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Sunday, September 19, 2010

A chance to learn from Rhee's mistakes

A chance to learn from Rhee's mistakes

A chance to learn from Rhee's mistakes

By Mark Simon
Washington
Sunday, September 19, 2010

Post editors and reporters appear to have latched on to every possible explanation for the public's rejection of Mayor Adrian Fenty. Racial politics this week. Fenty's personality. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee's failure to communicate.

But Fenty's defeat isn't about race or personality. It's about bad decisions, particularly on school reform. His school reform strategies, as shoved through by Rhee, alienated the voters.

Rhee certainly rates as smart, charismatic and bold. But she made decisions early in her tenure that alienated every constituency she needed, and she rested her