Several legislators who quit the Black Caucus expressed dissatisfaction with the way Bowman handled an outreach assignment he held within the McCaskill campaign. Bowman’s allies say he simply managed an efficient outreach campaign and didn’t hesitate to fire any operative who wasn’t pulling his weight, regardless of whose cousin he was. His new enemies say he worked their districts without asking for their help – which means without sharing the money or glory. He did so at a moment when many feel the balance of power in black politics in the city and state could tilt at any moment, away from the old organizations and toward emergent sources of power.
Bowman’s behavior at the Black Caucus meeting last week is best understood within this context. He was apparently drunk on his new and potential power when he called the meeting to order. All of the pieces of the machine that could replace the old organizations are not in place yet, but Bowman could be excused for assuming he would be one of those pieces. If so, it is safe to say he blew that one.
Perhaps one day the story can be told about all of the other opportunities he dragged down the drain with him.