The Politics Hour

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-06-01/politics-hour
The Politics Hour

Guns, gambling and an Alabama Democrat turned Virginia Republican. Plus, D.C. Council Member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Prince George's Council Member William Campos (D) join Kojo and Tom Sherwood in the studio.

A former Democrat with a national profile is recreating himself as a Republican in Virginia. District politicos are jockeying for position in anticipation of the next mayoral election. And Marylanders are bracing for the grand opening of the state's largest slots facility. Join our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Guests

Tom Sherwood

Resident Analyst; NBC 4 reporter; and Columnist for the Current Newspapers

Jack Evans

D.C. Council member (D-Ward 2); Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Revenue

William Campos

Member, Prince George's County Council, D-District 2

Politics Hour Extra

D.C. Council member Jack Evans on The Politics Hour

Democratic council member Jack Evans discussed business development in Ward 2, a potential mayoral bid and the Vincent Gray administration's corruption scandal.

Storified by The Kojo Nnamdi Show · Fri, Jun 01 2012 15:50:26

Jack Evan on #politicshour @tomsherwood will have wrap up on @nbcwashington tonight http://yfrog.com/ocysoeijSean Casey
The discussion opened with an analysis of the election controversies surrounding Mayor Gray's administration. Resident political analyst and NBC4 reporter Tom Sherwood asked Evans whether he would consider running for D.C. Council chairman or mayor in 2014.
.@JackEvansWard2: If a chance to run for higher officer were to arise, "I would definitely take it." @kojoshow #politicshourBruce DePuyt
Jack Evan says he is running for ward 2, but if climate were to change he would "Would love to be Mayor." #politicshour @tomsherwoodSean Casey
Evans lost a D.C. mayoral bid in 1998, and said he has considered running again ever since. "I have made no secret that I would love to be mayor of the District of Columbia, and if that opportunity ever presents itself to run for it I would definitely take it," Evans said.
The Kojo Nnamdi Show: Jack Evans On Mayoral Runkojonnamdishow885
Evans said he helped revitalize the city's downtown by building the Convention Center, Verizon Center and Nationals Stadium. But, not everyone has agreed with the changes. "There will be people in this city who will hate me until the day they die because we built a baseball stadium, and will campaign against me at every level," Evans said.

He said tax revenues have "literally doubled" because of the economic development. He said the city now earns $3 billion in property sales and income taxes from downtown businesses. "We have rebuilt downtown into the most exciting downtown in America," Evans said.

Interesting to hear #JackEvans on @kojoshow talk a/b development in downtown #DC. I'd like to hear thoughts and plans for growing @dcunitedRachel Nania
Listeners and callers voiced their complaints toward Evans and his policies.
Evans tells @kojoshow that Ward 2 progress might not have occurred if he'd been term-limited out in 1998. Caller: "You're an egomaniac!"Bruce DePuyt
If anyone listening to @kojoshow walks away with any impression other than wondering how to vote @JackEvansWard2 out I don't get you.John Nowicki
It seems that fans of Jack Evans don't call Kojo.Martin Austermuhle
On the #PoliticsHour, @JackEvansWard2 says push for ballot initiative to limit corporate influence on campaigns is "terrible idea."The Kojo Nnamdi Show
Evans said he is not in favor of term limits. He said politics is one of the only careers where people admire "fresh eyes" and bringing in people from the outside, which he said isn't effective.
@JackEvansWard2 - Gandhi has made mistakes, but has represented the city well. Reappointing him as CFO makes a lot of sense. #PoliticsHourThe Kojo Nnamdi Show
Evans really brushed aside the fact that he received $300,000 for an uncontested primary contest.Martin Austermuhle
As Evans left the studio, Prince George's County Council member William A. Campos joined Kojo to talk about casinos in National Harbor and Anne Arundel County, Md.
One guest out, another in on @kojoshow #politicshour. #nocommercialsnomercy http://instagr.am/p/LVqJdmNUJc/Brendan Sweeney

Politics Hour Video

Ward 2 D.C. Council member Jack Evans talked about the possibility of a future mayoral campaign. Evans lost a D.C. mayoral bid in 1998. "I have made no secret that I would love to be mayor of the District of Columbia, and if that opportunity ever presents itself to run for it I would definitely take it," Evans said.

Comments

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mp2003 wrote:

I love the show, but I have to say everytime you have one of the DC Council members on as a guest (with the exception of Tommy Wells), I thank god I don't live in the city. Jack Evans' narcissism is unbelievable.

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 12:36pm
The Kojo Nnamdi Show is produced by member-supported WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC.