Donna Edwards Campaign Kickoff

by: Isaac Smith

Sat Jun 30, 2007 at 21:48:31 PM EDT

Donna 5, originally uploaded by Isaac Smith.

So I went to Watkins Park near Upper Marlboro today to see Donna Edwards start in earnest her campaign to defeat Rep. Al Wynn in 2008. At first, unable to find the gathering, I had thought it had been canceled, due to the intermittent rain. Then I found the right pavilion, and the weather cleared up, so all turned out well.

There were about 60 to 70 people there, with a large grill and a DJ playing R&B. But for the many t-shirts, stickers, and signs emblazoned with "Donna Edwards for Congress," one could have mistaken the event for one of the many other barbeques going on at the park today. The atmosphere was relaxed, but the people there were clearly enthusiastic about seeing Donna, who in her speech came off as personable and down-to-earth -- very unlike the stereotype of the aloof politician.

Flip-Flops

by: Isaac Smith

Sat Jun 30, 2007 at 19:39:01 PM EDT

Flip-Flops, originally uploaded by Isaac Smith.

A table of flip-flops at the campaign kickoff event for congressional candidate Donna Edwards earlier today. Each pair has attached a piece of paper with the present position on a given issue of opponent, Rep. Al Wynn, on the front, and his past position on the back, thus illustrating his many "flip-flops".

MyDD Interview with Donna Edwards

by: Isaac Smith

Fri Jun 29, 2007 at 14:41:56 PM EDT

The folks at MyDD have an interview with netroots darling and local hero Donna Edwards; check it out.

Also, if you're in the neighborhood, head over to Donna's campaign kickoff in Upper Marlboro tomorrow.

Letter from Donna Edwards

by: Isaac Smith

Wed Jun 27, 2007 at 19:24:59 PM EDT

Dear Friend,

 

 We know that this country faces very serious problems.  We are bogged down in Iraq, gas prices are high and we're ruining the world's environment.  Going to the doctor is a nightmare of paperwork and a lot of us cannot  even afford to make an appointment.  Our schools are rundown, our children are struggling, and  our teachers do  more testing than teaching.  Meanwhile, the television is full of unimportant stories about Paris Hilton and celebrity mishaps.

There's a sickness in our country today, a  slow, ill-at-ease feeling, a sense that the big things and the little things  have gone wrong, an understanding that where we need big leadership and  risk-taking, there isn't any, and where we need prudence and caution, we find only greed and a desire to take the easy way out.

Well, I'm not ready to  give up.  That's why I'm running for  Congress again, and that's why I'm asking you to help me change the  country.  It's not enough to elect Democrats, we need to elect  leaders.  Please consider a $100  contribution to help us reach our campaign goal for the quarter ending June  30.  I guarantee you that it will be the proudest investment you'll make  this year.  To reach our goal, we need 100 people to each make a $100  contribution.  I'm asking you to be one of them, and for a very  specific reason. Please contribute today -- and help us reach our 100 new donor goal!

MD-04: It's Not Just About the War

by: Isaac Smith

Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 11:39:54 AM EDT

The Baltimore Sun has a decent rundown of the Al Wynn-Donna Edwards congressional primary, but it's hobbled by the fact that it tries to shoehorn the race into a larger narrative about the Democrats and Iraq. Not that that's unimportant -- the Congressional leadership, including Maryland's own Steny Hoyer, needs to do more to push for withdrawal -- but I don't think it accurately represents the dynamics of the 4th congressional primary. This isn't a replay of Joe Lieberman v. Ned Lamont, to put it simply.

Though it's only mentioned in passing, domestic issues, I think, will be the true battleground here. Anything related to campaign finance reform, in particular, will be especially charged; as Andy pointed out, Wynn's record of dependence on corporate donors ought to be a major vulnerablity for him in his district (as illustrated by this mailing from the last election). I hope future coverage of the race goes in this direction, rather than assuming that, because it's an intra-Democratic fight, it must be about Iraq.

I did like this bit, however:

The problem, says Rep. Albert R. Wynn, is that he believed Vice President Dick Cheney.

So say we all. 

Primary Challenges for Me, but Not for Thee

by: Isaac Smith

Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 12:53:37 PM EDT

Shorter Brian Griffiths: When Republicans mount a primary challenge against one of their incumbents, it's holding their feet to the fire. When Democrats do the same, it's CANNIBALISM! 

Snark aside, I think it's unfortunate that primary challenges are typically greeted with such disdain -- remember how shocked many pundits were at Ned Lamont daring to challenge Joe Lieberman in Connecticut? But there's no reason an incumbent has a right to his party's nomination, any more than he has a right to his office. If Donna Edwards (or Andrew Harris, for that matter) believe that their districts aren't being adequately represented in Congress, then they should have the opportunity to make their case to the voters.

Also, remember that the Maryland 4th is an overwhelmingly Democratic district, so the criteria for what makes a good representative is much different than it would for, say, a Senate race, where one has to account for a variety of political attitudes to appeal to. Here, the primary election is the election, effectively, so the question of who's the better progressive is, ultimately, the only one that matters.

In Case You Haven't Had Enough of the Wynn-Edwards Race

by: Isaac Smith

Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 01:26:55 AM EDT

Matt Stoller lays out the case against Al Wynn, while Markos explains why Donna Edwards is a winning candidate. Art Brodsky weighs in as well.

I agree with pretty much everything they say. Wynn's about face on Iraq is welcome, of course, but it hasn't been accompanied by a shift in domestic policy -- if I'm not mistaken, he hasn't repudiated his votes for ending the estate tax or for revising bankruptcy laws in favor of credit card companies, and he's still in the Verizon/Comcast camp when it comes to net neutrality and other Internet issues. Even on Iraq, keep in mind that Wynn was undecided on the initial supplemental bill this year until he came around at the last minute -- though, to be fair, so were other anti-war Democrats.

One other thing to consider is that, though most observers, including the liberal blogs, are portraying this race as an establishment v. netroots struggle in the mold of Joe Lieberman v. Ned Lamont, the local dimension to the race shouldn't be ignored. Wynn will probably be calling in favors from Maryland's Democratic establishment, and the race will likely split the party in unpredictable ways, as Peter Franchot's endorsement of Wynn already shows. Also note, as Jill Tubman does, that the divide between Wynn and Edwards mirrors a divide between the older African-American political establishment, the Congressional Black Caucus in particular, and younger black activists. This is very much reflected in Prince George's County, which covers much of the 4th District and is majority African-American: In addition to nearly tossing out Wynn last year, voters there almost replaced County Executive Jack Johnson, whose cloud of corruption is nearly as big as Wynn's, with former Del. Rushern Baker. However, both challengers were rare exceptions in a county where most incumbents face little opposition in the Democratic primary, and certainly none in the general. If Edwards can pull off a victory this time around, it could spell a shift toward more open, accountable government in Prince George's and in Maryland. 

Al Wynn: So Many PACs, So Little Time

by: Andrew Kujan

Tue Jun 12, 2007 at 15:32:08 PM EDT

Doing some digging into the campaign finance reports for Al Wynn and Donna Edwards is revealing.  But nothing is more illustrative of the influence of corporate money on Congressman Wynn's votes than the list of PAC money he took from 2005-2006.

The list is huge. All your favorites are there, AT&T, Disney, Constellation Energy (Wynn really raked it in from them, to the tune of over $10,000) and numerous other energy companies, every business interests group you can imagine, Raytheon (the weaponmaker) is there too, and lets not forget Wal-mart, Pfizer, and Nuclear energy lobbyists.  

Of course, he gets money from the unions, the CBC, and some paltry cash from the DCCC.  Wynn doesn't need the Democratic infrastructure to get elected though, he can use his near $500,000 from big business every several years to do that.

Donna's report, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air comparably.

Why is Peter Franchot "Supercharged" for Wynn?

by: Andrew Kujan

Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 12:34:04 PM EDT

So it's official, Peter Franchot has endorsed Al Wynn:

‘‘Al Wynn is clearly supercharging his campaign,” Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said at Friday’s breakfast. He’s already endorsing Wynn for his ninth term in office.

Most likely Wynn is supercharging his campaign full of pac money from numerous nefarious sources:

I'll have a lot more on this soon, but I would encourage you, if you think he's changed, to take a look through his FEC filings this year. 

Walmart, AT&T, Bellsouth, Firstenergy, T-Mobile, Pfizer, Edison Electric, Progress Energy, Sallie Mae, the US Chamber of Commerce.

Not surprising for Wynn to have close ties to Wal-Mart, big telcos, and seedy business interests.  It is however, shocking to see Comptroller Peter Franchot along for the ride.

Al Wynn and Harold Ford Jr : DINOs Flock Together in Support of Endless War

by: Andrew Kujan

Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 16:34:38 PM EDT

So today, Al Wynn (MD-04, DINO) kicked off his congressional campaign in style, surrounded (disappointingly so) with progressives from around the state, including Doug Gansler, Jack Johnson, and Peter Franchot.

Figures that the least progressive person in attendance, failed Senatorial candidate, DLC shill, Clinton apologist, and Iraq War cheerleader Harold Ford Jr., was the keynote speaker.

What rousing message did Harold Ford Jr. have for the committed liberal democrats of MD-04?

Ford, meanwhile, offered scathing criticism of how President Bush has managed the war, but specifically noted "I don't think we can leave Iraq right away." Ford went on to say, "As much as didn't do it right, we have to get it right because there are people over there who want to do us harm."

Wynn, always a big fan of right wing talking points, ate this bullshit up with a spoon.  

In an interview, Wynn called Ford "a tremendous young talent in our party." Wynn said he believed Ford made it clear he wants the United States out of Iraq, but "he also made it very clear that we need to think beyond cliches. My race is not going to be a bunch of cliches...We're going to talk about issues, substance and policy. We're going to try to bring some depth to how we deal with the 21st century."

Thats right, all of you Democrats who have been trying to end the war in Iraq are dealing in "cliches."  Mr. Wynn has a real handle on this complicated situation, just leave it to him and Harold Ford to capitulate to the President on Iraq (and whatever terrible economic policy he proposes as well).

But hey, this is the real Al Wynn.