Fenty and Barry!

 

You can bet that the Adrian Fenty campaign people have been on the phones with Marion Barry this morning trying to figure out what Barry must have been thinking late Tuesday when he issued a press release without warning declaring that Barry was “joining” the Fenty Campaign. The email came across my desk during the Six O’clock news after we aired our story, with Linda Cropp reaction, about the Washington Post finally endorsing Fenty for Mayor. We knew Marion Barry also wanted to publicly endorse Fenty before the contest with Linda Cropp was decided; but I’m sure someone of influence close to Fenty had to advise him to wait until after the Post signed on so as not to alienate the white voters who were already with Fenty or leaning his way! Barry could hardly wait! Without so much as a warning call to the candidate, Barry released a statement from his office declaring his support while also announcing that he and Fenty would be making several campaign appearances today (Wednesday) at a senior citizens complex and throughout Barry’s ward eight. Last night Fenty’s ward four team gathered at the home of Robert Malson where the 35 year old front runner told me he had no plans to campaign with Barry. The first he heard of Barry’s endorsement or the planned joint appearances was when a reporter asked him about it late Tuesday. Fenty pulled up a standard campaign line when asked about getting Barry’s public support. He said he welcomes all endorsements. Stay tuned. If I know Marion Barry, he won’t be ignored and he certainly won’t give up in his efforts for a joint appearance with Fenty to reaffirm that he is still a major player in local politics.