Random Reasons For Not Supporting FentyRhee; The Dog Ate My Homework

Now that an election is on the horizon for DC mayor, some friends of mine have asked me about my reasons for "lack of confidence" in Mr. Adrian Fenty as the mayor of Washington, DC. So some random examples are in order - not an attempt at cataloging, just some random examples, as they present themselves, of moments that make me think I want better from political "leadership".

Fenty appeared before the DC Council this week to talk about his 2011 budget for the city. The budget includes a pay raise for teachers but fails to provide the funding needed to pay for it. From the following article from The Examiner, when questioned about the disparity, Fenty said that Rhee would answer the question later and asked council members to email him questions. Fenty's passing the buck to Rhee is just one example of why I often use FentyRhee and RheeFenty to describe them.

I scratch my head - he doesn't seem very prepared to me. For many I know, that wouldn't cut it at their job - make a presentation and leave out critical info? It wouldn't cut it for my son's 8th grade class. Throw in a little arrogance..... not a path to career success for most although it amazes me how well it works for some.

From The Washington Examiner,

Council grills Fenty over proposed budget

By: Alana Goodman
Examiner Staff Writer
April 13, 2010

.......................Council members also sparred with the mayor over how he would fund his proposed $101 million in pay raises for teachers. About $65 million of this tab would be picked up by private grants, while taxpayer dollars would fund the rest.

"We're talking about a huge sum of money here that I cannot identify in the budget. ... Where is it?" Chairman Vince Gray asked the mayor.

Fenty responded that Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee would answer the question during her testimony on Tuesday, but Gray shot back that "this is way above her pay grade."

"I don't think every mayor should know every dollar in the budget ... but we're talking about an issue involving education, which is your top priority," said Gray, who is challenging Fenty in the 2010 mayoral election.

Councilman Marion Barry also slammed the mayor for not indicating where the money would come from. "Let me ask you a question: Is this the chancellor's budget or your budget?" Barry said. "I think the mayor of the District of Columbia ... ought to be able to tell this council where the $100 million is coming from."

Fenty invited the council members to e-mail him or call him with their questions. "There are questions that I guess I'm not going to have the answer to sitting on the dais," he said.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/D_C_-Council-grills-Fenty-over-proposed-budget-90691894.html#ixzz0l4uk1Y7a