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The Post's Reliable Source reported yesterday that WTOP Political Analyst and longtime voting rights agitator Mark Plotkin cornered Obama advisor David Axelrod at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner last Friday and pressed for the president to put the "Taxation Without Representation" tags on the presidential limousine. Axelrod didn't seem to think much of the personal appeal, telling Plotkin, "That's your thing." Plotkin also found RNC Chair Michael Steele and followed up on the former Maryland Lt. Governor's promise to put the protest plates on his car.
This is hardly the first time Plotkin has mouthed off to a powerful figure. In March, his strident questioning of two Republican senators over voting rights earned him the title of "rude" from a Weekly Standard reporter; in late 2007, he was booted from the White House for lobbing questions at press-shy First Lady Laura Bush. He also openly called President Obama an "ingrate" over the license plate issue during a White House press briefing earlier this year.
Let's be honest -- this is about as big a non-issue as you can get. The symbolism would be nice, but it's by no means the thing that's going to change the course of our long-standing battle for voting rights. But we feel where Plotkin is coming from: why not just put the issue to bed by putting the plates on? It's not like Obama is against D.C. voting rights or will make anyone angry by doing it. How long could it possibly take to get this taken care of? And hey, White House staff, if you need to borrow our screwdriver, just email tips@dcist.com and we'll run on over.
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what a douche, that axelrod guy. it's more than just plotkin's 'thing.' sure, it's symbolic, but the fact is that voting rights is 600,000 people's 'thing.'
do the right thing, obama staff, and put the damn plate on. it's so damn simple to do. occam's razor pretty much leads you to believe that they must be opposed to district voting rights, because no other explanation can answer why they haven't done this already.
I wouldn't doubt that he supports voting rights, but like so many other issues, it seems that Obama does not trouble himself with certain ones that would cost political capital. Also, if he starts talking about voting rights, then the gun issue will come up as well, and I'd bet that he has no interest in that either.
So, we in the District will continue with out representation...
I don't think running towards the White House waiving a screwdriver is a great idea...
Running whilst waiving any kind of libation is generally considered poor form.
The Secret Service frowns upon alcohol abuse?
Why would you ever waive your twenty-first amendment rights?
Waiving them is one thing. Onanistic waste of good liquor is another.
Wow, it's been what, four months since the last post on this? I'm actually impressed. That said, a counterpoint to this quote:
"Let's be honest -- this is about as big a non-issue as you can get...But...why not just put the issue to bed by putting the plates on?"
If this is a non-issue, why not just put the issue to bed by not writing about it?
Obama has already shown that he lacks the balls to take a stand on controversial issues that might cost him politically, so this doesn't surprise me.
And Plotkin is an annoying little twit for sure, but I'm glad he's willing to bring attention to voting representation at the cost of looking like an idiot.
"That's your thing" should be Comment of the Week. That's got the same ring to it as my juevenile and still favorite non-response: "Your Mom".
My guess is Obama will eventually slap those plates on his car sometime during the last two years of his second term.
Plotkin is an ass. His obnoxiousness is not helping the cause.
"Plotkin Continues to Be Obnoxious Douchebag." I've corrected the headline for you.
Asswipe also fits.
The whole license plate thing really is only a concern of the residents of DC, so I don't quite understand what the certainly justifiable criticism of Obama for refusing to take controversial stands has to do with it. Anyone who would freak about him changing the plates can't stand Obama and the idea of DC voting rights anyway.
And why all the hate for Plotkin? I was in heaven when he called Mrs. Bush out for exploiting city schools for photo-ops while her husband could care less about their rights, and he managed to be quite clever about it too. I think this situation is analogous in some ways. The Obamas actually talk about they want to be a part of the life of this city (unlike the Bushes), so it's more than a little hypocritical to not put the plates on. I mean, if you care about the community, actually show by dong something besides getting an occasional cheeseburger or blowjob from Fenty.
Speaking of cheeseburger blowjobs, I'm really digging the new Burger King ads.
I've seen Plotkin work politicians and he has more balls and inquisitiveness than any member of the media I know of. If by "obnoxious" you mean "challenge the status quo and actually pushes politicians for information" then I agree.
As far as it being a "non-issue" or "nice symbolism," imagine what would happen if he did put the plates on his limo: national media orgy (this site on top?), saturation of the issue, enhanced and more cohesive DC voting movement.
thanks dave - plotkin is the man. he never seems to be intimidated. maybe everyone here prefers pat collins's style - instead of getting after fenty on the travel bullshit, he would have done a feature on how the twins were upset to miss spongebob while they were in Dubai.
There's a fine line between agressive journalism and being a dildo. Plotkin crossed into Steely Dan territory quite some time ago. It's gotten to the point that, if he got a interview with the aliens in "To Serve Man," his first question would be where they stand on DC voting rights? I mean, who the f**k cares about that cookbook and all the free Rap Snacks they're handing out. When will they put a DC license plate on their flying saucer?
I think Plotkin needs to spend a little less time beating that dead horse and more time shaving his back. That $h!t ain't right.
Count me in as a fan of Plotkin, and I do wosh Obama (or his staff) would just change the damn license plates already. Bush had them changed immediately after taking office; why wait to undo anything he did, just do it already.
"...why not just put the issue to bed by putting the plates on?"
Isn't it clear to everybody that the Obama Administration has made a decision not to replace the limo's license plates? Let's put the issue to bed ... and GET OVER IT!
ARE THERE any legitimate reason why obama has not put the license tag on the presidential limo??
Maybe he thinks the message is dumb? Or he doesn't really give a Morlock's patootie since it's not like DC won't still love him in the morning.
Other than the federalism issue with the federal government putting State-issued plates on federal vehicles? Most federal vehicles (as well as foreign diplomatic vehicles) have federally-issued plates, if they have plates at all.
I'm not sure what plates the President's limo has now, but I always saw Clinton's putting DC plates on as a publicity stunt to cover for the fact that he was doing nothing on the issue.
Eight years of Clinton administration didn't really move voting rights forward much, did it? But at least he had the right license plates on his limo!
It looks like America's Second Black President won't even be taking those extreme measures.
Plotkin is right on with this. The President who nearly every one in this city voted for really ought to put those plates on his limo. It's the VERY LEAST he can do.