Gray Gone by Aug. 31?

From the "Let's Talk Politics with Adrienne Washngton" segment on Lyndia Grant's "Think on These Things" radio show on WYCB-1340AM, MySpiritDC.com, Friday, 7/20/12, 6-6:30 pm :

Gray Gone by August 31?


Today President Obama said “is not a day for politics” as he canceled a campaign event in Florida in memorial to the victims of the Colorado movie shooting in which a deranged gunman took at least 12 lives. And, I’m sure I speak for you and your listeners by sending our prayers to the families and loved ones of all those involved. And, on another day, we will discuss the political pressure exerted by the National Rifle Association and other Second Amendment groups that allows America to be the only Western nation where an individual can literally become a one-man heavily-armed militia able to kill masses.

However, we would be remiss if we did not give a passing mention to a few political happenings this week which your listeners in the DMV (District, Maryland and Virginia) might want to pay attention to:

First off, DC Ministers, Rev. Willie Wilson and Rev. Grayland Hagler, staged a supporters’ rally in front of the Wilson Building this week to counter the cries for the Mayor Vincent Gray’s resignation. My sources tell me that DC Mayor Vincent Gray will be forced out of office by Aug. 31 by federal prosecutors, the city’s business stakeholders and the court of public opinion, that mainly being at the behest of the Washington Post which released a questionable poll this week. That poll contends that the majority of DC voters, including African Americans want Mayor Gray to resign, a majority said they would now vote for former Mayor Adrian Fenty, but that none of those named as possible mayoral contenders, which include DC Council members Jack Evans, Muriel Bowser and Tommy Wells catches the voters’ fancy either. The Aug. 31 ouster date is being circulated by speculators – and DC loves nothing more than a guessing game -- in order for the Board of Elections to organize yet another special election in the District this year, potentially the third one. However, As I said last week when a third member of Gray's 2010 campaign, public relations consultant Eugenia Harris plead guilty to campaign fraud for operating a $650,000 “shadow campaign,” Mr. Gray should not resign until he has either been charged and convicted of a crime, or the DC voters go through the legal political process to recall him.

Speaking of polls, which I will remind you are mere “snapshots” that take the voter’s temperature which can be like Washington’s unpredictable weather, the latest Quinnipiac poll of Virginia voters shows President Obama losing ground even after his campaign sweeps through this battleground state, and he is now even with Republican Mitt Romney, at 44 to 44 percent. The only good news here is that the president fares slightly better with Independents at 40-to 38 percent. Also, these numbers don’t seem to have any bearing on the upcoming US Senate between former governors Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen, according to last week’s poll results. Those contenders also seem to be neck-in-neck in this rematch that has been overshadowed by the oversaturation of presidential campaign adds.

In Maryland?

You’ve got to give some props to the Montgomery County Council which not only put PEPCO on the hot seat for its poor performance after massive power outages, but also put the PSC, the Public Service Commission literally on the firing line, calling on Gov. Martin O’Malley to replace them ALL, because the local offiicials charge they have not done their jobs of holding PEPCO to higher standards and punitive sanctions.

On the gambling front, some hope on the shores of National Harbor, it is still anyone’s bet if Gov. O'Malley will call a special session to placate Prince George’s leaders who want lucrative slots plus Las Vegas style gambling in their jurisdiction. This debate is setting the stage for the 2014 gubernatorial Democratic primary race pitting Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who supports the special session and gambling in his home base, against Comptroller Peter Franchot, who is against the special session because he contends that move sets up a tax break for the gaming industry.

That’s it for the DMV this week, but remember to check your voter registration status ASAP. And read my blog at awashingtonnote.blogspot.com