Monday, November 9, 2009

The intriguing candidacy of Leo Alexander

In August, former NBC4 television reporter Leo Alexander announced his candidacy for Mayor of the District of Columbia. At the time, Alexander's announcement received some press coverage, as he was the first to step in the ring against incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty (D). Over the past few months, however, Alexander's campaign has mostly been off the radar. With Fenty's office embroiled in multiple scandals--from the teacher firings to the parks and recreation contracts--now seemed a good time to look at the Mayor's only official challenger.

Leo Alexander is not a household name in D.C. politics. After leaving WRC-TV (NBC4), Alexander worked for D.C. General Hospital and the D.C. Housing Authority. Both of these positions were related to public affairs and communications. He has volunteered with political campaigns, but has not held public office.

Last Thursday I spoke with Mr. Alexander about his experience and his campaign. Prior to talking with the candidate, the only information I had about him came from news reports from August, and the brief biography on the campaign's web site. My initial perception of Alexander's campaign was mostly shaped by his comments on attracting Marion Barry supports and regarding curbing illegal immigration. There is more to Alexander's campaign, though, and in the current D.C. political climate his candidacy could prove appealing to many District voters.

Alexander, who lives in the Brightwood neighborhood in Ward 4, will tell you that he has no big name supporters. He insists that he came to the decision to run after attending ward and ANC meetings. His support comes from the grassroots level. He points to a recent endorsement by the D.C. Taxicab Association, and talks about an event held at the Diamond Cab company. Given the recent taxicab bribery scandal, that's not exactly the sort of endorsement you emblazon on campaign signs.

It's the ideas that make Alexander's campaign worth noting. Alexander approaches the current situation in D.C. without any sugarcoating. He is blunt. You will not hear him praise commercial development in Columbia Heights. Rather, you will hear about the ongoing social problems plaguing the District. You will also hear about how Fenty has failed his constituents and produced "the most corrupt administration in the city's history." 

Alexander believes that many problems in the city, from the extreme poverty in Ward 8 to unemployment and crime, can be traced back to the brutal crack epidemic in the 1980s. An entire generation grew up during a wave of crime and drug use unlike anything seen previously. Today, the children of the crack epidemic are raising their own kids. "It's not the teachers, and it's not the kids," says Alexander, "it's the homes they are coming from." The solution, or at least an attempt, is to employ an army of social workers. Responsibility must be taught, so the saying goes. He wants jobs training, but to teach skills and trades. "People want to work," Alexander says, but notes that just giving them a summer job and forgetting about them isn't working.

"No one wants to talk about it, but..." is a good way to sum up Leo Alexander. He talks about parental responsibility in the black community. He openly talks about illegal immigration. Not so much about the greater ideological issues, but that fighting illegal immigration costs the District $86 million each year. He wants to send that bill to the Federal government. Alexander personally doesn't support gay marriage, and politically he takes an even more interesting position. Civil unions for all, if it was up to Leo Alexander. "The government," says Alexander, "should not be in that [marriage] business."

When pressed as to how he can attract voters in Wards 2 and 3, Alexander recounts a conversation he had with a young man at 14th and U Streets, NW. "I know why I'd vote for you, Mr. Alexander," he recalls the youth saying, "but why would white people across the park vote for you?" His response is that everyone understands good government, and everyone understands crime. As long as you have violent criminals in the District, they will travel and commit crimes. Alexander recognizes, though, that this is a tale of two cities. Unemployment is at "depression-era highs" in Ward 8, which he calls a "state of emergency." It will be a high wire act to portray himself as the candidate for those without jobs or hope and still court voters who are concerned about artificial exfoliant beads harming marine wildlife.

Alexander wants a "bold vision" for the District. He wants to approach government with transparency, accountability, and compassion. He agrees that change is needed in DCPS, but doesn't agree with Rhee's slash and burn tactics. He wants to set lofty goals, and points to Jeff Canada's Children Zone program in Harlem. He wants to build a District government complex across from Children's hospital. He wants to escape the $140 million spent leasing office space from the developers who have built a system to stay wealthy for perpetuity without competition. This is certainly a bold vision for the District, and he's excellent at selling it to you. However, in politics, having thought-provoking ideas is never enough.

Currently, Alexander's campaign, like its web site is best described as "under construction." He hasn't generated much buzz, and isn't locking up many endorsements. Alexander's ideas are worth talking about, though. If he can get his message out, we may see some interesting debate in 2010. He says he understands the role the Internet will play in this campaign, but he has a long way to go with embracing social media. Also, without a legislative record, it's difficult to know how much his words will translate into action. He certainly faces an uphill battle, and one of the most difficult parts will be convincing people to be pro-Alexander, rather than simply anti-Fenty.

by Dave Stroup, filed under Decision 2010 at 7:00AM

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