Washington D.C. mayor just might be one of the nation's worst

Could the worst mayor in America live right in the heart of the nation's capital?

That's what some people are charging in Washington D.C., where Mayor Vincent Gray's administration is under fire for a variety of self-inflicted scandals. Mayor Gray was elected in 2010 over a young rising star in the Democratic Party with promises of "character, integrity, and leadership."

Here's what those words have brought the city:

Just this week, Gray's friend pleaded guilty to helping conceal $650,000 in campaign funds for a shadow campaign to support Gray's election.
Half of the D.C. City Council has been under investigation at some point by either city or federal officials
Two council members have already been pressured into resigning, and two more have served prison time.

Other council members are calling on Gray to resign. Should Washington have seen this coming? John Avlon has more.

Filed under: Corruption • Politics

soundoff (11 Responses)

Dan

DC has been relentlessly pushing for statehood. They are not making a good case for it with the caliber of the politicians that they currently elect. The most exclusive club (the US Senate) is not going to open up their memebership to the likes of DC politicians...

July 16, 2012 at 12:57 pm | Reply
dan

of course the DC mayor is corrupt – its DC!

July 16, 2012 at 12:56 pm | Reply
Charles Gannon

I care why ?

July 16, 2012 at 10:11 am | Reply
HenryMiller

Not to mention the complete contempt the DC government has for both the Second Amendment and the Supreme Court. The only reaction of DC government to the Heller decision was to try to find a way to evade the intent of it.

July 15, 2012 at 4:02 pm | Reply
asdf

Its stupid and should be but cities that are majority black tend to have the worst governance and be some of the worst cities in American by any measure (Newark, Oakland, Richmond VA, etc).

July 13, 2012 at 2:20 pm | Reply
- asdf
  
  shouldn't be that is
  
  July 13, 2012 at 2:20 pm | Reply
- wayne-o
  
  you left out my hometown Detroit MI.
  
  I think the incompetence and criminal activity committed by our elected officials trumps DC.
  
  July 14, 2012 at 12:46 pm | Reply
charles

Now you see why democrats push for more government.

July 13, 2012 at 1:58 pm | Reply
Satalink

DC has a history of electing the nations worst mayors into office.

Remember Marion Barry?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Barry

July 13, 2012 at 11:37 am | Reply
- Balls McGhee
  
  Mayor Adrian Fenty was the best mayor the city could ask for. he was a real democrat who demanded we work both the strenght of the private and public sector to create a progressive city. apparently you make too much progress and the locals get upset. then they do this...Fenty needs to run again because the city already misses him and his great work.
  
  July 14, 2012 at 12:42 am | Reply
Rebecca

"Should Washington have seen this coming?"
Two words:
Marion Barry

July 13, 2012 at 11:12 am | Reply