A couple years ago, D.C. had two Kwame Browns in the news, a local politico and a mediocre hoopster, which might have caused a few people to comment how it was great that a pro athlete was getting involved in local politics. Thankfully for the Wizards, one of those Kwame Browns moved on.

However, D.C. now has two Michael Browns in local politics. The other day we saw this poster on the street, which confused us — Michael Brown for shadow senator. Mayoral candidate Michael Brown had just said he wasn’t bowing out of the race, so what was this sign about? Is he hedging his bets? Is it some kind of dirty trick? We checked the website on the sign and learned this is a second Michael Brown, Michael D. Brown, who’s running for shadow senator. (Interestingly, that Wikipedia article says D.C. as a state would be called New Columbia.) The mayoral candidate is Michael A. Brown, and to his credit, his bio says Michael A. Brown numerous times. To clarify, to the confusion, the Michael D. Brown running for shadow senator is not the same Michael D. Brown who did a heckuva job and resigned from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina. Phew.

We have a suggestion to make this easier — somebody go by “Mike.” Or at least do your name in H. Ross Perot style.