This thread means no disrespect against Mfume, but I'm being as pragmatic as possible: I will NOT sacrifice a potentially-safe race for a tossup.
Cardin and Mfume are both reasonably progressive. They both oppose the war and support withdrawal. Cardin voted for ADA 95% of the time in 2005, and with People for the American Way 94% of the time in 2001-2002 (most of his year-to-year records are mostly above 90%.) Unfortunately, I can't find a comparative score for Mfume, but I'm sure that he ranks similarly.
Unfortunately, considering the baggage that Mfume has (arguable of course, but do you really think that voters in swing counties will know after a barrage of Steele ads against a candidate who has raised only a few hundred thousand dollars?)
Cardin, for example, leads Steele by TEN POINTS (49%-39%) in a new Washington Post poll, while Mfume only leads by three (46%-43%.) Polls have consistently shown a similar trend: Cardin leads Steele by margains that would put this seat into safe range, while Mfume leads anemically or has often TRAILED Steele. I ask Kossacks, especially MD Kossacks: Why blow this opportunity? Why create another tossup when we could sew this up? Money being spent to help Mfume is money that could have been spent against Burns or Kyl or Allen or DeWine. Cardin has a lot more money and more support, and will make it easier for the DSCC and DNC (and for us, so we can donate to other races.)
http://wjz.com/...