Cropp's Biggest Booster
When Linda Cropp has needed campaign advice, a morale boost or someone to accompany her into the proverbial Lion's Den -- for example, a recent meeting with reporters and editors at the Washington Post -- she has gone time and again to a friendly face: former U.S. deputy attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr.
Holder also has appeared with Cropp at a news conference at which she touted the new surveillance cameras that the D.C. Council authorized to help stop crime. And Cropp staffers have dropped his name in phone calls to voters.
Now, Holder has lent his voice to a new Cropp radio advertisement that she unveiled yesterday. The 60-second spot is simply titled "Holder" and its message is clear: One of the city's most respected local figures endorses the D.C. Council chairman. See the text of the ad by clicking on the link to "continue" below.
Why Holder? Cropp has been close to him for years and, in fact, waited until Holder decided not to run for mayor before officially announcing her candidacy. Holder is now an attorney at a high-powered firm and might have made an interesting candidate-- decent Q Rating, hefty resume and, yet, still an outsider who could tap into the anti-establishment vibe.
In addition to his time in the Clinton administration, Holder bolstered his local connections by heading an investigation into the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority after the lead-in-water crisis in 2004.
But the other day, after a series of verbal darts between Cropp and Adrian M. Fenty, Holder told me with a laugh that he was glad he hadn't entered the race.
HERE IS THE TEXT OF CROPP'S RADIO AD FEATURING HOLDER:
(Voice Over)
She gave up a job at GE to teach at Eastern High, sent her kids to public school, entered public service, and helped lead us back from bankruptcy. Linda Cropp.
(Eric Holder)
This is Eric Holder, former judge, United States Attorney for DC, and Deputy Attorney General under President Clinton.
Over the years, I've learned the best way to fight crime is to invest in our children. It takes families; it takes community - and it takes a mayor with a commitment to helping people in all neighborhoods.
That's Linda Cropp.
You don't give up a job in the private sector to teach public school for the fame or fortune. You don't do the hard work to help fix our city's finances for the publicity.
You do it for the city you love - for the people who live here. That's what sets Linda Cropp apart.
She's not flashy, but she has judgment and vision. Some say she's the safe choice - I say she's the best choice.
To me, Linda Cropp is the only candidate who's ready to be mayor.
(Linda Cropp)
Paid for by Citizens to Elect Linda Cropp Mayor.
By David Nakamura |
September 6, 2006; 6:09 PM ET
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Posted by: las100 | September 6, 2006 07:22 PM
I don't think Barry will influence the election the way the first commenter thinks. 1) Most Barry associates involved in this race are working for Cropp; 2) After the Post endorsement Monday, Barry's endorsement Tuesday looked as if he was just going with the winner; and 3) Barry will help Fenty in the areas of the city where Cropp's campaign staff are suggesting Fenty's not "black enough."
Posted by: SonyaSK | September 6, 2006 07:32 PM
Correction -- the Post endorsement was Tuesday morning; Barry endorsed late in the day.
Posted by: SonyaSK | September 6, 2006 07:33 PM
The race is far from over and I like the chances of the best candidate for DC Mayor, Marie C. Johns.
Posted by: latons | September 7, 2006 01:48 PM
It seems that certain comments about the Post's candidate of choice got removed from this Blog. The same were posted on another link to a story and also removed. The comments weren't vulgar or inflammatory, but a statement of fact (documented by BOEE transcript) about why this voter chooses to not vote for Fenty.
Posted by: logos | September 8, 2006 08:01 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
The biggest booster i've seen for Linda Cropp's campaign has been Marion Berry's endorsement of Fenty!