License to Vote?

Presidential limousines under Presidents Obama (left) (AP) and Bush (right) (Getty Images)

Although many federal vehicles have U.S. Government plates, the presidential limousine has historically had a D.C. license plate. In the final months of the Clinton presidency, the president installed D.C.'s then-new "Taxation Without Representation" plates. A few months later, President Bush had them removed. Instead, President Bush kept DC plates on the limo, but opted to not include the slogan (a choice offered by the DMV - Councilmember Graham recently proposed requiring the motto on all DC plates rather than offering http://www.dc.gov/).

Many had high hopes that President Obama would place the Taxation Without Representation plates on the new presidential limo. The Hill reported that DC Vote and Shadow Senator Paul Strauss expected the move. All 13 DC Councilmembers sent a letter to the president elect asking him to do so. Mayor Fenty, noted for his close ties to the new president, along with Congresswoman Norton, opted not to impose on the new president, calling the license plate just a "symbol." Funny, that never stopped DC's almost voting delegate from pushing DC postage stamps, postmarks, quarters, a spot in statuary hall, etc., etc., but I digress.

Well, the big day came. I watched the limo drive by in the parade. Surprise! The new presidential limousine does not have the Taxation Without Representation tags. In fact, for the first time in memory, the mobile fortress does not have DC tags at all. Welcome the new, blue USA 1 plates.

What does this mean for DC's quest for voting rights? Probably nothing. But President Obama certainly chose not to make a statement on this issue on his first day in office. I hope he'll consider DC tags in the future as a resident of our great city.

But really, how much?

By now, everyone has heard or read an article about the astronomical prices at which DC area residents are offering their homes for rent during inauguration week. The going rate on Craig's List seems to be about $2,000 per night for a 2-bedroom condo in the city, but some are listed for substantially more. There's a bit of randomness to the amounts - with some places well outside DC charging just as much or more as similar homes or apartments in the downtown area.

I've read enough about what people are offering. I'm more interested in knowing -- is anyone actually paying these prices?

If you posted a listing on Craig's List or somewhere else - sound off. Is your e-mail box full and you are sorting through references? Or did your ad go into oblivion, vanishing silently into the depths of the internet?

School Choice: When it Comes to the President

In my last post, I speculated on whether the Obamas would send their kids, Malia, 10, and Saha, 7, to DC Public Schools, particularly given the next president's praise for school reform and charter schools in DC. Today, The Examiner includes an article speculating on where our soon-to-be neighbors would send their kids.

Well, it won't be Stevens Elementary, the only public school in recent history chosen by a president to send his child, Amy Carter. Stevens was one of the two schools closed in Ward 2 this term. It's a shame, since not only is Stevens just a few blocks from the White House at 21st & K Streets, sending the Obama children there would truly bring its history full circle. That's because Stevens was built in 1868 solely from public funds for the education of “colored” youths and, at its closure, was the only one still standing and operating in the United States. When it opened, Stevens was probably the only choice. Today, it could be a real choice, and for a president.

Since Amy Carter, every president has sent their children to one of the area's private schools. That is, every president except fictional President Matt Santos, who West West Wing writer and producer Eli Attie says was based on Obama. Will fact follow fiction, particularly Episode 152, in which the new president, after visiting two private schools, is pleasantly surprised and enrolls his kids in one of the better public schools?

The Examiner considers whether the Obamas might choose Francis Stevens Educational Center at 2425 N Street NW, which is the K-8 school created when what was left of Stevens (a primarily out-of-boundary school used by many who work in downtown DC) combined with Francis Junior High School. This Dupont Circle school is the "in boundary" school for the White House. Other speculation includes one of the District's public charter schools, such as Oyster-Adams (81% reading, 69% math), the bilingual program where Chancellor Michelle Rhee sends her own children. Otherwise, the new first family may be looking at some of the District's private schools.

The Obamas might also consider where the District's own elected public officials send their kids.

All are above average schools, but there's quite a range. At-large Councilmember Kwame Brown sends his two children, Lauren, 7, and Kwame II, 5, to Langdon Elementary School (69% reading, 75% math). At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson sends his 8-year old daughter, Addie, to Eaton Elementary (67% reading, 57% math). Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.'s children, Raye, 7, and Kai, 4, attend Bunker Hill Elementary (44% reading, 39% math). The District's abysmal average is 36% proficiency in reading and 31% proficiency in math in 2007.

Mayor Adrian Fenty's twin sons, Matthew and Andrew, 8, have attended a private elementary school since they were 2, although the Mayor pledged to move them into a public school during his campaign. Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans' triplets, 11, attend two private schools with Katherine and Chistine at National Cathedral School and John at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day.

School choice for presidents -- it could be one of the first, difficult decisions of the Obama transition.

UPDATE 11/11: From the N.Y. Post.

Our Newest Neighbor, Barack Obama

Barack Obama campaigns at the old convention center site in September 2007.
Photo: precentorpium on Flickr.

There's tremendous excitement as we learned last night that come January 2009, DC's Ward 2 will have a new resident of particular prominence, President Barack Obama. President Obama will move into a historic white house at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. It is a charming historic home with a nice view of the park and the National Mall, and within walking distance to downtown living, including Foggy B0ttom and Dupont Circle. President Obama will live and work just 2 blocks from my office and about 14 blocks from my home. I doubt I'll run into him at the new CityVista Safeway, but I'm very happy to have him as my new neighbor.

This is a tremendous day of momentus importance for our country and for Washington, D.C. Truly, the American dream remains a reality and, after eight years of heading down a mind-boggling, hair-pulling wrong path, we will hopefully move in the right direction with educational opportunity, support for small businesses, equality, and economic revitalization. Let us also hope that Obama's presidency, coming with Democratic gains in both the House and the Senate, also means that disenfranchised residents of the District of Columbia will finally attain full voting representation in the U.S. Congress. [UPDATE: Congresswoman Norton believes the legislation to give the District a vote in the House has a good chance given Democratic gains last night].

By the way, any thoughts on where he and Michelle will send their kids to school? As you may remember, during the final debate, he praised Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee for undertaking an ambitious plan to improve our city's public school system and their support for charter schools.