At the official kickoff for his reelection campaign, Mayor Vincent Gray offered an apology for the legal issues with his 2010 campaign, but focused on the future: It’s “time to turn the page.”
After a rendition of “Your Best Days Yet” (a gospel song that included the lyrics “The best is yet to come”), Gray appeared on the THEARC stage to a standing ovation and chants of “Four more years!” He thanked his campaign co-chairs and volunteers before offering yet another apology for his 2010 campaign.
“We have big plans and, frankly ladies and gentlemen, I think we have record that proves we can achieve those plans. But, before we talk about the future, I want to say something about the past,” he told the crowd before talking a long pause.
“Everyone knows that our 2010 campaign had shortcomings,” he said. “I have spoken with people in living rooms, backyards, barber shops, on sidewalks and anywhere that I can talk to people. I’ve apologized to the families, I’ve apologized to friends, I’ve apologized to colleagues. I know that the 2010 campaign caused many people great pain. And I know that our city … suffered great embarrassment. So today, I want to apologize to you. [Applause from the crowd.] I want to apologize for the pain that my campaign … caused, and I want to ask for your forgiveness for what happened.” This was met with a standing ovation, cheers and chants of “Four more years!”
“Although I cannot apologize for the misdeeds of others,” Gray continued, “I don’t have any illusions about the fact that the 2010 campaign was in fact my campaign, and I am deeply sorry for the pain and embarrassment that it has caused.”
While Gray said he wants to focus on the future, he contended “that some journalists and our opponents want you to focus on the past. I know that some reporters prefer a circus to a thoughtful discussion of issues. I know that they care about ratings and selling newspapers.”
“I care about you.”
Gray’s campaign manager Chuck Thies has in particular taken issue with NBC4’s Tom Sherwood, accusing him of “journalistic malpractice.” At today’s kickoff, Gray’s campaign chair, Jerry A. Moore III, also took the “media” to task for perceived wrongs against the mayor. After saying he was asked by a TV reporter what he wanted Gray to tell him (“A loaded question”), Moore said, “I want Vince Gray to tell me he won’t be distracted by the current cacophony in the media and will stay focused on doing his job.”
Following the apology and media criticism, Gray focused on his accomplishments as mayor, including test score gains by students and job creation. He also placed emphasis on the District government’s refusal to close during the federal government shutdown.
“We are bringing together young people and old people, people who are black, brown, white, people who are Latino, Asian, immigrants from throughout the world, gay, straight, able-bodied and disabled,” Gray said. “We are creating a city that every resident should be proud of. A city that embraces, and nurtures and empowers every one of us. Ladies and gentleman, one city, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
