Streetcars and public education

After dinner a week ago, some volunteers from the Fenty campaign knocked on our door to encourage us to attend the Ward 4 Democratic straw poll taking place that night.  With nothing else to do, Joe and I finished our dessert (ice cream) and hopped in the car.

Never having been to a straw poll before, neither of us really knew what to expect.  The volunteers had touted the possibility of free refreshments (nope) and, hoping for some face time with the mayor (also no), we brought a copy of the Washington Post's editorial endorsement for him to sign.  We thought it might look good on our bulletin board, next to the autographed Vic Vickers poster from Alaska and the floating Princess Diana head.

The evening turned out to be quite an experience.  I have never seen so many people, all so excited about local politics, crammed into one place.  After struggling to find a nearby parking space along the street, we had to wait in a very long line to cast our vote.  The poll was not just for the mayoral race - supporters and volunteers for a variety of city council posts were crawling all over the place, offering literature, stickers, and an earful.

What I liked the best, I think, was the fact that all of the candidates, aside from Fenty and Gray, were working the line of voters themselves.  We had a lengthy discussion with Vincent Orange, a former council member who is running against Kwame Brown for the chairmanship.  I'm supporting Fenty, despite the fact that I think he's a jerk, because I respect his accomplishments and I really like the work that Michelle Rhee is doing with DC Public Schools.  The guy in front of us in line was asking all of the candidates about their position on streetcars, something I hadn't even thought about as an issue, but which I strongly support.  It was really interesting to hear everyone stake out their positions.

With such a long line to vote, we hardly got to see any of the forum between Fenty and Gray.  From what I did see, they bickered like a pair of bratty, contentious schoolchildren, which was kind of silly.  Gray ended up winning, even though Ward 4 is Fenty's home district and one of his strongholds.  Though the results of the poll do not bode well for the upcoming primary in September, it was, nevertheless, gratifying to see such a strong turnout.  Democracy is alive and well in the District.