[fieldmarshaldj]

I find it remarkable that someone in consistent major elective office for 40 straight years (20 in the State House, 20 in the U.S. House) would jump into a Senate race to be a minority party backbencher as Cardin would be (contrasting 30 years ago when he was a powerful House Speaker). As is pointed out, he's never really had to wage a competitive race (I'm not sure even his '86 contest to succeed Babs Mikulski was competitive). He probably realizes this is his last hurrah to have an impact statewide (as he passed up a prime opportunity to run for Governor in '02).

[Coop]

203 days until election day.

http://www.steeleformaryland.com/

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I can understand his reasons for wanting to be in the U.S. Senate, but what I don't quite get is the Democrat Party's insistence that he is the best candidate for the office, especially when you have people like Stenny Hoyer, Mike Miller, and the former comptroller (attorney general?) waiting in the wings.

This looks like a seat that the Democrats are trying their best to lose, in spite of all the circumstances working in their favor.