Reading Between the Lines of DC’s Mayoral Candidates
At September’s candidate forums, expect Muriel Bowser to prod David Catania’s famous temper as he attacks her positions—if she risks any. For now, DC’s mayoral hopefuls require translation.
What she means: Watch me run away from questions to deprive my opponent of the microphone.
“I appreciated a very genuine handshake that [Vince Gray] offered
to me this morning.”
What she means: The mayor and I revile each other.
“If you’re not married at 42, people think there’s something wrong
with you. I date all the time. I am private, that’s for sure.”
What she means: No, I am not gay.
“I don’t think everything has to change in the government”
What she means: Hey, black voters who turned out my political mentor: I’m no
Adrian Fenty.
“You’re not mayor until you are mayor.”
What she means: Quit worrying about my not seeming “mayoral.”
What David Catania says:
“It’s past time for the candidates of this race to engage in a public discussion about the future or our city.”
What he means: Help! Until Bowser agrees to debate, I got no game.
“A label alone never puts food on the table . . . never educates
children, and it doesn’t provide health care.”
What he means: Because I’m running against a Democrat in one of the nation’s
bluest cities, my only prayer is to convince DC voters to abandon
their party.
“People understand that even if they don’t necessarily agree with
me all the time . . . I roll up my sleeves and I’m serious about
getting solutions.”
What he means: My hard work makes up for my embarrassing lack of civility.
“Let me be clear—I will not be seeking reelection as a member of
the council. I am running for mayor of the District of Columbia.”
What he means: After 17 years, I couldn’t stand another term on the DC
Council.
“The [Democratic] primary was about who shouldn’t be mayor, not
who should be.”
What he means: I really wanted to run against Vince Gray.
What Carol Schwartz says “I just want you to
take me a little bit more seriously.”
What Carol Schwartz means . . . Before I
disappear again to Rehoboth.
This article appears in the September 2014 issue of Washingtonian.
Reading Between the Lines of DC’s Mayoral Candidates
At September’s candidate forums, expect Muriel Bowser to prod David Catania’s famous temper as he attacks her positions—if she risks any. For now, DC’s mayoral hopefuls require translation.
What Muriel Bowser says:
“I don’t run away from people asking questions.”
What she means: Watch me run away from questions to deprive my opponent of the microphone.
“I appreciated a very genuine handshake that [Vince Gray] offered
to me this morning.”
What she means: The mayor and I revile each other.
“If you’re not married at 42, people think there’s something wrong
with you. I date all the time. I am private, that’s for sure.”
What she means: No, I am not gay.
“I don’t think everything has to change in the government”
What she means: Hey, black voters who turned out my political mentor: I’m no
Adrian Fenty.
“You’re not mayor until you are mayor.”
What she means: Quit worrying about my not seeming “mayoral.”
What David Catania says:
“It’s past time for the candidates of this race to engage in a public discussion about the future or our city.”
What he means: Help! Until Bowser agrees to debate, I got no game.
“A label alone never puts food on the table . . . never educates
children, and it doesn’t provide health care.”
What he means: Because I’m running against a Democrat in one of the nation’s
bluest cities, my only prayer is to convince DC voters to abandon
their party.
“People understand that even if they don’t necessarily agree with
me all the time . . . I roll up my sleeves and I’m serious about
getting solutions.”
What he means: My hard work makes up for my embarrassing lack of civility.
“Let me be clear—I will not be seeking reelection as a member of
the council. I am running for mayor of the District of Columbia.”
What he means: After 17 years, I couldn’t stand another term on the DC
Council.
“The [Democratic] primary was about who shouldn’t be mayor, not
who should be.”
What he means: I really wanted to run against Vince Gray.
What Carol Schwartz says “I just want you to
take me a little bit more seriously.”
What Carol Schwartz means . . . Before I
disappear again to Rehoboth.
This article appears in the September 2014 issue of Washingtonian.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Maryland Bookstore Donates Proceeds From GOP Senator’s Book Sales to Immigrant Charity
Up All Night in DC, the City That Very Much Sleeps
Trump Wants to Move Federal Jobs Out of the DC Area. Here’s What It Was Like the Last Time He Did That.
Who Will Run for Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Seat? A Guide to the Candidates and Rumors.
It’s a Weird Time to Be a Seed Oil Lobbyist
Washingtonian Magazine
August Issue: Best Burgers
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Howard University Is Helping Tech Understand Black Speech
Need to Know What Time It Is? 6 Places to Find a Sundial Around DC.
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
More from News & Politics
Administration That Hired Guy Who Urged Capitol Rioters to Kill Cops Puts Federal Police on DC Streets, Neo-Nazi Sentenced for Thwarted Maryland Attack, and an Arlington Native Wrote the New Film “Weapons”
An Ohio River Wasn’t Deep Enough for JD Vance, Trump Threatens to Deploy DC National Guard, and Laura Loomer Says She’s the President’s “Rasputin”
A “Corpse Flower” That Smells Like Rotting Meat Is in Bloom at the Botanic Garden
DC’s Mysterious Coca-Cola Machine With 75-Cent Soda
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Spotted at DC’s Bar Angie
Buyouts Are Nothing New at the Post, but These Are “Gutting”
Could Trump Actually Take Over DC?
Trump Threatens DC Takeover After “Big Balls” Assault, the “Five Things” Emails Are Officially History, and Badar Khan Suri Will Return to Work