Given that the state of the District’s public schools is one of the city’s most pressing problems, we were excited to see Mayor Adrian Fenty host an online chat at the Post to clarify and explain his ambitious plans for a mayoral takeover. Unfortunately, the chat ended up sounding much like most of President George W. Bush’s public appearances — staged and scrubbed free of criticism.

Fenty fielded 16 questions in total, none of which rose above the level of fawning support or softballs. This isn’t to say that people don’t support Fenty’s plan — the majority of the D.C. Council does, and the only real opposition has come from School Board President Robert Bobb — but it seems unlikely that none of the school takeover skeptics made the time to submit a few prying questions. Since Post chats allow the participant to pick their questions, we can only imagine that Fenty and his staff did a little cherry-picking for the best stuff. (Former American University President Ben Ladner did some himself, so much so that the Post called him on it.) This was one particular favorite:

Rockville, Md.: There is no doubt that this is the most important issue in the District. But the chance of success are not certain. I can only wish you good luck! I would suggest that you have someone pay close attention to day-to-day events and that you get the best advice you can find.

Adrian M. Fenty: Thanks for the support and suggestions.

Or these two:

Falls Church, Va: Good luck Mayor. Bureaucratic inertia and school board political fighting compounded with corruption and inefficiency destroy the school system in D.C. It is criminal the effect that it has on the public schools. They will fight you every step of the way to keep their power and even if you win, they will proclaim how you took their elected rights away from them. The good fight is never easy. Along the way, try to sustain some discipline in those schools. If they become safe, then more people will entrust their children to them.

Washington, D.C.: Mayor Fenty,

I have confidence that you have the will to make sure effective change takes place but how soon will you act to destroy the bureaucracy that is currently destroying our schools; to remove the entrenched from power in order to add accountability from the top down; to make sure that the schools are about the children and not the politicians whether from your office, the council, or the dysfunctional school board. Thanks!

So which is it, D.C? Did no one actually think it was worth it to question the merits of Fenty’s plan, or did the Mayor and his staff only choose to address easy questions?