Editorials and Opinions

Mark Plotkin • September 25, 2014

Muriel Bowser had a good week. First, the poll conducted by the Washington Post showed her with a commanding lead of 17 points. The rap on her was that when she was on the same stage with David Catania she would be vastly inferior and Catania would make her look bad. I was not at the first debate at American University with the three candidates present, but the published reports and word of mouth was that Bowser more than held her own.

Let’s get back to that poll. If subsequent polls show her continuing to lead with large margins, Catania will be tagged as a loser. That will make fundraising difficult and the campaign will be demoralized. Bowser has a huge fundraising lead now with more than $1 million in the bank. Catania’s challenge is to show that he is still a contender — that he has a chance. African American voters are overwhelmingly against him. In the Post poll, he gets only 11 percent of their vote. Many thought he would do considerably better with that group.

Although the poll does not show it, I firmly believe Carol Schwartz cuts into Catania’s potential with Independents. I have not said much about her efforts in past columns. Her past week was not good at all. Her attempt at rousing her troops and demonstrating grassroots support was downright dismal. Her Freedom Plaza rally produced a miniscule crowd. In addition, she was a no-show at the D.C. statehood hearing on Capitol Hill on Sept. 15. (Both Bowser and Catania were there.)

The D.C. statehood hearing deserves some comment. If there ever was truth to the old saw making “a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” it sure applied here.

The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) didn’t even push his own bill. D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton’s behavior was more appalling. She gushed over Chairman Carper and never asked him to round up the votes necessary to get the bill out of committee and onto the floor for passage. Once again, Holmes displays incumbent malfeasance.

Both Bowser and Catania sat in their seats appearing intent and interested. One of them could have distinguished themselves by emphatically saying that the hearing was a sham and charade. Taking on Norton for her pathetic role would have received some attention and demonstrated political courage. It’s too bad that both candidates passed up this golden opportunity.

At this point in the campaign, the traditional voting patterns are holding true.

Mark Plotkin has been writing about the mayor’s race for the Georgetowner and will be doing so until the November election. He is a political analyst and contributor to BBC on American politics.

Georgetowner • September 24, 2014

It’s been an exciting season for our hometown baseball team. What had seemed inevitable for the past month finally came to fruition last week, when the Washington Nationals clinched the National League East Division title and a spot in the Major League Baseball playoffs. After a one year absence from the playoffs, the Nats are back and looking better than ever.

First year manager, Matt Williams, has done a fantastic job guiding the team through several injuries without missing a beat. Stephen Strasburg has been excellent as expected, but the breakout performances of third baseman Anthony Rendon and pitcher Jordan Zimmerman helped the team return to the dominant form they were in two years ago.

The excitement of the playoffs brings back the concern about Metro service for those late night games. I recently met with Richard Sarles, the General Manager of WMATA, to discuss the issue and ways we can make sure everyone can stay to enjoy the entire game and still get home easily. I’m confident that between the Washington Nationals, MLB and WMATA, we’ll be able to reach an agreement to keep the trains running late, if needed, for all of the Nats’ home playoff games.

Baseball isn’t the only thing creating exciting news in that area of town. Just last week, news came of new energy and focus for part of the Half Street project right outside the stadium. With a new owner in place, the revitalization that has come to the neighborhood, with the stadium, Yards Park, the Bullpen and other developments, is picking up steam.

The stadium continues to work out better than anticipated. The District borrowed $584 million to build the stadium and identified other sources of revenue to pay off the loan. Revenue from the stadium and these other sources has raised millions of dollars more than necessary to pay the annual debt service obligations. All contingency funds have been fully funded and excess revenue is available to pay off the bonds early.

It looks like it will be a great October in Washington, with continued success for the Capital Riverfront area of our city. I have my fingers crossed for our hometown team. Hopefully, I’ll be able to write to you in a few weeks about even more exciting developments for Washington baseball. Go Nats!

Jack Evans is the Ward 2 Councilmember, representing Georgetown since 1991.

Mark Plotkin • September 10, 2014

If my grandmother Sophie Rosenthal were alive and observing the D.C. mayoral campaign, she would say in vintage Yiddish that David Catania is trying to portray his opponent Muriel Bowser as “treif.” “Treif” simply translated is unclean.

The former Republican turned Independent Catania wants voters, especially Democrats, to make Bowser guilty by association. First, he assailed her connection with Phinis Jones and the Park Southern Apartment controversy. Jones is a Ward 8 businessman and political operative, who is under federal investigation. Catania claims that Bowser should have chaired an oversight hearing on the entire matter. She refused. A not too subtle inference is that Jones’s role as a donor and supporter stopped Bowser from performing her Council responsibilities.

Now, Bowser’s former campaign consultant and strategist Tom Lindenfeld is reported to be under federal investigation for his alleged role concerning illegal campaign funding in the 2007 Philadelphia mayor’s race. In this episode, Bowser has acted differently and swiftly. She said, “I have the highest expectations of transparency from my campaign team: Tom no longer has a role on the campaign.”
Catania knows he will have trouble bringing diehard Democrats to cast a vote for a former Republican. If he can paint Bowser in any way as “ethically challenged” or “treif,” maybe that will move them to overlook or ignore Catania’s past Republican affiliation.

What I hope both candidates would do is something that is not being done, or in my memory has never been done in a D.C. mayoral campaign: present a strategy to empower D.C. Show me how D.C. attains budget autonomy, legislative autonomy, congressional representation and, ultimately, statehood.

When is the last time you remember a candidate for mayor drop a name or two? Telling us they have met with somebody in the White House or someone in the Senate or House. I asked Bowser if she would go see Democratic senators on the Governmental Affairs and Homeland Security Committee and seek their sponsorship of the D.C. Statehood Bill. At the Ward 3 Democrats meeting, she said she would go see the “senators she knew.” She did not name the ones she knew. She should also be seeing the ones she does not know.

Catania talks about going to the New Hampshire State legislature and getting supportive resolutions. That’s irrelevant and misguided. Why doesn’t he try to convert congressional Republicans to our side? That’s where the action is.

Both major candidates don’t even know the legislative players who perpetuate our colonial and un-American status. Why aren’t they forming friendships, informing and lobbying for D.C.? The campaign is a perfect place to start.

Mark Plotkin is a political analyst and contributor to the BBC on American politics.

Georgetowner •

It’s September and time to get back to work. I wrote last time about our local schools beginning a new school year. With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the city to get back to full life after the annual August slowdown.

Although the Council doesn’t formally meet between July 15 and Sept. 15, a Ward Councilmember’s work is never done. My staff and I were busy all summer long addressing constituent issues around the ward. While it seems like most people leave D.C. during August, government employees were hard at work fixing our streets, tending to our parks and working on some major construction projects across the ward. My office continues to work with different agencies to try to minimize the impact of these activities on our daily lives.

A few weeks ago, we had Ward 2 night at both the Nationals Park and the Shakespeare Theatre Company. These events are a great way to see so many of you in a fun environment. We announced information about both of these events via my e-newsletter list. If you would like to be notified about events like these in the future, and other happenings in the ward, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.jackevans.org.

The Council’s recess ends on Sept. 15, and the first Council legislative meeting will take place on Sept. 23. The Committee on Finance and Revenue, which I chair, will hold two hearings this month. On Sept. 18, we will take up a bill to create tax incentives to spur economic development along the Northeast New York Avenue corridor in Ward 5. On Sept. 24, we will have an oversight hearing to review the recently released Strategic Plan for his office and the city by the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWitt. To learn more, you can review the plan on the CFO’s website — cfo.dc.gov/publication/ocfo-strategic-plan.

The Council will review many important issues during the remainder of the year. One of my top priorities is the proposed new school boundary system. Does this new system put all of our students in a position to succeed? I have reviewed the proposal with Deputy Mayor for Education Abigail Smith and feel that it addresses some of the issues parents face in Ward 2 with limited middle schools and no open high school.  I will continue to work to make sure all Ward 2 students have access to quality schools at all levels. 

There are several other priorities of mine that I want to address in the remainder of the year.  I will continue to focus my energies on working to increase the number of police officers that make up our force. I have written and spoken about this issue many times and it remains a matter of great concern. In addition, the continuing problem of homelessness is something that the city must come together to address. I met this summer with representatives from the Department of Homeless Services and other government and non-governmental organizations to discuss this critical issue. It is not something that will be resolved easily but I will continue to work with the appropriate agencies to do as much as we can to help these individuals. Finally, the mayor and Council must continue to focus on economic development and job creation. These efforts not only generate tax revenue to fund important city services, but each new job we create can greatly improve the lives of individuals and families all across our city.

Councilmember Jack Evans represents Ward 2 of Washington, D.C., and is the longest-serving member of the District Council.

Mark Plotkin • August 7, 2014

Muriel Bowser should be a shoo-in for mayor. The main reason is that she is the Democratic nominee. Democrats are 76 percent of the registered voters of Washington, D.C. Thus, […]

Georgetowner •

Psst. The “I” word is back.

That would be impeachment, specifically the impeachment of President Barack Obama. It has been out there for some time now, of course, and Rep. Steven King, R-Iowa, is not the first to offer up the possibility.

And, of course, the word has been bantered about for many a president — including President James Madison during the War of 1812. It was called “Mr. Madison’s War,” after all.

This time, King suggested that the House might go there—impeachment—if President Obama chose to issue an executive order that would defer deportation of millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States.

Speaker of the House John Boehner has repeatedly said impeachment is not on the table. He also said once upon a time that he would never allow a government shutdown on his watch, but we know what happened there.

Boehner has initiated and pushed through legislation that the House would sue the president over the use of executive actions as a kind of abuse of power.

The good and faithful public servant Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and vice presidential running mate of Senator John McCain, has loudly and repeatedly urged the impeachment of the president, as in “We must impeach.” McCain has stoutly maintained, “I do not agree with her.

Boehner has insisted that the House would not do such a thing and argued that all the impeachment talk is a scam by the Democrats to raise money for the November mid-term election campaign.

If the president should pursue some sort of solo policy and executive action on immigration, why then that would be impeachable. Doing nothing about immigration except to deport immigrants is apparently not impeachable.

Still, this has been the do-nothing House of Representatives that has set a new standard in nothing doing. As for Palin, well, speaking of dereliction of duty, the governor quit her governorship in the middle of things because she had other, more important things to do—conduct a fact-finding bus tour as to whether there were enough people who wanted her to be president (there weren’t) and to cheer her daughter’s efforts on “Dancing with the Stars”.

Still, impeachment is a serious matter, even if it should only be yelled out by six drunks in a bar.
What’s being suggested here, there and in all things Republican is that the president be impeached and, if convicted, be removed from office for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” which, among other things, include the Benghazi controversy, the 24-7 career maker for Rep. Daniel Issa, the Health Care Act, the immigration crisis at the Texas border, the releasing of terrorists, and various matters, including , well, just because.

What would happen if the House moved forward, as well they might if they gain control of the Senate? If you think the country is divided and the government is paralyzed now, watch what happens then.

It’s happened only two times in American history. In the aftermath of the Civil War, when Lincoln’s Vice President Andrew Johnson, who took over as president, was impeached for—essentially—pursuing Lincoln’s goals of reconciliation with the South and, in the 1990s, when President Bill Clinton was impeached in the aftermath of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Neither was convicted or left office.

The only president who resigned his office and left was President Richard Nixon. Forty years ago, he resigned on Aug. 9, 1974, because of the Watergate scandal, even as the House appeared to be preparing impeachment papers against him.

According to a CNN poll, two thirds of the American people are opposed to going forward with an impeachment of the President Obama. Over 50 percent of Republicans apparently favor impeachment, John Boehner notwithstanding.

Can’t we just impeach the entire government, or at least the House as a whole? Is “doing nothing at all” an impeachable offense? Wait and see.

Georgetowner • August 6, 2014

One of the best parts of living in a city is how accessible everything is. From grocery stores to retail to restaurants, D.C. more than lives up to recent reports that it’s the most walkable city on the planet. One way we’ve made it even more walkable over the years is all the farmers’ markets that bring fresh, local, healthy food to neighborhoods all across the District.

The Arcadia Farm is taking the mobility of farmer’s markets one step further with the Arcadia Mobile Market that operates all across the city via a 28-foot converted school bus. The mission of Arcadia’s Mobile Market is to improve access to healthy, affordable food, regardless of where you live or how much you earn. The Mobile Market makes 18 stops across the city during the week, including the recently introduced market at Garrison Elementary at 1200 S St., NW, in Ward 2, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays.

The Arcadia Mobile Market takes advantage of the D.C. Government’s “bonus bucks” program that utilizes local funds to increase food access for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps), WIC (Women, Infants and Children), and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) recipients. I’m proud to say that I championed this program on the Council and worked to secure the necessary funding in the District’s budget.

In addition to the Arcadia Mobile Market, the “bonus bucks” funds are available to SNAP/WIC/FMNP recipients at the many participating farmers’ markets across the city and Ward 2. The program allows participants who redeem $5 of benefits to purchase $10 worth of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets.

I highly encourage everyone to visit their local farmers’ market. In addition to bringing delicious, healthy foods to nearly every neighborhood in Ward 2, these wonderful organizations are working with farmers, communities, the city government, and others to improve food access and make the city even more walkable for all of our residents.

I would also like to congratulate a member of my Council staff, Ruth Werner, on her recent marriage. Many of you know Ruth as my liaison to Georgetown civic associations. She also serves as the Director of the Finance and Revenue Committee, which I chair. I can only imagine that she timed her wedding to coincide with the summer recess that the Georgetown civic associations and the D.C. Council take in August. Be sure to congratulate Ruth and her husband Mark the next time you see them!

Mark Plotkin •

Muriel Bowser should be a shoo-in for mayor. The main reason is that she is the Democratic nominee. Democrats are 76 percent of the registered voters of Washington, D.C. Thus, anyone who runs with that banner starts with an enormous advantage. This cannot be repeated enough.

But Bowser’s support is soft, even amongst loyal Democrats. Her Democratic Primary victory was not attributable to overwhelming fervent support but because she became the plausible alternative to the vulnerable and damaged incumbent, Mayor Vincent Gray. Even when you ask voters who voted for her in the Democratic Primary they struggle to muster any enthusiasm for their own vote.

The very best thing that has happened to Bowser’s candidacy is that Carol Schwartz jumped into the race. This is the fifth time she has run for the office. She has been elected to the School Board and the District Council. Her name recognition is high, and there is a good deal of genuine affection for her. But Schwartz cannot win! What she does do is cut into David Catania’s support amongst D.C. Republicans and most of all with Independent voters who are not registered in either party.

The Independent vote is key. There are 80,000 voters registered as Independent. In all previous elections, they were not a factor. But in the 2014 mayoral election, if they come out in force, Catania’s candidacy becomes very viable. Independent voters have not been courted before. In this election, they will be by all the candidates.

Bowser desperately needs a definition. By this, I mean that she needs to give voters a reason to vote for her.

Catania is going after Democrats, even though he is not one of them. You have seen the signs — Democrats for David.

Bowser needs to remind voters that Catania was a Republican. That’s a dirty word in D.C. Catania is running a highly visible, smart campaign, so far. His persona needs to be re-shaped. There are too many stories concerning his temper and arrogance. Will he be able to do a personality transformation or a modified make-over?

The campaign will take twists and turns. I’ll be here to chronicle them in the issues ahead. A race that should not even be close at this early point appears to be taking that shape.

Mark Plotkin is a political analyst and contributor to the BBC on American politics.