RICHMOND HAS lately come into its own as a vibrant small city whose bustling business district, lively cultural scene and buzzy restaurants are bragging points for civic leaders. So how can it be that the city seems poised to elect a creepy, ethically clueless embarrassment as its mayor? Joe Morrissey, whose name rivals Anthony Weiner’s in the American pantheon of public sleazebags, is a disgraced former state lawmaker who was drummed out of the General Assembly in Richmond for his appalling personal conduct. This took place in February, around the time Mr. Morrissey and his wife, now 20 years old, had their second child. Fundamentally, Mr. Morrissey is a con man, but his con — a gift for banter and the common touch — is effective enough that it appeals to segments of Richmond’s electorate.

Source: Washington Post November 04, 2016 22:53 UTC