In today's
Baltimore Sun:
Political observers say the Sept. 12 Democratic primary featuring Wynn, Edwards and Forest Heights contractor George E. McDermott has broad implications.
It could serve as a barometer, they say, of just how far anti-incumbency sentiments reach in a political season where several office-holders in other states have suffered defeats.
The fact that Edwards, a political neophyte, is attracting attention is significant given that most incumbents win re-election handily, said Ronald Walters, director of the African American Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland, College Park.
"This means that there's a level of dissatisfaction with incumbents' performances," said Walters. "That doesn't happen unless some people are ready to switch their basis of support. The question I'm raising is how large is it, how significant it is."
Not strong enough to score an upset, said Walters and other observers. But the specific results could provide further evidence, after the defeat of Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman in the Connecticut Democratic primary last month, of a fed-up electorate ready to usher in a new crop of politicians. Democrats hope that dissent could hand them control of one or both chambers of Congress.
Wynn, like Lieberman, has broken with his party several times and voted in favor of measures backed by the Bush administration - votes that Edwards frequently mentions. So a poor showing would suggest the degree to which voters will take out their unhappiness with the president on congressional incumbents in the midterm election, observers say.
"The prospects for seat change this year for incumbents - both Republicans and Democrats - are greater than they have been in recent years, and that has attracted better challengers and it has emboldened them," said James G. Gimpel, a professor of government at the University of Maryland, College Park.
I'm not so certain that the discontent is not strong enough for Edwards to beat Wynn. Part of what could help Donna Edwards is the annoyance by much of the Montgomery County portion of his district that they got redistricted from what now is Van Hollen country to Wynn. Thus, they were not the ones that ever elected Wynn in the first place.
Observers say the Wynn-Edwards race highlights a growing division within the black community between old-school liberals, traditionally associated with urban constituencies, and a new brand of black Democrats, like Wynn, attuned to the more moderate views of their suburban base.
"Black members like Wynn are beginning to take more moderate positions on things like taxes and spending and splitting off the traditional liberal views from the black caucus," said Gimpel.
Edwards, he said, is more left-leaning. She has lobbied for many progressive causes, including a higher minimum wage, campaign finance reform and domestic-violence funding.
Note: Wynn is saying things like campaign finance reform and even raising the minimum wage are to the left of him.....
Her candidacy has attracted the praise of liberal bloggers and Hollywood heavyweights. Barbra Streisand and Susan Sarandon donated to her campaign. Feminist Gloria Steinem has a glowing letter on Edwards' Web site. And actor and activist Danny Glover recorded an automated phone message in support of Edwards.
There are those damn liberal bloggers again, sticking their nose in things. And even worse, the Hollywood feminists. [/sarcasm]
She won the endorsement last week of The Washington Post, which praised her as "one of the smartest and most impressive newcomers in Maryland politics."
Still, Edwards does not appear to have the political operation and financial heft of Wynn. According to the most recent campaign finance reports, Edwards raised a total of $260,538 and had $31,176 left as of Aug. 23. Wynn had $377,326 on hand and has raised $573,094.
This a grassroots powered campaign. In Montgomery County, volunteers have been passing out literature on this race at the Giant supermarkets. They have been going door to door canvassing neighborhoods in the district in an effort to GOTV. However, money always helps with this effort allowing the campaign to get lit and signs printed. And the Edwards campaign is very close to making its TV ad buy.
You can donate toward this effort through Act Blue on her website. The campaign has raised over $15,000 on Act Blue this week...and that does not include checks and other donations made to the campaign.
Getting on the air might be what's needed to tip this race in the last week to help Donna win.
Help get the progressive voice we need elected to Congress on September 12th.
MD-04 may be the race that further demonstrates that incumbents that don't stand up against the regressive policies of George Bush will be voted out of office.
Change is in the air!