Oh well, here's where I am:
9.17.2006
9.13.2006
Maryland Primary - Not all Wrapped Up
Wow, it certainly is lame not having the internet at my apartment. I felt pretty disconnected from a lot of useful resources last night, but no matter.
Here's my take on a few races.
Senate: Ben Cardin
I supported Rep. Cardin's opponent Mr. Mfume, but, just like Mr. Mfume, I think Ben is an good person and that he will make a great senator. Mr. Mfume has not yet directly conceded, but its pretty much over anyway. I hope Mr. Mfume campaigns hard for Cardin, and I am sure that he will. Mr. Cardin's campaign will benefit niceley from the friendly tone this primary race took. Steele will be a challenge, but i think Cardin will have no problem. He has the money and support he needs to stay in the lead through November.
Comptroller: (My GUESS) Peter Franchot
Whether Owens or Franchot wins this one, the big story is the end of Willy Don Schaefer's political career. Thanks for your service Willy, but I can't say I am sad to see you return to the halls of antiquity where Democrats such as yourself belong. Keep a seat warm for Robert Byrd.
If Franchot does win, this is a big victory for Democrats. Owens is sympathetic to Bob Erhlich, Franchot is not. In fact, I voted for Franchot based on a flyer I got in the mail on MONDAY. He claimed to be "the only real DEMOCRAT (and it was in all caps in the ad as well) in the Comptroller race." Well, good work Peter, good luck in the general.
MD-04: (My GUESS) Donna Edwards
Edwards had gotten some netroots support, but the majority of her campaign was run by energetic volunteers on the ground who got out the vote. This is still a very close race, but I think Donna will win. Not one provisional ballot has been counted yet, and the majority of them are in MOCO, Donnas base county. I see Donna taking this seat.
Attorney General: Gansler
I voted for Simms, based on the fact that I thought AA needed some represenation on the Democratic statewide ticket. Gansler had a stronger, longer campaign. If Simms would have gotten in early, things might have gone differently.
What does this say for November. I bet O'Malley is pissing himself right now trying to figure out how he is going to get AA democratic votes out. And who can we really blame for the low turnout that may have led to the all white all male statewide ticket? I think Mr. O'Malley has to shoulder much of the blame. His vicious campaign against Doug Duncan removed the possibilty of a Gubenatorial primary, something that would have brought out thousands more voters to the polls. Not to mention, O'Malley did not trhow his support behind the two major AA candidates, Mfume and Simms. Now, with a extremely un-diverse ticket, the Democratic party in Maryland has some hard campaigning to do to convice AA voters that they will address the concerns of their communities. Cummings, and if she wins, Edwards should be featured prominiently on the campaign trail for Cardin, Gansler, O'Malley and Franchot. It will be fun to watch.
Here's my take on a few races.
Senate: Ben Cardin
I supported Rep. Cardin's opponent Mr. Mfume, but, just like Mr. Mfume, I think Ben is an good person and that he will make a great senator. Mr. Mfume has not yet directly conceded, but its pretty much over anyway. I hope Mr. Mfume campaigns hard for Cardin, and I am sure that he will. Mr. Cardin's campaign will benefit niceley from the friendly tone this primary race took. Steele will be a challenge, but i think Cardin will have no problem. He has the money and support he needs to stay in the lead through November.
Comptroller: (My GUESS) Peter Franchot
Whether Owens or Franchot wins this one, the big story is the end of Willy Don Schaefer's political career. Thanks for your service Willy, but I can't say I am sad to see you return to the halls of antiquity where Democrats such as yourself belong. Keep a seat warm for Robert Byrd.
If Franchot does win, this is a big victory for Democrats. Owens is sympathetic to Bob Erhlich, Franchot is not. In fact, I voted for Franchot based on a flyer I got in the mail on MONDAY. He claimed to be "the only real DEMOCRAT (and it was in all caps in the ad as well) in the Comptroller race." Well, good work Peter, good luck in the general.
MD-04: (My GUESS) Donna Edwards
Edwards had gotten some netroots support, but the majority of her campaign was run by energetic volunteers on the ground who got out the vote. This is still a very close race, but I think Donna will win. Not one provisional ballot has been counted yet, and the majority of them are in MOCO, Donnas base county. I see Donna taking this seat.
Attorney General: Gansler
I voted for Simms, based on the fact that I thought AA needed some represenation on the Democratic statewide ticket. Gansler had a stronger, longer campaign. If Simms would have gotten in early, things might have gone differently.
What does this say for November. I bet O'Malley is pissing himself right now trying to figure out how he is going to get AA democratic votes out. And who can we really blame for the low turnout that may have led to the all white all male statewide ticket? I think Mr. O'Malley has to shoulder much of the blame. His vicious campaign against Doug Duncan removed the possibilty of a Gubenatorial primary, something that would have brought out thousands more voters to the polls. Not to mention, O'Malley did not trhow his support behind the two major AA candidates, Mfume and Simms. Now, with a extremely un-diverse ticket, the Democratic party in Maryland has some hard campaigning to do to convice AA voters that they will address the concerns of their communities. Cummings, and if she wins, Edwards should be featured prominiently on the campaign trail for Cardin, Gansler, O'Malley and Franchot. It will be fun to watch.
9.12.2006
MD Bloggers, UNITE for Fair Elections
Bruce Godfrey of Crablaw says it best.
Nothing is more important to Democracy than fair elections. Montgomery County today did not get a fair election. Maryland bloggers have a responsibility to protect our ourselves, whether we live in MOCO or not. In November the same issue could occur in Baltimore City or Carroll County, in PG County or Frederick County. Any one of our precincts could be next.
Some things need to change before November. First, all polling places must be ready to open with all machines working and all resources available at least a WEEK before the election. For 238 precints to begin the day unprepared is inexcusable.
Second, voters need a paper trail. I deserve to see a simple reciept when I vote, letting me know that my votes were recorded correctly. It must be an anonymous reciept, but a receipt none the less.
I am sure there are many more things that should be and CAN BE fixed before November. Lets figure out what they are and start the push.
By 2008, a lot more can be accomplished, including the passage of a well-crafted, legal early voting bill. We can also work to have a DC like system, where voters have a choice between paper and digital ballots. This is especially important for Senior Citizens and those who are less tech savvy.
Bruce is correct that as a MD problem, Marylanders and specifically MD bloggers have both the local knowledge base and vested interest to take on our Voting problems.
Establishing a voting system in Maryland by 2008 that voters can trust should be our ultimate goal.
Nothing is more important to Democracy than fair elections. Montgomery County today did not get a fair election. Maryland bloggers have a responsibility to protect our ourselves, whether we live in MOCO or not. In November the same issue could occur in Baltimore City or Carroll County, in PG County or Frederick County. Any one of our precincts could be next.
Some things need to change before November. First, all polling places must be ready to open with all machines working and all resources available at least a WEEK before the election. For 238 precints to begin the day unprepared is inexcusable.
Second, voters need a paper trail. I deserve to see a simple reciept when I vote, letting me know that my votes were recorded correctly. It must be an anonymous reciept, but a receipt none the less.
I am sure there are many more things that should be and CAN BE fixed before November. Lets figure out what they are and start the push.
By 2008, a lot more can be accomplished, including the passage of a well-crafted, legal early voting bill. We can also work to have a DC like system, where voters have a choice between paper and digital ballots. This is especially important for Senior Citizens and those who are less tech savvy.
Bruce is correct that as a MD problem, Marylanders and specifically MD bloggers have both the local knowledge base and vested interest to take on our Voting problems.
Establishing a voting system in Maryland by 2008 that voters can trust should be our ultimate goal.
Voting Problems in Maryland Primary
First, head over to dailykos to get the skinny.
This is a huge problem, and Maryland Democrats will not stand for it any longer.
My own voting experience was ok. My precint at Barclay Elemetary was almost empty, but I went early. The machines worked well and I had no problems, other than the fact that I wanted a paper trail.
For others it hasn't been so simple. In Montgomery County, several polling places did not the recieve the cards necessary to use the new Diebold machines. Voters who showed up from 7 AM to 8:30 AM had to wait in line. How many left to make it to work on time is anyone's guess. This is not acceptable in an industrialized Democracy. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN MY STATE OR IN MY AMERICA.
How can we act? Today, we can email the Attorney General of Maryland and ask that they polls be kept open an extra hour to help at least some disenfranchised voters get another chance.
We can't save ourselves before this November. But what we can do is make sure there are Democrats waiting on November to catalog the complaints so we can start to make a case for a Statewide change.
Maryland voters deserve an anonymous paper trail. Maryland voters deserve polls that open on time and stay open all day. Maryland voters deserve to have elections that give them a voice, not take it away. By 2008, Maryland Progressives should get these things for all Maryland voters. Kick it into gear.
UPDATE
MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLLS OPEN UNTIL 9PM/ BALTIMORE CITY POLLS WILL STILL CLOSE AT 8PM
Blogs covering the problems (updated throughout the day):
Political Yak: Votes Not Counted Until Next Week?
DailyKOS: Maryland's Voting Problems
Moco Politics: Complete Meltdown at the BOE
FSP: Election Fiasco in Montgomery
Political Yak: Voting Problems in Montgomery County
Maryland Politics Watch: Election Disaster in Montgomery
DailyKOS: Maryland's Malfunctioning Voting Machines
This is a huge problem, and Maryland Democrats will not stand for it any longer.
My own voting experience was ok. My precint at Barclay Elemetary was almost empty, but I went early. The machines worked well and I had no problems, other than the fact that I wanted a paper trail.
For others it hasn't been so simple. In Montgomery County, several polling places did not the recieve the cards necessary to use the new Diebold machines. Voters who showed up from 7 AM to 8:30 AM had to wait in line. How many left to make it to work on time is anyone's guess. This is not acceptable in an industrialized Democracy. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN MY STATE OR IN MY AMERICA.
How can we act? Today, we can email the Attorney General of Maryland and ask that they polls be kept open an extra hour to help at least some disenfranchised voters get another chance.
How to Contact the Attorney General's Office
Main telephone number
(410) 576-6300 or 1 (888) 743-0023 toll-free in Maryland
TDD: (410) 576-6372
Mailing address
Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Press office
Media only: (410) 576-6357
press@oag.state.md.us
News organizations that wish to receive news releases by e-mail or fax may send an e-mail to press@oag.state.md.us
Consumer questions: consumer@oag.state.md.us
Securities Division: securities@oag.state.md.us
Website problems or comments: webmaster@oag.state.md.us
Other inquiries: oag@oag.state.md.us
We can't save ourselves before this November. But what we can do is make sure there are Democrats waiting on November to catalog the complaints so we can start to make a case for a Statewide change.
Maryland voters deserve an anonymous paper trail. Maryland voters deserve polls that open on time and stay open all day. Maryland voters deserve to have elections that give them a voice, not take it away. By 2008, Maryland Progressives should get these things for all Maryland voters. Kick it into gear.
UPDATE
MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLLS OPEN UNTIL 9PM/ BALTIMORE CITY POLLS WILL STILL CLOSE AT 8PM
Blogs covering the problems (updated throughout the day):
Political Yak: Votes Not Counted Until Next Week?
DailyKOS: Maryland's Voting Problems
Moco Politics: Complete Meltdown at the BOE
FSP: Election Fiasco in Montgomery
Political Yak: Voting Problems in Montgomery County
Maryland Politics Watch: Election Disaster in Montgomery
DailyKOS: Maryland's Malfunctioning Voting Machines
9.11.2006
"Zogby interactive polling candy" Comes in for MD-Sen Race
And this candy as Jerome at mydd.com puts it, is pretty sweet (despite the fact that Mr. Zogby may be using some artifical sweeteners).
Mfume 49.9 %
Steele 39 %
Couple this generous poll against Steele with the most recent Survey USA poll that put Mfume ahead of Cardin by about 4 points, and things are looking better and better for Kweisi.
Where could this boost be coming from? My guess is that Mr. Mfume's new TV ads are working. More and more, his narrative of the Advocate (Mfume) vs the Administrator (Cardin)is resonating with voters, specifically in the Democratic stronghold of PG county.
Both Cardin and Mfume are favorable in the county, but Mfume seems to be seizing the momentum with his ads that stress his own rise from poverty and his promise to be an advocate for voters in MD who feel neglected by the traditional Maryland Machine Democrats (MMD). For example:
The other good news in the article, is that at least in PG county, voters aren't buying Mr. Steele's attempts to paint himself as a moderate.
Some voters already know that there is a Yes-man rubber stamp republican in the race. The narrative exists, Democrats just need to hammmer it home, and I am sure that they will. Now, all that remains is making sure Mfume gets the nomination. Why? Well, the poll numbers above are a good place to start. But more importantly:
Maryland Democrats need a diverse and progressive ticket to combat the extreme right wing we are facing in November. I guess the marching orders will all depend on what happens tomorrow.
Oh yeah, VOTE!! you fools.
Mfume 49.9 %
Steele 39 %
Couple this generous poll against Steele with the most recent Survey USA poll that put Mfume ahead of Cardin by about 4 points, and things are looking better and better for Kweisi.
Where could this boost be coming from? My guess is that Mr. Mfume's new TV ads are working. More and more, his narrative of the Advocate (Mfume) vs the Administrator (Cardin)is resonating with voters, specifically in the Democratic stronghold of PG county.
Both Cardin and Mfume are favorable in the county, but Mfume seems to be seizing the momentum with his ads that stress his own rise from poverty and his promise to be an advocate for voters in MD who feel neglected by the traditional Maryland Machine Democrats (MMD). For example:
Jonn Mack, a firefighter from Upper Marlboro, believes that both leading Democrats in Maryland's race for U.S. Senate would ably represent his interests if elected but that only former NAACP president Kweisi Mfume has the dazzling charisma to bring about real change in Congress.
The other good news in the article, is that at least in PG county, voters aren't buying Mr. Steele's attempts to paint himself as a moderate.
Nash-Thomas said she didn't care which Democrat won nearly as much as she wanted to see one of them replace retiring Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes.
"We don't need someone who is going to be another yes-man rubber stamp for this administration," Nash-Thomas said of Steele.
Some voters already know that there is a Yes-man rubber stamp republican in the race. The narrative exists, Democrats just need to hammmer it home, and I am sure that they will. Now, all that remains is making sure Mfume gets the nomination. Why? Well, the poll numbers above are a good place to start. But more importantly:
Steele's campaign has garnered notice in Prince George's, and his strategy banks on gaining significant support in the county. In part, the voters interviewed believed, he could benefit if the Democrats pick Cardin tomorrow.
"I do worry about a backlash if Mr. Mfume is not the nominee," Boulware said. "We know Mr. Steele is ready for that. His line is going to be, 'Hey, black Democrats, the party has ignored you.' And that will play with a lot of constituencies within the county."
Maryland Democrats need a diverse and progressive ticket to combat the extreme right wing we are facing in November. I guess the marching orders will all depend on what happens tomorrow.
Oh yeah, VOTE!! you fools.
9.07.2006
Debunking "The Path to 9/11"
ABC's mockudrama, The Path to 9/11 is full of lies and untruths.
Check it out.
Check it out.
9.06.2006
Maryland Democrats must Focus on the African-American Vote
A recent Sun Article makes a good point. If the Democratic slate in MD has only white candidates for the most prominent offices, why should we assume that the AA vote can be taken for granted. Obviously we cannot.
As the article points out, the Democratic party in Maryland has failed to pay adequate attention to the concerns of AA voters. Meanwhile the Republican slate is looking increasingly diverse. What can Democrats do to stop the migration of the AA vote?
Well, first, we can vote for AA in the primary. Kweisi Mfume and Stuart Simms are two AA running for statewide office, and with them on the slate, diversity no longer remains as a huge issue. Whether these men win or not, the Democratic party must still court the AA vote.
As dailykos poster ademption has made some great posts and diaries on the Covenant with Black America, the bestselling book and nationwide movement by AA to bring issues important to their National Community to the political forefront. The thing is, these aren't just issues that affect AA, but all lower-to-middle-class Americans. Things like Universal Health care, support for small business, judicial reform, and education reform.
To win back the trust and loyalty of the AA community, the Democratic Party must embrace the CWBA platform and promise to address these issues. Not only should we embrace the issues alone, but with a clear intention to work with CWBA.
Maryland Democrats should have a statewide platform. This platform should include these specific points:
I say the words "talk about" a lot, because all Democrats can do now is talk. The thing is, once we get elected, we actually have to DO these things. Honestly, I think it is a great and very progressive platform. I still need to buy the CWBA book, I recommend that anyone interested in the future of the African-American community and it's relationship with the Democratic party does the same.
As the article points out, the Democratic party in Maryland has failed to pay adequate attention to the concerns of AA voters. Meanwhile the Republican slate is looking increasingly diverse. What can Democrats do to stop the migration of the AA vote?
Well, first, we can vote for AA in the primary. Kweisi Mfume and Stuart Simms are two AA running for statewide office, and with them on the slate, diversity no longer remains as a huge issue. Whether these men win or not, the Democratic party must still court the AA vote.
As dailykos poster ademption has made some great posts and diaries on the Covenant with Black America, the bestselling book and nationwide movement by AA to bring issues important to their National Community to the political forefront. The thing is, these aren't just issues that affect AA, but all lower-to-middle-class Americans. Things like Universal Health care, support for small business, judicial reform, and education reform.
To win back the trust and loyalty of the AA community, the Democratic Party must embrace the CWBA platform and promise to address these issues. Not only should we embrace the issues alone, but with a clear intention to work with CWBA.
Maryland Democrats should have a statewide platform. This platform should include these specific points:
-Maryland Democrats will insure all Marylanders. Federal Candidates should run on Universal Health Care, State candidates on improving health care access for those in our poorest communities.
-Maryland Democrats will ensure a quality education for all Marylanders. Federal candidates should run on increasing federal scholarships to minority students and reforming No Child Left Behind. State candidates should talk up lowering tuition at state colleges and increasing salaries for our educational workers in the trenches, Teachers, Principals, Counselors.
-Maryland Democrats will fix the broken justice system in our state and our country. Federal candidates should talk about increasing funding for effective juvenile justice programs, and possible reform of our outdated drug enforcement policy. State candidates should talk about searching for new alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, restoring the moratorium on the death penalty, about reforming the police system to spend more money on community policing and officer's accountability to the community, and about possible decriminalization of soft drugs such as marijuana.
-Maryland Democrats will make Maryland a powerhouse of Minority Business. Federal Candidates (Mfume is great on this one) should focus on grants for minority business and easing the tax burden on small start ups. State candidates should focus on grants and tax relief for minority business owners
-Maryland Democrats will make your hard work valuable again. Both State and Federal candidates need to talk up a Minimum wage increase big time (Steele says he supports it, but his Governor veto'ed it and Steele stayed quiet). They can also focus on making home ownership more affordable for AA by giving a tax credit to low income home buyers.
-Maryland Democrats will take ALL Maryland citizens fully into the 21st century. Federal candidates should talk about net neutrality and federal grants to AA tech businesses. State candidates can talk about ideas like free wireless for all in certain urban areas, as well as increased technology funding for public schools. The could also talk about increasing scholarships for AA seeking degrees in the tech sector. I don't think it would hurt to propose some sort of program to provide free or heavily discounted pcs and internet service to low income families.
I say the words "talk about" a lot, because all Democrats can do now is talk. The thing is, once we get elected, we actually have to DO these things. Honestly, I think it is a great and very progressive platform. I still need to buy the CWBA book, I recommend that anyone interested in the future of the African-American community and it's relationship with the Democratic party does the same.
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