By Paul Schwartzman and William Wan
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, July 5, 2006; B01
Out of the swarm of clowns, bagpipers, fire trucks and politicians, D.C. mayoral candidate Vincent B. Orange Sr. still managed to stand out before the crowd lining yesterday's Fourth of July parade in Northwest Washington.
The orange bracelets he handed out helped. So did the softball-sized oranges, reinforced with the candidate's never-subtle exhortation that "Oranges are good for you -- Vitamin C."
But what set council member Orange (D-Ward 5) apart from his four opponents in the race to succeed Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) was his mode of transportation: a whirring, two-wheeled Segway, on which he said he practiced to ensure he could travel the mile-long parade route in the Palisades neighborhood.
"Mr. Orange, don't fall off that thing!" a supporter shouted as the candidate set off with a wave, a big grin on his sweaty face.
The Fourth of July is a day of rituals that invariably includes grilled hot dogs, a brilliantly lit fireworks display and a raucous, rollicking parade. But when election season comes around, another staple is added -- clusters of marching, glad-handing and sloganeering politicians.
From the District to Montgomery County to Baltimore, candidates seeking local council seats, U.S. Senate spots or other top offices in the District and Maryland spent the holiday descending on voters with pamphlets, unflinching smiles and firm handshakes.
In the Democratic neighborhood of Dundalk, Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), wearing a flag-patterned polo shirt, heard scattered shouts of "Four More Years!" as he walked with Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, who is running for Senate. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, Ehrlich's Democratic rival, was greeted by cheers from supporters in lawn chairs along the route.
In Montgomery County, the crown jewel in most candidates' busy Fourth of July itineraries was the Takoma Park celebration -- a 117-year-old rite bringing out thousands of people. Two hours before the parade, campaign workers were showering passersby with literature, yard signs and stickers.
"I almost feel sorry for how we're co-opting Takoma Park's parade," said Hugh Bailey, a county council candidate, holding several large red signs emblazoned with his own name. "But this is the best chance to spread the word about yourself."
Standing in the shade, Leslie Kent had collected an armful of campaign brochures and stickers. "After awhile, it gets tough to tell the difference between everyone," she said while fanning herself with signs handed out by volunteers for County Executive candidate Isiah Leggett (D) and State Del. Sheila E. Hixson (D-Montgomery).
In Palisades, organizers said the parade lasted 30 minutes longer than scheduled because of an unprecedented candidate turnout -- a gaggle that included the five Democrats seeking the mayor's seat, many if not all of the 10 vying in the Ward 3 Council race, the three running for Council chair and two hoping to capture the at-large Council seat.
Oh, and there was Faith, the perennial mayoral wannabee, who rode on a horse, her hair framed by an American flag, her ever-present trumpet at the ready.
"It was unbelievable," Spence Spencer, president of the Palisades Citizens Association, said of the turnout. "It was the place to see and be seen."
Not everyone was raving about the Democratic process.
"Pathetic, isn't it?" Grant Berning, dressed as Uncle Sam, complete with the white beard and wig, said of the candidates. He acknowledged that his view was the result of growing up the son of an Illinois state senator who spent too many hours at parades and rubber chicken dinners.
"But I do believe in America," Berning said, smiling, before marching off to join the parade.
For the candidates, the challenge was to stand out in the crowd, a mission often accomplished by tossing any and all manner of token gifts.
Linda W. Cropp, the council chair running for mayor, handed out candy, bottles of bubbles and campaign stickers. Michael A. Brown, another candidate, gave out M&M's with his name attached. Bill Rice, running for the council, distributed Rice Krispies treats with a reminder to vote for him on the back.
Sometimes the gift registered the wrong impression, as was the case when Vincent C. Gray (D), the council member from Ward 7 running for Council chair, gave out chocolate kisses that surely melted in the furnace-like heat.
"We wondered about his judgment," said Jonathan Dana, a Mount Pleasant lawyer, standing with his wife as the candidates passed. Dana said he enjoyed seeing them because "you see the person, you see what they're like."
The crowd had plenty of opportunity to take the measure of D.C. Councilman Adrian M. Fenty (D-Ward 4) running for mayor. While his opponents waited at the start of the parade route, Fenty began at the other end, walking and shaking hands until he reached almost the beginning. He then turned on his heel and repeated the route.
"Happy July 4, again ," Fenty called out to a cluster of voters he'd already seen. His face and shirt were bathed in sweat, but his smile suggested that he had no plans to sit down any time soon.
Staff writer John Wagner contributed to this report.