Real Washington: Premier Show Preview (September 5, 2010)

Here is a preview of what you can expect on Real Washington today at 6pm EST. www.blogtalkradio.com/realwashington

"Apologies, Mistakes, Apologies, Mistakes": How the final weeks of the 2010 DC Mayoral Campaign are starting to sound like a Catholic church confessional and how each candidate is pushing the other to repent his political sins.

Ward 8 ANC Race Heats Up as Attacks on Incumbent Grow Sour: Featured from the blog- Markus talks about the contentious and controversial race in Single Member District 8C03 between Incumbent Mary Cuthbert and newcomer Larry Pretlow.

(Photo left) Candidate for At-Large member of the DC City Council, Clark Ray: We will speak to former Parks and Recreations Director and candidate for the At-Large seat of the DC City Council, Clark Ray about his campaign, his platform and the recent controversy over Shadow Senator Michael Brown's candidacy, that has bumped Ray into a 3rd place position against incumbent Phil Mendelson. For more information, visit www.clarkrayforcouncil.com (First half)

(Photo right) Independent Candidate for Virginia's 6th Congressional District, Jeff

Vanke: We will be joined by Jeff Vanke, an independent candidate for the Congressional seat for Virginia's 6th District, who has become one of the leading candidates in the race, posing a great threat to long-time incumbent, Republican Bob Goodlatte. With no Democrat in the race, Vanke is gaining support for his centrist views from Democrats, Independents and defective Goodlatte supporters. He will talk with us about his platform and his prospects for November. For more information, visit www.jeffvanke.com

ANC Race in Ward 8 Heats Up as Attacks on Incumbent grow sour

The race for the Advisory neighborhood commission seat in 8C03 has grown sour within a few short weeks as Larry Pretlow, amateur rapper and youth rights advocate, has attempted to unseat long-time incumbent Mary Cuthbert.

The controversy between Pretlow and Cuthbert, neighbors, began when Pretlow released a barely audible video to news sources early in August, which allegedly captured Cuthbert calling her opponent a "dumb nigger". Cuthbert never denied the claim and was even captured escaping the eye of news media at a Ward 8 Candidates forum held a few days after the story was broken. The story never reflected extremely bad on Cuthbert and the story passed very quickly without threatening her run for reelection. However, it did sour many people's feelings about Pretlow both because of attacks on Cuthbert and their personal interactions with him.

Since the controversy began about a month ago, sites such as www.wehatepretlow.wordpress.com have popped up, citing Pretlow's debatable record, challenging his claims against Cuthbert and doubting his motives for running for the office. His name is a staple of gossip within the Ward. One resident says that when he asked Pretlow the purpose of the ANC, the response and answer was very vague and skimped in detail, giving hint that Pretlow might not know what his job would actually be. Others say that Pretlow was recruited to move to Ward 8 a few months ago by Cuthbert's enemies on the commission to oust her. Even the Mayoral race has made it into this controversy, as many cite that Pretlow has shown support throughout the race for Leo Alexander, while "playing politics" and campaigning for Chairman Vincent Gray.

Despite this, Pretlow is getting some show of support, even recruiting Liz Pecot as his campaign manager, a large supporter and volunteer for Mayoral Candidate Leo Alexander. Which, will make for a contentious and exciting ANC race East of the River on September 14th.