Rhee campaigns openly for Fenty
Saturday, D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee finally ended speculation that she could comfortably work in mayoral candidate D.C. Council Chair Vincent Gray’s administration. The answer was in effect a 'no,' that she delivered standing beside incumbent Mayor Adrian. Rhee told a rally of 50 or so supporters that improvements in the school system and in economic development cannot continue without Fenty as mayor.
Rhee apparently delayed openly campaigning for Fenty because of legal advice she had received that she would be in violation of the federal Hatch Act if she used the power of her office to influence an election. However, Fenty’s poor showing in recent polls appears to have vanquished the need to consider legal niceties.
Bill Turque of the Post reports that D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles opines: "No violation." Turque also notes that someone would have to file a protest before a ruling would be made regarding whether Rhee, a D.C. government employee, has broken the Hatch Act.
Colbert King fears for Rhee's future
Post columnist Colby King ponders Rhee’s “decision to get into the mix of partisan politics” and predicts that “ No other big-city school district is going to touch her. A school administrator who openly engages in partisan politics, regardless of the merits of the candidate, is viewed as trouble waiting to happen.” Rhee “should have been saved from herself," King says.
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