The long campaign for the D.C. mayoralty, begun roughly Tuesday, draws to a close today — with no clear front-runner in sight. As voters head to the polls (voting is open until 6 p.m.), many are still asking questions about the candidates. They’ve all got their strengths — some endowed by radioactive spiders, others by cybernetic implants. But aren’t these capes all carpetbaggers? Can any of them represent the District?
Spider-Man: In many ways, Spider-Man is an ideal candidate for the DCist endorsement. He’s an amateur-turned-professional photographer who ditched his career at the Daily Bugle to teach high school science, with a platform emphasizing his experience in science and health care and beating up Dr. Octopus. And Spider-Man 2 was awesome.
But did Spidey ever submit photos to the DCist Pool? He says he’s a friend of Mayor Fenty — does that mean that he supports DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee?
Most disappointing is Spider-Man’s failure to address an issue that should be near and dear to his heart: D.C.’s height restriction ordinance. He does realize that he can’t web-sling his way across D.C.’s skyline, doesn’t he? The ol’ webhead could be a great advocate for easing height restrictions and opening the way for smarter development in the District, but your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has still got his head stuck in Queens.
Green Lantern: I’m as ready as the next voter for a green economy, especially if that means that every thing runs on Lantern power battery. But the Emerald Knight’s candidacy raises some sincere concerns. Which Green Lantern is running for office? We seem to be getting Kyle Rayner, which is good, because Hal Jordan went totally nuts (and we’ve already had at least one crazy mayor). But the Corps should have considered running John Stewart, the first African-American Lantern and one of DC Comics’s first black heroes. Otherwise, the Lantern’s platform looks good. DCist is concerned that the Parallax Fear Anomaly will affect his ability to address the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, but voters should expect rapid Green Line expansion.
