By Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 27, 2005

D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams yesterday criticized one of the leading contenders for his job, declaring that D.C. Council member Adrian M. Fenty would "not be the best person to run this city."

Williams, who has not said whether he will seek a third term, said during an interview on WTOP radio that "one of the things that would get me running" is the prospect of publicly debating "someone like Councilman Fenty."

"I would relish that opportunity," the mayor said, "because I think there is more talk in ratio to less action than anybody I've ever seen."

After his radio appearance, Williams (D) told reporters that he is growing increasingly concerned about the quality of candidates lining up to replace him and that the weakness of the field is making the idea of retirement seem less appealing.

Fenty, a popular Ward 4 council member and one of the mayor's harshest critics, is of particular concern, Williams said, because he is "very, very skillful" politically and "very charismatic."

"Accomplishment and substance and political ability, they're not mutually exclusive. But they don't always come together in the same package," Williams said. "Someone can be a great candidate. They can be a nice person. But they may actually not be the best person to actually run this city."

Williams made his remarks days before Fenty (D) is expected to become the first official candidate in the 2006 mayor's race. After months of raising money, convening focus groups and polling likely voters in an exploratory capacity, Fenty has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday morning at his parents' home in Ward 4 to announce his intentions. He said yesterday "there's a high percentage chance that we're going to run."

Fenty dismissed Williams's comments as a predictable response to a growing political threat. He said that in just five months, he has raised about $300,000 for his exploratory committee and won the support of many community activists who once were loyal to Williams.

"Mayor Williams knows that if I decide to get in this race, it is going to be a serious challenge. He knows that we have a significant amount of support," Fenty said. "He is making these statements because we are a potential threat to his reelection. And in that context, you almost expect this type of response."

Fenty has held three fundraisers in recent days, including an event Wednesday night in Ward 6. There, he criticized the Williams administration as unaccountable and unresponsive to District residents. Asked on WTOP to respond to those remarks, Williams first offered a furious and passionate defense of his administration, saying "it's easy to talk about accountability. It's another thing to be held accountable, making and voting for something tough."

Williams then criticized Fenty, the second time he has lashed out at a member of a small group of potential candidates who have criticized his administration. In March, the mayor blasted former D.C. Democratic Party chairman A. Scott Bolden and lobbyist Michael A. Brown. He has been kinder to council member Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5), who also has an exploratory committee, and to council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), who may form one, according to an adviser. Meanwhile, the mayor has positively gushed over Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D), who has said she is considering a run for the city's top office.

Although Cropp threw a roadblock in Williams's efforts to bring baseball to the District, she is generally trusted by leaders in the business community, who also are among Williams's strongest supporters.

Williams yesterday told reporters: "I don't want to make this seem that I just wake up every morning with this deep antipathy to Adrian. Adrian has done a great job in many ways up in his ward."

But Williams said many of the things Fenty calls accomplishments have been the work of his administration.

"Adrian can't pick up any trash. He can't plow any streets. He can't pave any alleys. I'm doing all that, through the departments," Williams said. "And when someone is dissing my administration and what I've done in this city, I'm going to stand up for myself."