Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Palmer was an incredibly weak candidate who did nothing to attract the vote outside her privileged white bubble. Mendo is *massively* popular in Wards 7/8, and Erin basically didn't campaign there (she lost by 14 points in Ward 7 and 16 points in Ward 8, more than double her citywide deficit). She thought cozying up to the GGW crowd would be enough (just like Ed Lazere thought four years earlier). It's pretty clear by now that that's a losing formula in a citywide race.

This. I even like Palmer but ultimately voted against her because she lacked enough substantive experience in city government to make me feel confident that she'd be good in that role. Chair is different than being a member of the council. I wasn't comfortable electing someone who'd just worked as an ANC rep and lacked familiarity with large swaths of the city (including where I live).

I've noticed that often the more progressive wing tends to run candidates like Palmer and Lazere -- people who have a good history on certain issues in a non-profit capacity, but just haven't done much in city government. I think it's a mistake. We need more people with deep experience with city agencies and issues. Like I'd love to see a former DCPS teacher or someone who has worked in DC HHS run for ward or at-large, then move into the council role. I don't think people who work in non-profits, even if they deal with city agencies, understand the culture or the issues deeply enough.

One would think that progressives running on their experiences supporting social issues would have better appeal to voters in Wards 7 and 8. Why don't they? Because issues of crime, homelessness, limited school options, funding the police, etc are real for those of us who live in these Wards and not just philosophical wonderings. Very few of these candidates have shown that they will actually do anything to improve these issues other than espouse talking points.

I'm the PP and I totally agree. When these candidates talk about crime or education, I can tell they are speaking about it from an academic perspective. They might have some insights, but it's not immediate to them. I think they are often well-meaning but ineffectual. I think this is often what happens with Charles Allen as well. I have met him and he seems like a really kind, good person. But I don't think he quite understands the issues. It seems like people in Ward 6 who are kind of like him (reasonably privileged, not from here, progressive but not a ton of personal experience with some of these issues) tend to think he's doing great, and that those of us who have been around longer and have dealt first hand with some of these problems appreciate his willingness to listen but are not really sure what, exactly, he brings to the table. I think he's done well in Ward 6 because there are so many newish people here who are like them, and he doesn't really offend anyone else. But he hasn't been terribly effectual.

I didn't want someone like that as Council Chair. Mendo isn't perfect but he's a known quantity.

Omg! Stop complaining here and run. You can do it. All these people unhappy with politicians, just run. We need new blood in politics at all levels.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He hasn’t demonstrated an ounce of vision for the city. It’s demoralizing.

No one in public office in DC has. He is not alone.

Mendo isn't perfect, but in the DC Council Chamber, he's one of the few grown-ups in the room.

Anonymous wrote:He hasn’t demonstrated an ounce of vision for the city. It’s demoralizing.

No one in public office in DC has. He is not alone.

I like him, he's the best council chair we;ev ever had.