, who some say she looks like (I don't see it), she's quite charming, personable, and connects. She seems like a perfect fit for the job - well educated, very qualified (read her post on here and got her flier), and she carried 55% of the Gertrude Stein Forum vote, but was just short of formal endorsement (Saw the article in "The Blade"). Well, she gets mine. Looking forward to seeing her in office vs. someone pulling a Pat Mara.

As charming as Vincent Orange is, I also agree with the view on taking him down at all costs. He's "old DC", and we've seen where that's taken us in the last few months of VG's administration. He had his chance, but somehow keeps the machine alive, and he knows he can't unseat Harry Thomas, Jr., who's just done a much better job. Unfortunately, the NW wards are very split on Biddle, Weaver, Mara, and Lopez. vs. a consolidated front by Orange "across the river". If someone doesn't pull a sac-fly to center on this, we may just end up with Orange on Council. So, who drops out? Not Biddle - Not Lopez - Not Weaver.

Reality Bites. It's coming down to the wire. What candidate is willing to make the sacrifice for the greater good?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm a single dad living in Petworth and had the pleasure of meeting Bryan Weaver while at the YouthPAC forum event at MLK Library, and he was incredibly intelligent, very well-spoken, and knew every issue inside and out. He even out-witted a heckler in the Q&A!!!! It was definitely a high-point. Couldn't agree with you more. Though it's late in the game.... I'm taking down my Biddle sign, and waiting for my Weaver sign. Also, his "Dirtiest Jobs in DC" YouTube video is a riot!

Excellent post. You captured a number of my own thoughts and probably convinced me to support Almquist as well.

[jsteele]

The Washington Teachers Union (WTU) has endorsed Vincent Orange in the At-Large race. It will be interesting to see how Orange handles that hot potato.

I'd love to know the WTU's reasoning for this endorsement.