A little noticed story broke in Philadelphia this week. The host committee for the Democratic National Convention ended up in the black, and Chairman Ed Rendell decided to give a $300,000 bonus to Kevin Washo, the committee's Executive Director.
Rendell justified the bonus by saying Washo's $156,00 annual salary was "a low wage."
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, the host committee's chairman, called the bonuses a reward for low pay and long hours. The 12 bonuses ranged from $500 up to $310,000 for the committee's executive director, Kevin Washo, whose committee salary was $13,000 a month for two years.
I do not know where Rendell got the idea that a salary four time nearly four times Philadelphia's Median Household Income of $41,000 was a "low wage."
Meanwhile, the field organizers and regional field directors who recruited volunteers in swing states were paid $2,500 to $3,000 per month. They worked 16 hour days recruiting volunteers, identifying voters, and raising money. They were paid no bonuses and their unemployment ran out last month. In response to Washo's outrageous bonus, a group of DNC organizers filed a class action lawsuit claiming they were denied overtime.
Washo told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he gave himself a $300,000 bonus because he worked hard.
Mr. Washo said his work with the early committee was “above and beyond” a volunteer job. He said the payouts were decided by him, Mr. Rendell, and chief operating officer Eliza Rose.
“It’s performance. Everyone worked hard. We tried to be fair,” he said
One of the things Washo performed well at was talking to the Philadelphia media about his love of expensive clothes and how his job was like hosting a dinner party:
But the dandiness - for which Washo is becoming known around town - is in the details. His navy blazer is tailored, not the uber-stylish shrunken look. The slim-fit trousers were plaid, flat-fronted, and with a watch pocket. (How is that for sharp?) And the brown dress shoes? They were of the double-monk strap variety, courtesy of Italian luxury brand Santoni.
"Here is the thing, I never want to look like I'm wearing a uniform," Washo told me, sitting in his fourth-floor office in DNC headquarters at 1900 Market St. "At first glance, you might not see anything too distinguishing. But when you peel back the onion, the pants are a little edgy, the shoes are a little edgy. That's what I try to go for."..
"It's like hosting a dinner party," Washo said. "You've got to make the guests feel comfortable, and you've got to look good."
Still, he added: "I don't want to be ostentatious; I don't want to be over the top."
It's little wonder that when senior Democratic staffers think $300,000 bonuses that pay for Santoni shoes are fair that 67% of Americans think the Democratic Party is out of touch. To people worrying about their next mortgage payment or concerned about their next paycheck bouncing on the Iron Range of Minnesota and Michigan, Washo's tailor made suits and $300,000 bonus are a reminder that they've been taken for granted by a Democratic Party more concerned about the next big check than about making a real difference in people's lives.
I hope that Washo looks good enough in the new luxury suit and $830 shoes he undoubtedly bought with his $300,000 bonus to justify the four years of economic pain working class Americans will face during the Trump Presidency.