Davis Kennedy/Publisher & Editor
Chris Kate/Managing Editor

July 28, 2010—On the national level, many political observers are reviving the precept of the winning 1992 presidential campaign: "It's the economy, stupid." hi our minds, D.C. voters ought to adapt the axiom for local races, ensuring that their electoral choices recognize the precariousness of the District's finances and are committed to prudent fiscal policies.

In the at-large D.C. Council race, Democratic voters are fortunate to have two challengers with experience in District affairs running against three-term incumbent Phil Mendelson. Regrettably, however, neither Michael Brown nor Clark Ray seems sufficiently mindful of the need to maintain fiscal stability.

Michael Brown, one of the District's two elected shadow U.S. senators, expressed a continuous refrain in an extensive interview with The Current. When asked how the District can overcome the financial problems caused by the nationwide recession, he said the key is to convince Congress to grant us statehood.

Whatever one's position on D.C. statehood, it is unwise to rely on that prospect to address our near-term fiscal woes.

Clark Ray—who has an extensive resume in D.C. government, culminating in his tenure atop the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation—recalled cutting $550,000 in inefficient spending at the agency. His emphasis on attacking waste, fraud and abuse is commendable, but it is not a cure-all.

Given his wide experience, we were disappointed during our interview that Mr. Ray often failed to lay out reasonable solutions, even after explaining a problem's nature thoroughly and clearly. In this regard, we found Mr. Mendelson far superior. The incumbent was able to identify problems, spell out solutions, and recognize that some desirable policies must wait for better financial times.

Such concerns have helped shape the council member's dogged oversight efforts as chair of the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, such as his push to control overtime spending in the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.