Sep 12 2006
If Cardin, Then Steele
Maryland was one of the Senate races I picked for a possible GOP pickup (along with WV – ain’t going to happen – NJ, MN and WA – not likely). If Cardin wins, which looks likely, then I think Rep Steele will win in the general election. I live outside DC and the black community around DC wants a strong voice. Right now all they have is Eleanor Holmes Norton, a non-voting rep from DC. Steele would give them a large presence at the national table – one they deserve. A Cardin win should mean a Rep pickup.
Trying to envision Steele in the Congressional Black Causus along with Rangle. Hey at least he doesn’t have to deal with McKinney.
It will be interresting to see if Kweisi Mfume throws his support to Steele. Mfume has been very vocal in his disappointment with the Democratic party in Maryland. Mfume forced Cardin to spend money on the primary that he thought he could save for the General Election. The Dems annoint another old white guy and turn tone deaf to the African American community. I think AJ is right that a much more broader block of conservative, Upper Middle Class++, African American voters exisits in MD that may very well cross lines for the first time. The rise of the African American affluence is also something the MD Democrats are tone deaf to.