Cosby Stumps Door-To-Door For Rolley

“Dr. Cosby is a community activist. He understands communities. He’s not about the politics… He’s about the community and serious people. So, ladies and gentlemen if you would help me…”.

The famed comedian and entertainment legend returned to Baltimore this week to campaign for Otis Rolley, who is in a six-way race to unseat Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Though the mayor showed a hefty lead in recent polls, Cosby is convinced that Rolley is the best person for the job.

“He’s been in politics – you’re now 37 – and he’s been around the big fellas. …  I know that he loves this city, and I know that he wants to be able to put into exercise his views and beliefs. … I believe Otis when he tells me that he is going to die for the people.”

Cosby headlined a fundraiser for Rolley in January. The pair spent Wednesday going door-to-door, speaking to residents and visiting Northeast Market before an evening rally at Coppin State University.

Cosby said he’s long admired Charm City, both up close and from afar.

“I have seen and admired Morgan State and the history of Mary Coppin, the history of Baltimore Colts saying to black people in Washington, DC, ‘You can come here and root for our team because we have black people on the team.’”

But if Rolley wins on Tuesday, Cosby said he won’t be in the way.

“Will we see you in Baltimore more often if he wins?”
“No. [laughter] Because the mayor of Baltimore will have a lot of work to do.”

At the rally, Allendale Community Association president Gertrude Hack described the decline of her neighborhood.

“I’ve seen the rise in abandoned homes. At one time, we had only eight vacant homes; now we have over 52. That is not good for our community. It is not good for the people. It is not good for our children.”

With frank talk, Cosby reminded attendees that they have a choice.

“Cuts, cuts, cuts, but the people can overcome cuts, cuts, cuts, if the people will do what they’re supposed to do – vote, vote vote.”

Rolley said he’s eager to meet the challenge of being mayor.

“I see it in the eyes of Gertrude Hack, when she talks about her neighborhood and how long she’s been there, the things that she’s done,  the people she’s talked to, the children that she’s seen grow up. And the fights that she has to currently have to keep her neighborhood safe. …Yeah, my birthplace was Jersey City, but my hometown is Baltimore. This is my home and I will fight to the death for my home.”

On Tuesday, he’ll be fighting for his political survival at the polls.

I’m Raven Hill, reporting in West Baltimore, for 88-1, WYPR.