It seems to be unanimous among the entitled, the journalistic, and the chattering classes west of Rock Creek Park: Marion Barry must go. He’s really done it this time!
We have known for decades he has a weakness for women, and for alcohol, and for giving city contracts to friends, who occasionally perform the work. What’s new about Barry’s most recent scandal is that he gave a contract to his current squeeze and asked her to cash a few of the checks and fork over cash that he had loaned her. That’s her version. If true, it amounts to a classic kickback.
And therefore, Marion Barry has got to go. Impeach him, my colleague Jonetta Rose Barras suggests. Editorialists have said he should step down. Fat chance. Some of his city council colleagues have called for censure.
Not so fast. Can we have a little due process here? Can we make sure Barry actually took kickbacks? As for giving sleazy contracts to friends and family, is Barry the only council member who endeavored to make such deals?
And while we’re waiting, let’s consider 10 reasons to keep Hizzoner around:
1. At 73 — after surviving the civil rights movement, a bullet from the Hanafi Muslims, 30 plus years in office, addiction to cocaine, prostate cancer and alcoholism — Marion Barry still often comes off as the smartest, most well-versed, quickest member of the city council.
2. Barry’s institutional memory is deeper and wider than anyone’s now in the government. Having used and abused the system for decades, he knows how it works.
3. When he was first elected mayor in 1978, he opened up city hall to D.C. blacks who had been shut out of the government forever. He still makes African Americans believe they have a connection to the government, through him.
4. Barry is often the only city council member who will advocate for poor folks. Whether it’s job training, drug treatment or affordable housing, the Ward 8 council member will make sure his colleagues get an earful. Granted, he may be all talk and no action, but we need to be reminded of the other half.
5. Democracy is an imperfect process, but voters have elected Barry time after time.
6. Barry infuriates many middle class whites; he’s always stickin’ it to the man and getting away with it.
7. If the city council votes next week to strip Barry of his chairmanship of the housing and work-force development committee, he will be furious and take it out on them by stalling legislation and forcing them to raise taxes.
8. He makes some of his colleagues look good, in comparison.
9. One day he might actually follow through on his empty rhetoric and do something to help his downtrodden constituents in Anacostia.
10. Barry is good copy.
E-mail Harry Jaffe at [email protected].
