Comments on: Why is Barry more popular than Fenty?

By: thos

thos — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:31:34 +0000

The much overvalued “small-bore patronage” mentioned above has sustained for decades ineffective and often corrupt local governments based on “identity politics,” in which a constituent's identity, emotionally connected to a perceived “relationship” with his leader, far outweighs in importance the leader's actual performance. Richard Daley, Sr. never missed a funeral, and he's only one in a very long line of such leaders. Government and business relationships that are not “arms length” soon become “hands on.”

By: Rlmccants

Rlmccants — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:38:29 +0000

To understand black DC's affinity with Marion Barry, you have to actually WANT to understand the full picture, and not just the mistakes. Sadly, too many people only want to dwell on the negative, and not take a balanced approach.

By: acbjrpfx

acbjrpfx — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:06:10 +0000

I wish there were more comments about why Barry is continuously supported. I've never figured that out. I think DC residents should be ashamed that they have re-elected him so many times. Could the appeal be that he's someone who continually operates above/in spite of the law and that's attractive to many of his voters? He's “sticking it to the man” and others find that laudible? I'm stymied.

By: Borderstan

Borderstan — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:06:38 +0000

I agree with a lot of what you say. But the idea that newcomers have NO voice, no right to an opinion is wrong, too. That mindset has been prevalent in DC for quite some time. There is a lot of fear related to change. It's understandable. At the same time, though, fear is usually not a good thing — for longtime residents or newcomers. Fear does not usually lead to intelligent conversations or problem solving. Just my take — and I've been here 18 years (20 total).