tailored, traditional business suits. In poor neighborhoods where black nationalism ran high, he strutted in Dashiki. In middle class communities, where blacks strongly felt themselves to be insiders who were nonetheless victims of racism, he donned a suit. Casting himself as a seasoned professional, he touched a raw nerve about the arrogance of the white power establishment. Once again, Barry understood that religious themes were always powerful magnets in black America.”It was these strategies that led to Barry’s victory in the primary. And as the media often do, many national newspapers painted Barry’s victory as underdog, people’s favorite that had made a comeback against heavy personal obstacles. According to Barras, both The Boston Globe and The Los Angeles Times mentioned Barry’s comeback victory in the lead of their national election story.Although some gave Carol Schwartz a chance to win the general election, Barry’s popularity soared after the primary. As expected, many Democrats that had opposed him, rallied behind him. Barry, aware of the polarizing effects on racial relations his victory might have on the city, focused efforts in Schwartz’s backyard, Ward 3. Barry appeared in Ward 3 numerous times during the general campaign, sometimes hoping to win votes, however it was mainly a public relations maneuver to ease white voters into accepting another Barry administration. Four years after being caught on tape smoking crack cocaine, Marion Barry received 55 percent of the votes to become the next mayor of Washington, DC.Barry’s political comeback would run into major opposition from the newly elected Republican run Congress. Many would not dispute the fact that Barry, although popular with the electorate was not running the city in the efficient manner he had during the glory days of his first administration a decade and half previously. Congress created a Control Boa...
