Fenty Opens Another Obama Office

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty opened a D.C. campaign office for Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) last week, rallying about 200 Obama supporters near Eighth Street and Florida Avenue NW.

The office is in a three-story townhouse. A mural of Obama painted by a volunteer hangs on the outside walls. Fenty knows the block well: He directed his mayoral campaign in a townhouse two doors away. (It's now a hair salon.) In fact, the Fenty administration recommended the area to Obama, the mayor said.

"It's very centrally located," Fenty said. "So many different streets are right by here."

Fenty (D) had helped celebrate the opening of an Obama office on Pennsylvania Avenue SE during the primary, but it was closed after the primary. The new office is being run by John Bowman, former chief of staff to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who told the Notebook that he asked the Obama campaign for a chance to help in the District.

Bowman told the crowd of supporters that the office will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and at 11 a.m. weekends. The office is seeking volunteers to staff phone banks and do data entry. The focus will be on Virginia, which is a potential swing state, Bowman said. He, Fenty and council members Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) urged the crowd to go to Virginia and help knock on doors.

"I love knocking on doors! I love making phone calls! I even love fundraising!" Bowser cheered.

Bowman said the campaign office will have buttons, bumper stickers and yard signs, although the office will request a "small donation" from those seeking Obama gear.

Fenty has been hitting the road again to stump for Obama, as he did during the primary. The mayor was in the Cleveland area last weekend to speak at several canvassing kickoffs and to stop by his alma mater, Oberlin College.

It's not known what other states Fenty will travel to for Obama. The mayor said that it's up to the campaign to tell him where to go but that he expects to be on the road several more times before Nov. 4.

The Large At-Large Race

Speaking of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's political boostering, is he endorsing anyone in the competitive at-large race for the D.C. Council?

No, spokeswoman Mafara Hobson said.

Fenty also did not endorse anyone in the special election for the Ward 7 council seat last year, when newcomer Victor Vandell draped his campaign in Fenty green. The association helped cause more friction between Fenty and council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) because Gray said he thought the mayor had reneged on a gentlemen's agreement to stay out of the race. Gray left his Ward 7 seat to take the chairman post.