Tuesday, August 03, 2010

And the Ward 5 Race Gets More Interesting

Ward 5 Council hopeful Kenyan McDuffie's campaign reports that someone cut down McDuffie signs in front of their campaign headquarters. It reminded me that fingers were pointed (rightly or wrongly) at a certain candidate last Ward 5 race for cutting down competitors' signs. That person also ran again this year (she also challenged McDuffie's signatures), but will not appear on the ballot in the democratic primary. Sorry about the signs guys, that's playing dirty!

But the signs everyone's been noticing are those belonging to newcomer Delano Hunter. These are very nicely designed signs, that appear calculated to evoke an association with the Obama Hope poster.

Picture 9

Now compare.

Gimme Hope Obama, originally uploaded by screenpunk.

Both are nice posters. I have various issues with Delano Hunter, the biggest of which (beyond the fact that I think he very much lacks the relevant experience) is that his campaign gets funding from the National Organization for Marriage, which should probably just change its name to the National Organization Against Gay Marriage. Not my favorite group, and I'll never support a candidate who takes their money.

And the final item of interest is the Harry Thomas Meet and Greet that I mentioned before. 6-8pm tomorrow night at Conner Contemporary (1358 Florida Ave). Sponsored by: SugarCapital City DinerSticky Fingers Bakery(the owner lives in Trinidad), and Jimmy Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club.

You could probably catch some of the candidates at tonight's National Night Out celebration at Trinidad Rec (1310 Childress Street) 6-9pm.

12 comments:

Geoff said...

Poorly designed poster, looks like it says "Vote NO" which may work quite well!

inked said...

Wow, it does sort of look like that.

Anonymous said...

hahahahaha. VOTE NO.

IMGoph said...

hunter's people have been stapling his signs to trees, which is a huge no-no.

when contacted, he said it was overzealous volunteers, and he said he would get them removed.

elizqueenmama said...

I have had both Kenyan McDuffie and Fenty signs stolen from my yard in Eckington.

I hate dirty elections. Ugh.

Anonymous said...

This cutting down signs thing is not new, I recal when Hunter's signs were tore down in the winter and that was before McDufie, Henderson, Tim Day or anyone else was in the picture so think who else would have might tore down those signs?? I believe these signs are wonderful! I have never seen anything like this!!! I support Gay marriage but I also understand Hunter when he says, there should have been a city wide vote on this. I believe out of all the candidates Hunter is great, I like McDuffie as well, Hunter suprises me how he is the only candidate concerned about HIV, Vocational Schooling, and the crime rate which are key problems in our ward. Especially crime! But the Gang Intervention money has disappeared under our current leadership, so that's a problem. I believe Hunter is experienced enough for the job, you can sign legislation all day, BUT is that helping OUR communities is the question???? TIGHT RACE, it will be.....

inked said...

10:09,
I too think that McDuffie is a very highly qualified candidate, and a basically cool dude. I don't always agree with Thomas, but I'll probably vote for Thomas because I think he has done a decent job, and until the polls show otherwise, his main competitor is Delano Hunter.

I recall reading some early Hunter literature and thinking it sounded like he was race baiting. Hunter seems like a smart, and well intentioned guy, but like I said, I don't think he is qualified, and I can't get down with the whole I'm financed by hatemongers thing. That right there is a deal killer for me because it shows poor judgement.

Similarly, I don't know what to do with the Chair election. Orange was anti-gay when he ran for Mayor. Now he's apparently fine with it(!). Kwame Brown can't even manage his home budget. What to do?

tarisdaddy said...

I don't think dude is ripping off the iconic Obama poster. They both just have a lump on top of their heads, from that angle.

Who is this bone head anyway? And Dee Hunter couldn't unseat Jim Gray in ward one so he's moved to ward five where i guess he suspects the incumbent is vulnerable.

Incredible, the City Council is the biggest DC government gravy train going! No wonder these so called public servants are calmering for the job.

IMGoph said...

tarisdaddy: first of all, it's jim graham, not jim gray.

secondly, this is not the same person. dee hunter and delano hunter are not the same guy.

tarisdaddy said...

Opps, guess I'm the bone head here. Glad to know Dee Hunter is still in Ward 1. Blame it on the Chardonnay.

Tom A. said...

For some reaason my reaction to the poster is that it reminds me of the campaign poster for senator Senator Palantine in Taxi Driver. It was also kinda creepy. Try as I might I wasn't able to find it on the interwebs.

OckoM said...

I think Hunter's signs are excellent. I particularly love the fact that he didn't go in the same, tired, generic, uninspired direction that most local politicians do when it comes to campaign visuals. Says a lot about him and his vision, imo. Props to him on that.

When it comes to experience, I think the guy has what it takes to run this ward. Period. The incumbent (Thomas) likes to boast about his years of experience, but what is that really? Misappropriating funds, ignoring key issues affecting our Ward year after year (namely, the HIV/AIDS crisis), ignoring constituent concerns/issues and neighborhoods until elections roll around, relying on the good name of his father (RIP)? Come on.