D.C., Maryland and Virginia Politics

WTOP political commentator Mark Plotkin was online Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss local politics.

The transcript follows.

Plotkin joined WTOP after 10 years as a political analyst for WAMU radio. He has been active in D.C. and national politics since attending George Washington University in the late '60s.

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Bull Pen at the Wilson Building: Fenty borrowed this configuration idea from the Chancellor in NYC. For all his zeal, Fenty is starting to scare me. Effective government is providing services efficiently and cost effectively to start. However, there are things such as culture shock and transition periods that need to be realized. I worked in D.C. government for five years. The bureaucracy is stifling, and employee attitudes are not much different. The systems are antiquated, data is not readily available and at times [un]reliable. The Post has covered the IT implementation failures of D.C. government. I can see Fenty jumping on some obvious issues like cleaning streets and playgrounds. However, for issues that need to be thought out and vetted through the review of data and trends analyses, he is going to hit a brick wall with this apparent pace he is going. The info is not there. Trust me there is a reason why D.C. government always seems to make the wrong decision early, or comes to regret decisions. I saw it as an analyst and was terrified when I was to be accountable for the bad data as a manager. My fear is with this aggressive pace he is portraying, all the decisions will be arbitrary or lacking solid supporting info. Thoughts?

Mark Plotkin: I think the Bull Pen idea is terrific. It demonstrates the mayor-elect's openness and accessibility. It puts him in touch with the people around him. He acts instantly and instinctively and I think that is a great departure from his predecessor. He's tough on his employees and holds himself to a high standard. That's great. I don't think he's arbitrary and I think he'll hire good people. I talked to him at length right after the election and I said something like "aren't you tired? " and he said, "no I love this," and to quote Mayor Bloomberg of New York, who after meeting and talking with him, said "He thinks everything is possible." That's a superb philosophy of governing.

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Tenleytown, Washington, D.C.: Mark: Tonight Adrian Fenty sponsors a town hall meeting in Ward 3. I am deciding whether or not to go. The Williams administration, especially the Office of Planning, made a great show of such meetings which were stage-managed to such a point by professional facilitators that participants were given a choice only to vote between one of several options to each question, which were often variations on the same vague theme, e.g., having increased development in D.C. would be a.) good; b.) great; c.) excellent. If there were other options or answers participants wanted to discuss, forget about it. No nuanced answers accepted. Can I expect more of the same or does Fenty really want substantive feedback from participants?

Mark Plotkin: You should definitely go and I would go if I didn't have a GW basketball game. Fenty enjoys these sessions and actually listens to people and takes their suggestions. His lack of insecurity about being told or given ideas about things he does not know about, is his greatest trait. So, go ahead - don't hold back and say what you have to say. He remembers what people say and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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Washington, D.C.: Hey Mark,

Did you see Sunday's episode of "The Wire"? Maybe now we know what Bob Ehrlich is going to do starting January.

Mark Plotkin: Yes, Ehrlich could find work in this line. It wouldn't be the first time a politician became an actor.

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Washington, D.C.: Let's get down to the nitty gritty: Do you think that D..C will get voting rights with this Congress?

Mark Plotkin: Ready for a long answer? I have serious doubts that the Republican Party will have the good sense to seize this issue and make it their own. Tom Davis has gone to the Republican leadership and told them the following - "Do you want to continue to be the party of only white, rural males, or do you want to expand?" It's up to John Boehner, the present majority leader, to listen to Davis and call for a vote. If it should get through the House, it's up to Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, Utah's two senators, to go to their leadership and say they want this to happen in this lame duck session. I have heard that the White House is working against the bill, saying it's unconstitutional. If it shouldn't pass in this lame duck, then the Democratic leadership, Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn have to make sure this moves in the very first two months of next year. There can be no delay. There are no excuses for Eleanor Holmes Norton. She must push this and push it all the time. She's gotten away with delay before - this cannot be allowed. I know Mayor Fenty is going to push, Norton better do the same.

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The Bowels of the Wilson Building: When is Gray going to publicly reveal who gets what committee? Inquiring minds want to know.

Mark Plotkin: I'd like to know too and thanks for the idea. I'm going to call him and ask him. I know Barry will not be the chair of the Education Committee. That you can bank on.

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Washington, D.C.: Will you miss Steve Trachtenberg? Any indication whether his Hopkins replacement will continue to bulldoze what used to be the Foggy Bottom residential neighborhoods?

Mark Plotkin: I know this is a minority opinion, but I am very fond of Steve Tractenberg. As one present student said, "he makes me laugh." When's the last time anybody said that about a university president? And also to disclose a personal note, he asked me to address the incoming freshman class of 2004, which was the 40th anniversary of coming to GW. That was very special to me and I am always grateful for that honor. He also is a constant note writer to alumni and that shows a personal touch which is, I think, important and says a lot about who he is. I know there are problems with the neighborhood and that's always going to occur when a university is in the middle of a city. The personal style of the new incoming president seems to be far different than Tractenberg's, but I thought Steve very graciously said that could be an advantage.

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Metro Center: If Barry gets Judiciary Committee chair, is that a sign of the coming Apocalypse?

Mark Plotkin: He's not going to get judiciary either. He's going to get something because Gray has said that everybody will get a chairmanship. Since you mention judiciary, I would like Mendelson to show some signs of life and move and advocate for the local selection of judges and a local prosecuting attorney. I don't know if he's up to making something like this happen, but it should be one of his self-imposed responsibilities. On this issue, he's invisible.

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Re: Voting Rights Bill: What if the bill passes Congress early next year and Bush vetoes? I doubt there are enough votes to override the veto. Will that be the death knell for D.C. voting rights?

Mark Plotkin: Tom Davis has said that there is no way the President will veto this bill. I'm not so sure. As he's been described, he's "famously stubborn." In some ways, it would be helpful for him to veto it. How do you justify democracy in Baghdad but not in D.C.? I'd love to see him make this argument.

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Arlington, Va.: I was at the Verizon Center on Sunday watching the Colonials and, even though Lefty and Tom McMillen were one section over, all I noticed was Shields, Novak, and Al Hunt. So where was Plotkin?

Mark Plotkin: All those guys you mentioned had floor seats. I was sitting in section 120, row L, seat 10 and I took five of my buddies. I've never missed a tournament or a game, and I'm so glad you brought the BB&T up, because Georgetown University once again did not participate. That's 12 straight years. They think they're better than everybody else and our crack investigative reporter Mark Seagraves is going to be doing a story, or stories, on how they don't want to be civically engaged and are depriving the children's charities of millions of dollars. The Thompsons, the coach and his 450 thousand-dollar-a-year father (that's what he gets paid by Georgetown University as the supposed director of Urban Affairs)are intent on arrogantly ignoring the city and its least-fortunate residents. Mike Wise, the sports columnist for the Post, on Monday got it just right. Call Pete Telly who will tell you about the unreturned phone calls from Thompson. We at WTOP are going to do this story. This behavior has gone on far too long without public scrutiny.

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Washington, D.C.: There's no way this Congress will pass voting rights for D.C. You heard it here first, and if they do, Mark, I'll buy you lunch anywhere in the city you want. Why should they? Utah will soon enough have plenty of people to qualify for its own extra representative, and anyway, I can't believe the "Republican base" wants this to happen. The Republicans just got whacked at the polls; what's in it for them? Who outside DC knows or cares that D.C. doesn't get to vote?

I'll take anyone an even bet that it won't (will) happen in the next Congress, and that's way better odds than I'd have given even 6 months ago.

Mark Plotkin: My phone number is 202-895-5281. My favorite restaurant is I Ricchi and I'd be glad to be your guest upon the President's signature. I agree it won't happen in a Republican Congress, but believe me, it better happen in a Democratic Congress. I'll do everything I can to make that happen.

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Re: Mendelson: I live a few buildings down from Phil. The first (and only!) time I have ever seen him in the neighborhood was on primary day when he and his cute daughter were at Precinct 29 greeting early morning voters. Does he have the Harry Potter invisibility cloak?

Mark Plotkin: That's a great line. To call Phil unassuming is an understatement, but you can't take it away from him, he won all 8 wards but then again he was running against Scott Bolden.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Speaking of the local prosecutor issue, what do you think of Judge Lamberth's tirade last month against the Attorney General's office -- to the effect that they can't do the job they have now, how could they take on the prosecutorial role?

Mark Plotkin: Look, good deportment and good behavior is not a condition for local autonomy and responsibility. That's one judge's view and even if it's the view of every judge, it shouldn't be a criteria for not allowing D.C. to control its own local criminal justice system.

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Go Colonials!: G'Town will simply never play any DC area teams for fear of losing. It's a pathetic excuse, but the truth. If they lost to GW or the Twerps or (heaven forbid!) American, they would be devastated and have to seek counseling.

Mark Plotkin: You are absolutely right! Georgetown are a bunch of cowards. They're overrated in every way. But seriously, the administration of the university needs to be exposed for their arrogant and anti-city ways. I'm not going to let up on this. They've gotten away with this for far too long and there are plenty of alumni of that university who, if they were told of their role, would be embarrassed and would demand they become part of this city. They're not participating in the city-wide tournament just speaks volumes about who they are.

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Kennedy Center Honors: Did you hobnob with the beautiful people last weekend?

Mark Plotkin: Never invited - in any shape or form. I was at the Kennedy Center this morning for Johnny Apple's memorial service. It was terrific. There were some great lines. The best speaker by far was Calvin Trillin. John McCain was also very good, and a letter was read by author Ward Just that was excellent. Todd Purdum was the Master of Ceremonies and opened up with a very classy tribute. Afterwards, everybody gorged themselves on terrific food donated by area chefs including my favorite, Jose Andres. This was not by invitation. Anybody could go. I interviewed Apple on the Politics Program on Washington Post Radio last spring and I had a great time doing it. You should run out and read Apple's America. His description of Chicago and Washington is absolutely perfect. He loved food, politics, and all of life. He was a fabulous writer. I was in Helsinki this summer and took his suggestion for one restaurant and it was the best meal I ever had. As one speaker said, "he was curious about everything and he used all his senses." Another said, "he was the complete journalist and everything was his grist." His stepdaughter said fondly and affectionately that he got "jazzed up on things." Calvin Trillin used the three great expressions that Apple swept in, held forth and was in full Apple. It was truly a memorable morning for somebody who had been in 109 countries and attended 20 national political conventions.

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Free Meal Offer: How can I get in on that bet? I want a nice meal at Smith & Wollensky.

Mark Plotkin: Call me. I'll honor my bet, but you have to wait until next year when the Democratic Congress does the right thing.

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Washington, DC: Do you know what role Sinclair Skinner will play in the Fenty administration?

Mark Plotkin: I know Mark Seagraves will stay on this. Why don't you call him at 997-1576. He loves to hear from people.

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Capitol Hill: If DC does get voting rights in the House, who becomes its House member? Norton? If so, then why did we vote for a shadow representative (assuming, of course, that most people did cast a ballot in that race)?

Mark Plotkin: I think if there is a real vote, someone of local or even national prominence would run against Norton. Maybe that's what she is worried about.

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Odds Central: Which is more likely to happen:

1. G'Town announces it will play next year's BB&T;

2. Phil Mendelson likes interacting with the public;

3. DC gets Senate representation

Mark Plotkin: Number 3.

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Downtown D.C.: Which of the newest Council members should we keep a lookout for? Any rising stars among the newest class?

Mark Plotkin: I think Tommy Wells has good instincts and surely cares about the schools. Harry Thomas is an unknown for now. Hope he has his father's humanity and his mother's sweetness. Mary Cheh is definitely smart - let's see if she carves out a role for herself.

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RE: Georgetown & BB&T: Mark, you're going about this all wrong. You need to get Ted Leonsis on board with this. Here's the logic: Ted is a G-town grad, an owner of the Verizon Center (where G-town basketball is a tenant) and a all around good citizen. How do you get Ted on board is simple: You shoot him an email, where he always responds. With that strategy, coupled with the world seeing this chat session, you can't fail! Please tell us about your email exchange during next week's chat.

Mark Plotkin: Ok. I'll take your suggestion. It's a good one and I'll report back what he has to say.

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D.C.: Mark--Where can I buy a Christmas tree in the District?

Mark Plotkin: I don't buy Christmas trees. As Jackie Mason would say, "it's not my field." But I know there is a place at Wisconsin Ave., above Georgetown that you can get one, or just keep on driving up Wisconsin Ave. I think it's Wisconsin and Fulton.

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Kensington, Md.: With O'Malley entering the governor's mansion, his handling of transportation and environmental policies will be crucial to the success or failure of his administration.

It would be a smart move for O'Malley to go on the road to hold transportation town hall meetings around the state to discuss the wisdom of building the proposed ICC vs. the more sustainable and affordable transportation solutions. A growing number of citizens see the proposed ICC as a fool's errand.

A growing number of citizens -- the majority in Montgomery County, according to some polls -- are raising serious questions, objections and lawsuits to the proposed InterCounty Connector (ICC). Citizens statewide balk at the $3-4 Billion ICC price tag, while advocates for the Chesapeake Bay are concerned that the proposed ICC will kill sensitive headwater streams.

Montgomery citizens are concerned about the high cost of using the proposed 18 mile highway -- estimated at $4 each way, and they are concerned because the proposed ICC doesn't promise to decrease traffic. In fact, it may actually INCREASE traffic, especially on New Hampshire, Colesville and Georgia Avenues.

It would be a smart move for O'Malley to go on the road to hold transportation town hall meetings around the state to discuss the wisdom of building the proposed ICC vs the more sustainable and affordable transportation solutions. A growing number of citizens see the proposed ICC as a fool's errand.

Your thoughts?

Mark Plotkin: Transportation was not really that big an issue in the campaign. I know O'Malley wants to stay close to Mo. Co. since it provided so much of his margin.

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Bull Pen rebuttal: what you said for Fenty is a reason I like him. please don't get that from me. I don't want to be a defeatist, but my point is there are many obstacles and hidden challenges in DC government that zeal and energy cannot resolve alone. To borrow from the Wire, the $50M school deficit.

Mark Plotkin: That's true, but at least this guy will stay in the city, has loads of energy and is into the details- something his predecessor sorely lacked. Williams can't even get his phone calls returned now. His last year has been an absolute waste of time. Don't underestimate Fenty's personality - it got him elected. Big. All 142 precincts. He starts with an enormous amount of political capitol.

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Richmond, Va.: Are you surprised that columnists are still scolding Jim Webb for his remarks to Pres. Bush? The latest is Richard Cohen in today's Washington Post. Most people seem to be "torn" -- understanding the sentiment, decrying the words, and always framing it in social terms (rude, lack of respect for the presidency, etc.). I am struck that the larger blame is for social blunder vs. the military blunder. Can you explain that?

washingtonpost.com: How's Your War? ( Post, Dec. 5)

Mark Plotkin: I completely understand what Jim Webb did. The President, it seemed to me, was out of line by admonishing Webb for his statement. The President is a human being and he does not have the right to attempt to insult somebody. Webb was reacting like a father and defending that prerogative. They were having an exchange just like any two mortals and it was honest, frank and personal. Webb has nothing to be ashamed of and the President rejoinder ("I didn't ask you that") was antagonistic and unfriendly and challenging. Webb took up the challenge. This has nothing to do with lack of respect to the office.

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Deanwood: Mark do you remember when the Democrats gave DC voting in the "Committee of the Whole" in the House and as soon as the Republicans took over they eliminated the right? Why is this different with the proposals now floating around? And are the proposals constitutionally (i.e. Roberts Court) sound?

Mark Plotkin: The best line about the vote of the committee in the whole was Fenty's - "you mean the vote that doesn't count?" Norton was going to try to get away with that until we caught her.

See you next week - same time, same place.

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