Gray: Obama Likes D.C.
Almost Mayor Vince Gray told reporters gathered on a driveway outside the West Wing today that President Barack Obama is down with D.C. and wants to be more involved with his new(ish) home town.
"The president really wants to work closely with our city," said Gray, after having a lunch meeting with the prez. "He indicated to me, he said, 'I want to do more in the city,' he said, 'I want to do more for the city.'"
Gray said he and Obama talked about the District's education reform efforts (the president supports 'em) and ways to make sure the new Department of Homeland Security HQ in Ward 8 doesn't become some high security fortress that's completely seperate from the residents who live nearby (the president also supports that idea).
As expected, WTOP's Mark Plotkin asked Gray whether he'd begged Obama to add a "No Taxation Without Representation" license place to the presidential limo. Gray said he brought the license plate issue up, but Obama didn't give a firm answer either way. The president also expressed his "unequivocal" support for District voting rights, Gray said.
Overall, Gray said the meeting went better than expected, and more meetings between Obama's staff and city staff are to come.
5:05 pm
A damn license plate want put nobody back to work. We need to tap into jobs in the federal government and work with contractors doing business with the federal government. Let's get serious folks.
5:22 pm
LL –
It’s oaky to want a cool vibe associated with your column: “Mayor-elect meets with the Prez." However, let your use of quotes be accurate. Both individuals are too well spoken to speak in the manner in which you insidiously portrayed them. It is demeaning in the same manner as these current Popeye’s Chicken advertisements with a modern day mammy. Seizing upon political gaffes is fair game. I rush to assure you, however, characterizing the President of the United States as some kind of “huckster” is not at all acceptable. This is not a plea.
7:05 pm
Where's Obama? After all, Gray's press conference was in Obama's driveway and Gray was talking about Obama's supposed desire to show his love for "one city".
My guess is Gray set this up thinking Obama would appear by his side after their meeting. Looks kinda lame Gray standing alone in front of cameras.