The last time the Dalai Lama was in Washington, not even spiritual enlightenment could help him figure out why District residents still lacked voting rights. And now that he’s coming back, maybe he’ll have a little word with President Bush and Congressional Republicans about it.

Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader will be in town next week to accept a Congressional Gold Medal. The medal, which accompanies a resolution passed last year that recognizes him as “a leading figure of moral and religious authority,” will be presented during a ceremony attended by Bush, representing the first time a sitting U.S. president has met the Dalai Lama in public.

Maybe he can use his moral and religious authority to remind Bush that 206 years of disenfranchisement for the District’s residents is a little too long. Heck, maybe we can even get him to go on some lobbying visits.