| Page 2 of 2 < |
Williams's Support Hits Lowest Point in His Tenure as Mayor
In an interview, Williams accepted the criticism with his usual equanimity. He said some erosion of support should be expected after seven years of hard decisions, such as closing D.C. General, the city's only public hospital; pushing to take over the school system; supporting a Republican plan to give private school vouchers to public school students; and building an expensive new ballpark to lure a baseball team.
Williams said he has few regrets.
  Mayor Anthony A. Williams says that despite low numbers, he is proud of the decisions he has made. (Marvin Joseph/twp - The Washington Post) |
"You know what, folks? I didn't come in here to sit at [a] 78 percent [approval rating]. If this is caused by some strategic decisions I've made, then I'm proud of it.
"The next mayor is going to be in a great position because the next mayor doesn't have to go through a D.C. General decision like I did. A lot of the heavy lifting has been done," he said.
Williams reiterated his vow to become a D.C. homeowner when he leaves office and promised to stay in the District, "helping kids and saving the Anacostia" River.
"History, over time, will actually judge me very well," he said.
Assistant polling director Claudia Deane contributed to this report.
