You remember when Adrian Fenty announced his bid for mayor. You brought out your best hammer and wailed: Who is this upstart just elected to a second term on the D.C. Council? He’s still asking for directions to the bathrooms. His chutzpah is off the chart. His constituents may consider him a near-God. But you are no idolater.
Then you leaned toward Vincent Orange. But he sabotaged his effort. Linda Cropp entered the fray as producer of “The Barry Administration Redux,” replete with disingenuous proposals like taking control of failing public schools; she was the concrete wall when Mayor Anthony Williams sought the same. Marie Johns cobbled together a ground operation that was much too flaccid for your taste. And Michael Brown, well, the less said the better.
Fenty sculpted a lean, efficient campaign organization, demonstrating his potential for assembling an effective management team once in office. His relentless door-knocking proved him capable of restoring the meaning of “government by the people and for the people.” Further, it suggested that in his administration no single special interest group would reign: Big business would have to take a number like everyone else.
While you didn’t agree with his recent vote on Williams’ emergency crime bill or his position on the stadium, Fenty’s willingness to take unpopular decisions and live with the consequences have been refreshing. (A major problem with Williams was that when he offered provocative ideas, instigating a battle between him and the legislature, he often wimped out under pressure.)
Much is made of Fenty’s “lack of experience.” Initially, you were a member in that chorus. Then, you remembered the same thing was said about Williams in 1998. His tenure proves that a so-called carpetbagging, bow-tie-wearing political neophyte inspired and committed can achieve dramatic results.
Truthtold, the arc of the city’s future has been outlined. No one is going to upend the stadium, or the 20-year plan for the Anacostia waterfront, or the Northwest One/Sursum Corda project recently signed into law. The broad strokes painted by Williams are indelible.
You think, the next mayor is destined for transitional communities where renaissance has been elusive and the bowels of the government, where chronically ailing agencies and offices suck taxpayer dollars but fail to deliver quality, cost-efficient services. Fenty’s heart is in these areas.
He’ll make a few mistakes. That’s to be expected; traveling from the legislative to executive branch can be a rough ride. But when you asked him recently why he wanted to be mayor, you saw the promise.
“We had a bad government. Mayor Williams made it a good government. Now I want to make it an excellent business,” he said.
After pounding, pushing and probing, you think Adrian Fenty has proved he is the best choice for mayor.
Jonetta Rose Barras is the political analyst for WAMU radio’s D.C. Politics Hour with Kojo and Jonetta. She can be reached at [email protected]
