Pro-Slots Group Is Sailing On

"David called me; we never finished our conversation," said Allen, who also said she is "praying on it" and will decide soon.

Cobb Dusts Himself Off

Ward 6 council hopeful Will Cobb probably has Aug. 30 highlighted on his calendar. That's the last day to file nominating petitions for the November ballot.

Cobb has waged a vigorous campaign for the council seat being vacating by Sharon Ambrose, knocking on doors and holding meet-and-greets. But he plumb forgot about the July 5 deadline to turn in signatures to qualify for a spot on the Sept. 12 Democratic ballot, leaving him clutching 560 suddenly useless John Hancocks.

Cobb tried to persuade the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics to give him a second chance, but the board held firm.

So last month, before a crowd of 40 gathered at New York Pizza on Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Cobb relaunched his campaign, this time as an independent. He said his misstep wound up being a rallying point rather than a disappointment to his supporters.

"It's just a great vehicle for getting our message out there," said Cobb, who hopes to face the winner of the Democratic primary as well as Republican contender Tony Williams (no, not that Tony Williams) on Nov. 7.

The extra months of campaigning will no doubt be helpful, as Cobb and his campaign volunteers need time to white-out "September 12" and "Democrat" from his campaign signs.

Call for Pendleton's Ouster

In other news about involuntary independents, shadow senator candidate Philip Pannell is calling on his chief rival, incumbent Florence Pendleton (D), to resign.

Pannell, you may recall, got Pendleton knocked off the Democratic ballot by challenging her nominating petitions. Pendleton needed 2,000 signatures, but only 1,559 turned out to be valid.

Pendleton responded by announcing a write-in campaign for the Democratic nomination. But should that fail, she also picked up petitions to run as an independent in November.

In an e-mail statement, Pannell charged this week that "since Senator Pendleton has left the Democratic Party, she should also leave her position."