DC leaders say Obama has done little for them

Associated Press

BEN NUCKOLS, Associated Press

Updated: Oct 26, 2012 4:03 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some District of Columbia leaders are disappointed that President Barack Obama hasn't been more of an advocate for local autonomy.

Obama carried Washington in 2008 with 92 percent of the vote, a high percentage even in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

But four years later, the district's 618,000 residents still lack representation in Congress. And the city's budget and laws remain subject to congressional review.

D.C. Councilmember Michael A. Brown is a campaign surrogate for Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. But he says he's been "disappointed by their lack of leadership" on issues such as voting rights and budget autonomy.

The president has yet to appear in public with Mayor Vincent Gray. The mayor's 2010 campaign is the subject of a wide-ranging federal investigation.

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