Boston Mayor Michelle Wu did simply superb.
Her antagonists on the Home Oversight Committee, out to color Boston as a haven for prison unlawful immigrants, hardly laid a glove on her.
And once they did throughout Wednesday’s Washington listening to on sanctuary cities denying or limiting cooperation with ICE, she gave again pretty much as good as she bought.
Wu, although, had a bonus that not one of the three different mayors testifying had — New York Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
Not solely was she the one girls mayor to testify, however she introduced together with her the “Three F’s.” They’re her non secular religion, which was symbolized by the smudge of an Ash Wednesday cross on her brow; conventional household values, by bringing her 1-month-old child to the listening to; and the flag, by describing herself because the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who loves America.
Who can high that?
As well as, the listening to was held on Ash Wednesday, the Roman Catholic and Christian holy day of reflection and repentance and the beginning of Lent, the 40-day interval of prayer and fasting that results in Easter Sunday.
When the priest applies the ashes, he reminds the receiver that “From dust you came, and to dust you will return.”
Not that Ash Wednesday and Wu’s ashes had something to do with the listening to, though some nonbelievers on the committee could have discovered it unsettling and even intimidating.
However perhaps they did so as a result of it was an open signal of her Christian religion, which can have contributed to her look of confidence, steadiness and serenity all through the lengthy listening to.
The ashes actually set her aside as she gave the impression to be one of many few within the room with ashes; some committee members had them, they usually have been outstanding each time the tv cameras centered on her.
Whether or not her sporting the ashes was a part of a committee look technique really useful by her extremely paid consultants or not, it clearly gave her an edge, as did having the child on board.
As robust and, at instances, cynical as a number of the questions that got here from scoffing Republicans have been, nobody dared touch upon the ashes or on having the child round.
If Committee Chairman James Comer anticipated Wu to be the weak hyperlink among the many 4 mayors, he needed to be dissatisfied. She turned out to be probably the most articulate.
And slightly than get into any confrontation with Comer or another Republicans on the committee who’re lethal against sanctuary cities, Wu skillfully made it a combat between her, the petite however articulate mayor, and the heavy-handed Tom Homan, the deporter-in-chief.
An instance was when she went after Border Czar Homan for describing Boston as a sanctuary for violent prison unlawful immigrants, for his threats to carry “hell” to Boston and for his assaults on Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox.
Homan, amongst different issues, stated earlier that Cox ought to flip in his badge. “You forgot what it’s like to be a cop,” Homan stated.
“Shame on him for lying about my city,” Wu stated of Homan. “For having the nerve to insult our police commissioner, who has overseen the safest Boston’s been in anyone’s lifetime. Bring him here under oath, and let’s ask him some questions. I am here to make sure the city of Boston is safe. Others may want to bring hell. We are here to bring peace to cities everywhere.”
Homan, after all, was not readily available to testify, though he could shortly be bringing “hell” to Boston as he goes after violent, prison unlawful immigrants.
Wu, regardless of being incorrect on the problem, not solely had a superb day in Washington however on the similar time, had a superb day in Boston. That occurred when Josh Kraft, her mayoral opponent, confirmed up on the demonstration exterior of Metropolis Corridor between professional and anti sanctuary demonstrators.
Kraft got here down on the facet of sanctuary cities.
Kraft, like Wu, is incorrect on the problem and incorrect on the politics of the problem as nicely. However Wu had a much better day.
Veteran political reporter Peter Lucas will be reached at: [email protected]
