Mayoral race heats up in D.C.

WASHINGTON - D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty realizes his disconnect with residents could cost him the job he was as elected to four years ago, he said during a Sept. I Newseum debate against contender Vincent Gray.

Fenty, elected with 89 percent of the general election vote on the promise of vastly improving the District's delivery of public services and programs, asked voters for another chance

In what came across as an earnest, last-minute plea, the results-oriented Fenty said during the debate that his original goal was to improve the city's troubled education system and forge better communities while making residents feel safer.

"I never imagined one day there would be people who would feel I was trying to run them out of D.C, or who would think I was arrogant or who would think I cared more about some neighborhoods than others," Fenty said "If you don't find it in your hearts to forgive me and give me a second chance, I will have no one to blame but myself."

Gray said he would work to undo the damage caused by Fenty 's approach to leadership and work to create new partnerships with the public and other local leaders.

"It is time we bring collaboration, integrity and sound management back to the mayor's office," Gray said.

Over the past three years Fenty has been accused of governing in an overly arrogant, distant and noninclusive way. However, he promised in the debate to do better and said the District's best days are yet to come.

"If you believe that we can never go back to the dark days of the past, if you believe in all these things, then I ask you to believe in me again," Fenty said.

Even Fenty 's attorney wife, Michelle, who is rarely seen before the cameras, spoke out in his defense. Following the debate, she tearfully told reporters that the mayor is nothing like the aloof person the media has made him out to be.

"The reason he goes out there every single day, moving a thousand miles an hour (is) for the people of Washington, D.C. ... and for them to not understand that the whole point of his actions is for them, is very difficult," she said.

With the Sept 14 primary looming, a Washington Post poll taken prior to the debate found that Gray holds a solid lead over the incumbent mayor, claiming 53 percent of likely voters to Fenty 's 36 percent.

According to Gray's campaign manager, Traci Hughes, Fenty realizes he's behind in the polls and is acting out of desperation. Spedai ta the NNPA from ike Afro-American Newspaper