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Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 09:01 AM EST
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( - promoted by Isaac Smith)
Here's a report from MD-04, for those interested in the Congressional Democratic primary race between incumbent Albert Wynn and challenger Donna Edwards. It is a transcript of a robocall left on my answering machine on Weds. 19Dec2007, recorded by His Corporateness himself, and my Congressman, Albert Wynn:
Hello,
This is Congressman Albert Wynn, {and} I would like your support in the upcoming election on February 12th, 2008. Our country needs a new direction. I share your frustration with this senseless war, and I will keep fighting to bring our troops home safely. On education, I want to overhaul No Child Left Behind, with fewer tests, more federal money, vocational programs, and anti-dropout programs. For safer neighborhoods, I fought for federal money for more cops on the street, and intervention programs for first offenders. One of the major assets I offer is my seniority. For example, I obtained $3 million to fight gangs, $1.5 billion* for construction of the new Woodrow Wilson bridge, funds for diabetes screening, and funds for ex-offender re-entry programs. I hope I can count on your support on February 12th, and I'd like to wish you and your family a great holiday season. Thank you.
*[Might have been 'million', but I think 'billion' is right (message recorded on an old tape in an old answering machine; audio fidelity leaves something to be desired). The WW Bridge rebuilding is a huge effort, so $1.5B would be a more realistic cost.]
A couple-three musings on this are provided below the fold... |
| MurlandGuy :: Report from MD-04: Pre-holiday robocall from Albert Wynn |
I am curious as to whether this same message was left throughout all of MD-04, or whether there are (or will be) geographic variants. As a resident living roughly in the center of MD-04 - sort of south central Prince George's County (near Rosecroft Racetrack, for those who know the area) - where (I think) Mr. Wynn's traditional support base is located, it seems like a well crafted appeal. Beyond the now almost universal desire for everyone to get out of Iraq, would this collection of issues work as well further north, in Montgomery County, which is on average more affluent, less African-American, and has a better school system?
Notwithstanding Mr. Wynn's hyperbole in claiming that "he" obtained $1.5B for the new Wilson bridge, the bridge is a big thing for those of us living near it, since many of us use it to go into Virginia for work and/or shopping at the more upscale stores; in fact the lack of development and upscale shopping has been a campaign issue in Statehouse races in this area in the past, with the usual issues of class and race cited. This is not so much the case in Montgomery County, where there is greater development and shopping along the Rockville Pike corridor, and more convenient ways available for getting into Virginia (American Legion bridge, or through DC itself).
On education, Mr. Wynn clearly feels that he has a record worth bragging on - see for example this post discussing a Wynn mailer sent out earlier this year. PG County has been wrestling with challenges in its public schools for at least as long as I've been here (since the mid-80's), so there is always interest in the topic in these parts.
I did notice there is at least one big topic NOT mentioned, which is the growing crisis in home financing. I've read that foreclosure rates are increasing significantly in this area. Whether Mr. Wynn feels it isn't a big enough issue to be worth addressing (yet), or whether he'd rather not get into a discussion where his vote for the Bankruptcy Bill can be brought up by Donna Edward, I cannot say. But it is a curious omission, IMHO.
With a primary in a matter of weeks, looks like things will be heating up around here right after New Year's Day.
Happy Holidays to all! |
| Poll |
| What do people in/around MD-04 think will be major campaign issues in the Democratic primary for Congress? [Please add anything I missed to comments.] |
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