The Maryland Primary is only a few weeks away and I have heard repeatedly that the net roots movement is not very organized in Maryland and that proximity to Washington means everybody has a national focus. Well, it's time to change that.
Here is a proposal. How about we get together a list of mission critical candidates to support in the primary in Maryland and make a coordinated effort to get this slate elected! I think we all have our faves in local races but for State wide and specific Congressional races (Edwards vs Wynn) we can work together.
I am in agreement with most of the lefty/progressive blogs private slates that people are putting up, except for Mfume. I like his politics but I think the match-up against Steele does not look good because Mfume has really serious baggage. (I know Steele has issues, but before yelling at me, please inform yourself about the serious baggage Mfume brings to the campaign and imagine it being used by Carl Rove types in November.) Cardin, though boring and conservative in many areas, can win and I want a (D) in the Senate. Frankly I would rather have Chis van Hollen in that slot but he walked away early. I think Cardin can win.
Next: Governor: O'Malley. OK he is our candidate. He needs help to win.
See below for tactics.
Next: Attorney General : Tom Perez. Hands down the best candidate. Underfunded but very viable. He has most of the important endorsements and a good campaign organization that is just clicking into high gear. He needs help getting his message out for fundraising and support. Driving people to the website is critical as he can't go on Broadcast TV as much as Gansler. (Simms has no money so his campaign will be yard signs.) So this is where the progressive net roots community can help. Your local outreach, access to list-serves, friends and family can get Tom over the top. This is very doable but only if people take action- now!
If you want this you can make it happen. Drive people to the Perez website, use it yourself to order yard signs and bumper stickers, call talk radio, letters to the editor and get the conversation going. Most folks don't focus on the primary until about a day or so before voting and then they ask their friends what they think. You can be their friend!
OK,next, Comptroller. I am for Peter Franchott because he is the only progressive candidate, Shaeffer is becoming our Strom Thurmand and Janet Owens is a conservative Dem who was considered by Ehrlich as a potential running mate.
Again, if you are in doubt ask around Anne Arundel about her and you will see a pro development quasi republican in Dem clothing. Don't take my word for it.
Franchott has invested $750,000 of his own money in his race which some people find troubling. I think it shows he is serious about winning and did not take developers money. He has a very good record as a progressive and would bring a smart focused serious mind to the office. Unlike Shaeffer, Franchott would show up for meetings and when present he would not be ogling the receding ass of comely Republican assistants.
Finally Donna Edwards for District 4 against Al Wynn. I've met Donna several times and I am completely impressed. She is smart,very accomplished and would be a terrific progressive Congresswoman. She is a serious candidate.
Al Wynn voted for the Bush War, the Bush Bankruptcy Reform act, the Bush Energy Bill and the Bush Net Neutrality Act.
You can look at his voting record for yourself. He is a Republican in all but name,(he also supported Doug Gansler in exchange for a substantial contribtion from Gansler's campaign to his!).
You can help Donna Edwards even if you are not from her district in the same way that you can help all of the others above. Get up , go to your window,open it and scream, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." Take a breath and go to work at your keyboard, your telephone, your car, knock on doors, put up signs, Go,go,go! Coordinate your efforts on the web with your friends out here. Yes, we are here, and we are mad as hell too.
Update:
I can already see folks starting to talk to each other in some of the posts below. Keep it up. Talk to your friends, your poker buddies, (between beers), your book club friends , sports groups, whatever. I know political action is one of those subjects that is hard to broach but start by saying what you are doing and why you are doing it. It is cathartic to tell folks you are pissed and that you are taking action. All the state wide offices I am supporting (and Donna Edwards!) above have websites that you can contact to see how you can help, donate $25.00 or whatever. It really is time to get up and get his done.
Truly, you are not alone so let's see what we can do together. Great journeys start with a small step.