WP Endorsement: Vincent Gray For D.C. Council Chairman

[Skinner]

For D.C. Council Chairman
Vincent Gray has the vision and leadership qualities to forge an effective council.

Saturday, September 2, 2006; Page A28

THE ROLE OF D.C. Council chairman has experienced uneven but steady growth in importance since the inception of home rule. Most notably, under the stewardship of the city's first elected council chairman, Sterling Tucker, the late John Wilson and current chairman Linda W. Cropp, the council has taken major strides toward becoming an effective, equal branch of the District government.

In January, the city will inaugurate a new mayor and welcome three new ward members and a new chairman to the council. The city needs a top legislator capable of leading the council and providing keen oversight of the executive branch. Voters in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary have a choice between two excellent candidates for council chairman: Ward 3 council member Kathy Patterson and Ward 7 council member Vincent C. Gray. Both have a deep understanding of the city and its diverse population; both can point to many accomplishments in public service. But we believe Vincent Gray is better suited to forge a consensus from among competing interests, provide direction to the council and work with a new mayor to continue moving the city forward.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/01/AR2006090101423.html