Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) is obviously feeling the heat.

In a reversal of his heretofore thriftiness, Washington Business Journal reporter Michael Neibauer tweets that Mendo’s finally spending some cash — and a hearty portion, at that: $192,704 since August 11, or a whopping 84 percent of his total fundraising balance. This is quite the binge for the campaign — Mendelson had only spent $16,000 on his entire reelection operation through August.

DCist HQ even received a Mendelson mailer on Friday — the first we’ve gotten from his campaign all summer. But the literature takes the high road, omitting the identity mixup, and focusing on Mendelson’s record of getting things done.

Those who have officially backed Mendelson aren’t so shy about voicing their displeasure with the Brown issue, having understandably grown fearful that their guy might be in the market for a new job come January. Most media have kind of danced around the suggestion, but today, an organization printed an editorial plainly suggesting that Michael D. Brown, the Shadow Senator allegedly skating by on the popularity of current Councilmember Michael A. Brown to a lead over incumbent At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson, just bow out of the race — you know, to uphold the integrity of the Council. Or something. Take it away, Georgetown Dish!

This suggestion, no, let’s call it a plea, is addressed to Shadow Senator Michael Brown, the At-large candidate for the D.C. Council:

Drop out of the race. 

[…]

You are not playing fair with the voters.  You have not mounted a serious campaign in the At-large race.  You entered to “make D.C. statehood a focus for the council,” you said.  Yet, you have not appeared at forums, you have not raised money, you have not rallied statehood supporters.  Even your posters highlight “Democrat,” and barely mention “statehood.”

Ironically, this is the sort of maneuver, resulting in who knows how many erroneous votes, that makes Washington, D.C. a perennial butt of jokes and an easy target for disrespect in our nation. Rush Limbaugh, are you ready?
 
The District’s voters should not be subjected to this damaging sleight of hand.

We can very easily see the District’s rep taking a bit of a hit if Brown is elected and fails to produce as a Councilmember, but it would hardly be the end of the world. I’m sure that radio pundits can and will find plenty to make fun of about our fair city, regardless of who ends up winning the race for an at-large Council seat.