I know the fight between AG Peter Nickles and Councilmember Mary Cheh is getting a lot of play on City Desk. LL noted it. And our Weekend in Reviewer picked it up as well. I think it needs a third look. WaPo wrote on Sunday:

“It’s almost becoming a lawless administration,” said council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3). “They seem to have no limits or restraint on what they are willing to do.”

Attorney General Peter Nickles, who often speaks on behalf of the administration, said Cheh “has no idea what she’s talking about.” “For her to make comments like that, it’s stupid,” he said. “She’s an angry woman.”

What struck me was Nickles’ blatant sexism (which DCist picked up on). Nickles’ comment that “she’s an angry woman” feels like he’s channeling Mad Men. It’s made all the more ironic considering that Nickles had played the race and gender card over the very topic he and Cheh are fighting about: Ximena Hartsock.

I don’t care if Cheh is an accomplished lawyer/professor/councilmember. Nickles fights are getting increasingly personaly with Cheh. It’s not doing him any favors.

Nickles owes Cheh an apology. He’s a tough lawyer. He should be able to come up with a better retort than the tired “angry woman” cliche.

*photo by Darrow Montgomery.