MD-04: Al Wynn takes his ball and goes to K Street

Aren't you glad we took him out?

Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.) is expected to announce Thursday afternoon that he will leave the House in June to join a Washington, D.C., law firm, according to Democratic sources.

Wynn was defeated in February in his bid for a ninth term when he lost the Democratic primary to challenger Donna Edwards.

And good riddance. Question now is whether there will be a special election to fill the remainder of his term. I wouldn't mind getting Edwards into the seat sooner rather than next January.

In any case, let's get more Donna Edwards-type Democrats into Congress.

Update: As if we can ever avoid presidential politics -- this is a loss of one super delegate for Obama.

Update II: Another likely super delegate loss for Obama:

Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila is among several people named in a sealed indictment, officials said Thursday, as U.S. authorities made the first arrests in a long-running probe into his party's finances.

An Associated Press reporter saw at least five officials from the Popular Democratic Party as they were led in handcuffs into the U.S. federal building in San Juan.

Acevedo is a Obama super delegate.

Update III: But Obama picks up an add-on delegate in Connecticut.

Race tracker wiki: MD-04

•  can't even finish his term

  gee thanks for playing

  by Jimmy Crackcorn on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:54:06 AM PDT

•  Inconceivable

  that MD would hold a special election for a six-month term in a Congress that will likely recess early.

  They already held their local office primary (obviously) - it would take two elections - both a primary and a general vote - to put her into office early.

  by seanflynn on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:55:47 AM PDT

  •  Yeah

    MD doesn't even hold September primaries in presidential election years. They wouldn't hold a primary and special election for what'll probably be a 2 month term.

    After all, they're not Texas.

    by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:56:55 AM PDT

  •  Well, maybe...

    A good chunk of the Montgomery County portion of the MD-04 is having a special primary election of April 15th to fill the seat of the County Councilwoman who passed away a couple of months ago. They are then having a special general election on May 13th (http://montgomerycountymd.gov/eletmpl.asp?url=/content/elections/index.asp).

    It would be tight, and there are many possible issues including PG county signing on, but maybe it is possible...

    by naraht on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:01:00 AM PDT

    •  Yeah

      no way they move that promptly or efficiently. It is the government, after all. ;) (ha, sorry to any prompt/efficient government people reading this*)

      The only case I remember recently of a special election being held before the date of one's resignation was Largent in Oklahoma when he resigned.

      (* - but maybe you're being less prompt if you're working for the government and reading dKos now. Maybe. Kidding)

      by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:05:08 AM PDT

  •  Couldn't the MD Gov

    just appoint Edwards to serve out the term?

    by CCSDem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:54:42 AM PDT

  •  There's got to be a state law that decides this

    Anybody know what the law is in Maryland?

    by Geotpf on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:07:39 PM PDT

  •  Maryland statutes

    see MD election law here

    Pertinent part of Title 8-710:

    (2) If the vacancy occurs during the period beginning 60 days before the regular primary election and ending on the last day of the term, the Governor may:

    (i) decline to issue a proclamation; and

    (ii) allow the office to remain vacant for the remainder of the term.

    60 days before the regular primary would have been back in Dec 07; I believe the last day of the term is Jan 3 2009; so this vacancy would definitely be "during the period". I don't know how much significance to attach to the "may" language.

    If it really does give the gov discretion, he must issue a proclamation within 10 days of the vacancy, announcing a

    special primary election shall be held on a Tuesday that is at least 36 days after the date of the proclamation

    and a

    special general election shall be held on a Tuesday that is at least 36 days after the date of the special primary election

    If Wynn bails in June, that would put the special primary some time in July, and the special general into August or later. Doesn't seem likely.

    by rincewind on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:07:40 PM PDT

    •  Wow

      I ask a question and get an answer in exactly one second.  New world record!

      Seems to be totally up to the governor if he wants to hold an election or not.  If I was gov, I'd let it stay vacant for six months, but that's just me.  Seems silly to waste the taxpayer's money on two elections (the primary and the general) just so somebody can serve for four months, at least one of which Congress is out of session anyways.

      by Geotpf on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:14:14 PM PDT

•  Buh bye, Al...

  ...too bad you're getting into the lobbying game at the wrong time.  Now it's time to elect more and better Democrats and put K Street to sleep...

  by Ken in MN on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:57:57 AM PDT

  •  Here's why we need more......

    Democrats, especially ones who take an active interest in Gulf Coast recovery in Congress. If the issues brought up in this diary matter to you, please sign up for the April blogathon!

    by Louisiana 1976 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:03:29 AM PDT

  •  I thought Congress members had to wait a year

    or two after they retired before they could work as lobbyists.
    No?

    by katz5 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:00:16 PM PDT

•  he reveals his true interests

  by going to the private sector without finishing his term.

  Trent Lott anyone?

  by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:58:00 AM PDT

•  Obama superdelegate

  Double oof considering PR Governor probably cannot hang on to his seat either.

  by Magster on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:59:05 AM PDT

  •  Eh

    I guess that sorta cancels out whatever SuperD loss came from Spitzer resigning.

    But yeah, you'd think that he could wait until September. Although he probably got behind Obama to help increase his chances of winning reelection.

    by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:02:18 AM PDT

    •  Edwards would probably endorse Obama

      considering she was helped by his coattails.  I hope there's a way to get her started sooner.

      by Magster on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:04:00 AM PDT

      •  She did endorse Obama

        one of the issues in the primary from what I heard was "Which one of us likes Obama more?"

        by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:07:48 AM PDT

        •  See, I told you. nt

          by Magster on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:09:26 AM PDT

        •  You must've read my diary, huh?

          And yeah, since he was getting 75% of the vote ... Hillary really lucked out in the way the delegates fell.

          In MD-1, MD-3, MD-7 and At-large Obama fell just short of picking up an extra delegate (at least .4 of the non-whole number)

          Only in the assignment of PLEO did Obama luck out.

          by DemocraticLuntz on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:16:51 AM PDT

          •  In other words, she ended up benefitting beaucoup

            from the gerrymandering done to shore up MD-2 and MD-8.  

            Lowered the black population in MD-1 and MD-3 and MD-7 just enough for her to squeak out those extra delegates.

            by DemocraticLuntz on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:19:19 AM PDT

      •  She already did. Did you miss my diary?

        BREAKING: Edwards endorses Obama

        Okay, it's finally happened. The endorsement we've all been waiting for. Daily Kos' favorite candidate has endorsed Barack Obama for president.

        And it's coming right before a crucial primary.

        It got the official silly seal of approval from TomP.

        Others were more blunt.

        I got probably at least 10 "fuck yous" and "you suck" and at least 5 people to tell their spouses that John Edwards had endorsed Obama and thus embarrass themselves.

        But I also made it to the rec list, and that's all that matters.

        by DemocraticLuntz on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:11:42 AM PDT

•  MD-04 will be in a no-Wynn situation (n/t)

  by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:59:42 AM PDT

  •  It was hard to decide whether to give you

    a recommend or hide. I chose recommend, but there ought to be some penalty for a crime like that.

    by davewill on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:14:32 AM PDT

•  Let's elect more like Wynn...

  ...and let's get rid of the deadwood: Hillary, Mary Landrieu, Mark Pryor, Tom Carper, Ken Salazar, this means YOU!

  by simca on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:01:35 AM PDT

  •  Don't you mean...

    ... elect more like Edwards?

    by homoaffectional on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:08:15 PM PDT

    •  Shit!

      Yes, of course.  Blogging while overcaffeinated.

      by simca on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:36:13 PM PDT

•  Wynn! Leave sooner. Let O'Malley appoint Edwards

  to fill out the remainder of your tenure.

  by ecostar on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:01:52 AM PDT

  •  No

    no state appoints people to the US House.

    Maryland would have to hold a primary and a special election for the seat, and I don't think they'll do that.

    by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:03:14 AM PDT

  •  O'Malley is DLC

    If he appoints anyone, it will probably be someone just like Wynn.

    by simca on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:03:29 AM PDT

•  LOL

  Would the seat be appointed or special election? Anyone know the rules?

  by discocarp on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:03:25 AM PDT

  •  Election (maybe)

    answered upthread

    by discocarp on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:05:36 AM PDT

  •  If there's a special election

    a primary would be held too.

    I think the last special election in Maryland included a primary that was held at the same time as the regular primary (Cummings in 1996?)

    And that attracted like 30 candidates. Cummings won with like 25%, and won the general special election by 70 points.

    by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:07:08 AM PDT

•  The Firm of Bearley, Credable & Kerupt?

  I think they're in my building.

  by SteamPunkX on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:04:09 AM PDT

  •  Dewey, Cheetum & Howe is on floor above them n/t

    by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:06:02 AM PDT

•  She was at DCLabor's Saturday event

  It was nice seeing her face and watching her work the room.  

  by Bendygirl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:04:51 AM PDT

•  As Clay Davis would say....

  Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

  by LarsThorwald on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:08:42 AM PDT

•  I hope he has read the new laws re: lobbyists

  chuckle...chuckle...snicker

  by SmileySam on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:09:35 AM PDT

  •  It says he's coming to a firm here in DC

    there is no lobbying law that we don't know how to get around.

    Lobbying is where the big money is.  The rest is just accounting.

    by Wisper on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:14:49 AM PDT

    •  He can "only" consult for the 1st yr.

      That is why someone else quit right before Jan. 1 when the law went into effect. Someone should keep a eye on him.

      by SmileySam on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:43:43 AM PDT

•  Maybe O'Malley will appoint Edwards

  to finish out Wynn's term.

  The primary's already over, and Edwards is already the Democrat.  Why not let her take over the vacant seat a little early.

  It's not as though there'd be any political fallout from the solid blue 4th.

  by AdmiralNaismith on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:10:37 AM PDT

  •  aoeu

    Representatives must be elected to the House, they cannot be appointed.

    by TealVeal on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:12:17 AM PDT

•  Any word on what Firm?

  :::please don't let it be mine:::

  by Wisper on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:12:43 AM PDT

•  Sorry for the Hijack--but this is important

  and there hasn't been an open thread since 5am this morning.

  Look at the FOX NEWS website.  Then look at all the other "real" news sites.  CNN, MSNBC, etc.

  ALL the MSM is reporting on the extreme violence going on in Baghdad right now---except one....

  FOXNEWS.   They are still trying to smear Obama on the frontpage.
  '
  GO, take a look.  

  by SemDem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:13:32 AM PDT

•  Give him some credit

  At least he didn't form the "Maryland for Wynn" party and choose to run anyway in the fall.  Unlike certain Senators one could name....

  by NessMonster on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:17:41 AM PDT

•  some asshole

  some asshole peeled my "Enough is enough, vote democratic" sticker off of my car the other day. I went to unamerican.com to order some "Fuck the republican party" stickers to replace them figuring it was more to the point and i'd like to beat whoever this wanker who did this up. But i've been thinking violence is not the solution. Does anyone know where I can bulk order some custom stickers? Hopefully with some awful adhesive that does hell to cars? I've been thinking about getting back at this jackass by making some that say something like "God bless terrorism - paid for by the republican national comittee" and plastering them on people's cars. But That's too obviously a rogue attack from a democrat and people would see right through that. Anyways i'm really miffed about this. Any ideas?

  by daeros on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:19:09 AM PDT

  •  That would be vandalism

    Don't break the law for something like this.

    by kos on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:31:00 AM PDT

    •  yeah...

      sense kos says not to I guess i won't.

      by daeros on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:33:47 AM PDT

•  OT newb needs help

  Sorry to interrupt, I hope someone can help me with my first diary.
  I want to publish my first diary, and there is no publish button anywhere...

  by gigglinggirl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:21:50 AM PDT

  •  How new are you?

    You have to wait one week after you register to write diaries.

    by jj32 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:31:20 AM PDT

    •  It's been a week already

      I have my draft written, but no publish button. There's only preview and delete diary.
      It is quite a long diary with enough paragraphs.

      by gigglinggirl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:48:11 AM PDT

      •  You have

        to preview the diary first (just like comments)
        You can publish the diary only if it fits the rules.

        by micha1976 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:36:46 PM PDT

•  This is good news

  Gives Edwards a chance to get some seniority over the 2008 incoming class, this will help her in the future.

  Very good news for her and progressives to have a strong voice earlier then we expected.

  And another Obama Super is always good.

  by Conniver on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:22:54 AM PDT

  •  Well, I dont think she can take office

    yet. She has to win in Nov first, which she will. But they couldnt seat her now.

    by jj32 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:25:24 AM PDT

    •  Depends if they call a special election

      whether or not she can get seniority.

      by Conniver on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:44:40 PM PDT

•  Donna Edwards has endorsed Barack Obama, btw

  So, depending on the rules, it might not be a loss

  by sharris0512 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:24:15 AM PDT

•  Eh

  As if we can ever avoid presidential politics -- this is a loss of one super delegate for Obama.

  We should probably give a SuperD vote to Democrats who resign/retire in good standing like Wynn (officially) did.

  It's one heck of a system when superdelegates are added and deleted in the months before the convention.

  Sorry Al Wynn, you'll no longer be Super after June.

  by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:26:12 AM PDT

  •  The guy is a crook

    And as far as I'm concerned, quitting before your term is up without a good reason (like health) is not resigning in good standing. He broke his promise to the voters of his district to serve his two-year term.

    by kos on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:32:28 AM PDT

    •  hm

      the ethics clouds is why I didn't just claim total good standing.

      There are other ways to resign with a clean record in a pretty bad lookign way. Bud Shuster probably gets to be categorized that way (even if he has his own clouds) since he resigned to let his son have the job.

      (And yeah, using the "good standing" rule probably means that Meehan gets to vote for Clinton or something unpleasant like that, so it's not a total win)

      It just seems a bit unstable when we have people who were SuperDelegates, until their term in an honorary position ended (Shirley Franklin?). And some sort of stability or sanity should be looked into for the whole delegate mess.

      Also, when it comes to promises, no matter who wins the Presidential election this November, they'll break their promise to serve six years. Although the voters won't really give a rat's ass about such a thing.

      by RBH on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:45:59 AM PDT

•  he's probably not qualified to get a real job.

  by LRT on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:26:22 AM PDT

•  Hopefully they can get Edwards elected...

  ...in time for the DNC. She also endorsed Obama, so it'll be a wash as long as she becomes a superdelegate in time.

  by PsiFighter37 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:28:11 AM PDT

•  Lo que haces con una mano lo borras con la otra.

  You're right, this is great, I'm glad Al Wynn left.  

  But I have to say, your recent vitriol against Clinton, your anti-democratic position on the MI/FL revotes, your crazy conspiratorial imputations to the Clinton camp, and your unwillingness to take Obama to task on many of his non-progressive stances, has cost you much credibility with me and many others.

  Once this primary is over, I'm all Atrios -- the only sane one of the bunch.  

  by vrse79 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:31:37 AM PDT

•  Speaking of Puerto Rico ...

  I wonder if Obama considered taking his Easter vacation there? It's a beautiful place, tropical climate, and chock full of delegates.

  But, I suppose getting away from politics was the point ...

  by jeepdad on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:40:51 AM PDT

•  Gross... Wynn's going to Dickstein Shapiro

  They are usually better then that... although they have a notable DC presence they are generally small fry in the legal world.

  That firm has been riding the reputation of its Insurance Litigation group for years.  Ironic that the same group has been involved in so many MASSIVE litigation cases it now has a list of conflicts that pretty much BLOCK any other major firm from acquiring the little shop.

  And it looks to boost its Gov. Affairs group with the likes of Al Fucking Wynn?

  Andy Zausner: YOU CAN DO BETTER.

  by Wisper on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:46:19 AM PDT

•  How long until HRC links Obama to Acevedo Vila?

  Any entries into the pool?

  My guess is 4 PM ET, tops, before the first innuendo linking Vila with Rezko with Obama slips from some surrogate's mouth.

  by TheCrank on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:53:02 AM PDT

•  Sending superdelegates a message?

  [tinfoil]

  Not that I want corruption to continue, but one has to wonder about the timing of Acevedo's indictment? Do you think there are any other party insider superdelegates with dirt under their rugs?

  [/tinfoil]

  by Enterik on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:01:35 PM PDT

•  Wyn departure excellent of course

  but constitutes merely a lateral move within his current practical duties (as opposed to his moral, political and constitutional ones long neglected.)

  Go DONNA!

  by tbrucegodfrey on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:04:42 PM PDT

•  Donna Edwards is for Obama

  Odds are that Donna Edwards will win that special election for the remainder of the term. No guarantees, but it's darn likely. And she would then be a super delegate to the convention, where she will vote for Obama.

  by Jackson Landers on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:06:31 PM PDT

  •  Not likely

    Unfortunately it's unlikely there will be a special election for just a few months of service. It's a lot of trouble and expense for the state, and Gov. O'Malley is a Clinton supporter anyway (though realistically I doubt that's a huge factor in his decision).

    by KCinDC on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:15:21 PM PDT

•  PR Gov is the latest victim of Attorneygate

  I'll probably write a whole diary on the case in a couple of days, after the whole hoopla on the indictement wears down.

  But please know that House Democrats had already taken notice on the federal probe against the Democratic Governor of Puerto Rico almost a year ago, and now they will surely include the case on their ongoing congressional investigation on the US Attorneys scandal.  What's worse, this probe had been ongoin for over 4 years, and the indictment is released during the PA primary.  Four of the indicted are democratic fundraiser from Philladelphia, and the Philly Enquirer broke the news this morning at 6:30 am.  So go figure.  I'm sure all major papers and news outlet in PA will pick the news and highlight the fact that he is a Obama superdelegate.

  Republican dirty trick?  I would not put it pass them.

  Anyway, I doubt the Governor will resign, so it's not a delegate loss for Obama. Obviously, this hurts Obama's campaing in the island, but I don't think it will be a superdelegate loss.

  by PR for Obama on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:50:19 PM PDT

•  Puerto Rico Might Go Clinton Now

  Update II: Another likely super delegate loss for Obama:

  Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila is among several people named in a sealed indictment, officials said Thursday, as U.S. authorities made the first arrests in a long-running probe into his party's finances.

  An Associated Press reporter saw at least five officials from the Popular Democratic Party as they were led in handcuffs into the U.S. federal building in San Juan.

  Acevedo is a Obama super delegate.

  That could be a loss of a lot more than just one superdelegate from Obama. I posted a couple of weeks ago, in "Puerto Rico: 100% Clinton, or... 100% Obama?":

  Puerto Rico's caucus is supposed to award delegates proportionately, but there's a good chance that it's really "winner take all".

  PR is in many ways a satellite of NY, especially when it comes to politics, given the very strong links, and especially when they're consistent with Florida: Hillary Clinton. But PR's governor has endorsed Obama, and he's got the ability to hand out the delegates any way he wants.

  The last primary/caucus of the year, in a state whose people cannot vote for president in the general election. With its two "closest" states won by Clinton through "unnatural means" (a fake "home" state to the senator, and a scammed Florida fake primary), but the caucus itself probably going to Clinton legitimately (though caucuses have been going against her), balanced against the fiat of the governor.

  Election 2008 just doesn't miss a single trick. I hope it doesn't ring the Supreme Court bell, again, too - now that that's an option.

  OK, the next trick it hasn't missed is replacing that Obama-friendly delegate broker with someone else at the last minute. If the new governor pulls those delegates for Clinton (which, if she won the popular vote, would be even more likely, especially under a weak newcomer), then Obama would be looking at a loss of a once-possible 63 PR delegates, with Clinton picking them all up, for a 126 delegate gain for Clinton (plus all the superdelegates.

  Right at the end of the calendar. And suddenly up for grabs, as a long investigation somehow works to Clinton's advantage right when she seems to finally run out of "hope".

  If I were Obama, I'd be looking into how the timing of this sealed indictment was produced. Because it's so convenient for both Clinton and the Republicans that it's awfully suspicious.

  by DocGonzo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:46:53 PM PDT

  •  PR has a primary now

    PR changed to have a primary rather than a caucus, so I don't think it's going to be possible for them to send 100% of the delegates to either candidate. They'll have to adhere to the DNC rules for apportioning delegates according to the primary vote, or face a challenge when they try to seat them.

    Isn't the only reason they got away with the 100% delegations in the past that PR was so late that it didn't matter and no one cared?

    by KCinDC on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 03:00:19 PM PDT

    •  We'll See

      I think PR's 100% apportionment, according to the articles to which I linked, was a function of the "banana republic" nature of politics there (which I've seen firsthand, in my 8-10 visits to the island), protected by its late/irrelevant voting.

      Now we'll see what happens when "the boss" can't hand them out. Perhaps it means the "new boss" will hand them out contrary to the popular vote, perhaps contrary to the old boss' preference for Obama.

      This whole thing is so complicated now that it's anybody's guess, including the people hustling to make shifting deals as pawns get removed from the chessboard.

      by DocGonzo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:10:31 PM PDT