Michael Brown is the biggest loser this election season. The Federal City Council comes close to topping the loss column. Linda Cropp comes out a winner, either way.
As we cast ballots today in the most meaningful election since the dawn of D.C. Home Rule in 1974, here’s my roster of good and bad moves, regardless of the vote count.
» Lobbyist Michael Brown never stood much of a chance to become the city’s next mayor.
He had to overcome the notion that he was riding on his legendary father’s name.
He had to withstand early news articles about funky financing of a luxury suite at the MCI Center. He came with zero experience in Washington politics.
On the campaign trail, Brown ennobled himself by talking to Washington teenagers who have been lost to the streets. In forums, he showed well.
But his political skills were horrendous.
What little money he raised came from out of town, as did his endorsements. Who cares if New Yorker David Dinkins likes him?
Still, Brown could have lost with his head high.
Instead, he called a news conference, threw kisses to Linda Cropp, who had derided for months, and called front-runner Adrian Fenty “a political novice,” a “man without courage and strength” who was attempting “to steal this race.”
Brown was more accurately describing himself. In one ill-conceived sound bite, Brown sullied his political future.
» Conspiracy theorists compare our Federal City Council to the Trilateral Commission.
No theories required: The business and political elite in the Federal City Council do run things here.
Like organizing regional forces to build the Metro system.
The city fathers were aghast at the prospect of a Mayor Fenty, whom they consider to be a novice at best and a proletarian at worst. They convinced Linda Cropp to run, against her will.
Here was a politician they could trust.
They anointed her, financed her and considered her a winner. But Federal City Council Member Don Graham couldn’t deliver the crucial Washington Post endorsement that might have drawn her even to Fenty.
If Cropp loses, the city’s pillars look weak and out of touch.
» Tony Williams is another loser. The mayor’s endorsement of Cropp became her political anvil.
The day he promised to campaign with her he jilted her in the morning and showed up late in the afternoon. “He’s never late to catch a plane out of town,” says TV reporter Tom Sherwood.
» As for winners, Kathy Patterson wins for bravery, even if she loses at the polls.
Leaving a safe council seat in Ward 3, she risked it all in the belief she could be a great council chair.
» The city’s children have to be winners; even if only half of the political rhetoric about education becomes reality, they can hope for better lives.
» Council Chairman Linda Cropp is a winner whether or not she prevails at the polls. She wins, she becomes chief executive; she loses, she can retire and spend time with her family.
I think she’d be just as happy to lose.
Harry Jaffe has been covering the Washington area since 1985. E-mail him at [email protected].
