Written by JMG Monday, 12 January 2009 21:58
Some distinguished members of TENAC and others in the community at large have criticized TENAC's political role in general and our candidate endorsements in particular, and believe we should be "apolitical." We respect but disagree with their views, hence this response. True, for the first time, we endorsed at the national level - enthusiastically endorsing Barack Obama for president, for which we make no apologies. At this time of grave economic peril for our nation, we could do no less.
TENAC deliberately organized as a nonprofit entitled to lobby and make political endorsements. We believe that inability to do so in Washington, DC would relegate TENAC to an ineffective second-class status. TENAC's political role has made us a key player on issues of critical importance. It has given us an effective voice on every key tenant issue in the District, including rent control, affordable housing, tenants' rights, evictions, submetering and building code violations, among many others. We strongly believe this is the way to go. Should we abrogate that responsibility and become a "paper tiger"?