Posted on 11/02/2006 12:07:34 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
Washington — Though political momentum appears to be with Democrats around the country, the trend is going the other way in one solidly blue state, where a Republican candidate is gaining on the favored Democrat in a contest with an unexpected racial twist.
The state is Maryland and the candidate is Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, a black Republican running for the Senate against a white Democratic congressman, Benjamin L. Cardin.
Once trailing by more than 10 points, Steele narrowed the margin to where the race is now considered by some to be nearly a tossup. His recent gains reflect growing dissatisfaction among some blacks toward the state Democratic Party.
On Monday, a group of prominent African American Democrats from Prince George's County in the Washington suburbs crossed party lines to endorse the Republican.
"The [Democratic] Party acts as though when they want our opinion they'll give it to us," said Wayne Curry, the former county executive who led the mutiny. "It will not be like that anymore."
Curry and others complained that although nearly 30% of the state's population and 35% of Democratic voters were African American, too many of the statewide Democratic candidates in this year's election were white.
Endorsing Steele "is a way to say, 'Don't leave Prince George's out, and don't leave African Americans out,' " said county council member David Harrington at a press conference.
Racial tensions in Maryland's Democratic Party have been brewing since earlier this year, when Cardin beat back a primary challenge from former congressman and NAACP leader Kweisi Mfume by a margin of 44% to 41%.
Democratic leaders say that Cardin won because he raised more money than Mfume.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
BUMP FOR MORNING
Instead we get these subtly racist articles about him saying how he brings nothing to the table but the color of his skin. The Klan always was primarily composed of Democrats, I guess. They're just not openly burning crosses now.
I saw Steele on C-SPAN and had the same reaction. He has run a tremendous campaign, as well. I would not be at all surprised to see him as President one day.
And to think , black folks were throwing Oreo Cookies at him at Morgan State Col. just four years ago .
When NAACP leader Kweisi Mfume declared his candidacy for the US Senate, Not one Maryland Democrat Official endorsed him and the media tried to ignore him! Maryland Democrat Officials immediately endorsed candidate Ben Cardin and tried to coronate him. Democrat financial support went to Ben Carin yet Mfume got 41% of the vote to 44%.
Steele is a very impressive man and he is from PG County- if he can carry a good number of votes from there to overcome the rich white libs in Montgomery and the "walking money" political machine in Baltimore city- he's got a good shot at being elected!
The last two polls out show Mr. Steele trailing Mr. Cardin by 5%. However, I believe one of those polls indicates that Mr. Steele is only getting 12% of the black vote.
Anyone believe that?
I think that this race is about tied. Maybe Mr. Cardin is up a percent or two, or maybe Mr. Steele is up a little.
But the momentum is all Mr. Steele's.
I heard a bit on the radio about how Maryland Republican Party "operatives" are being accused of passing around a memo on "suppressing votes"? This may be the last gasp of the Cardin campaign. I don't know if it will gain any traction. If it doesn't, we'll be talking about the Maryland's new US Senator Michael Steele.
I pray that Mr. Steele wins. The democrats have done everything they can to badmouth, disrespect and destroy him.
Quote: "Though political momentum appears to be with Democrats around the country. . . "
Almost stopped reading right there. I don't know, but it seems to me that momentum is being manufactured by the MSM. I don't trust the MSM or its polls. Thus, I have no idea who has momentum. I know this, races that were once done and over with are suddenly well within the MOE. I wonder why that is?
Steele is running one hell of a campaign, but the fraud machine the dems have built in Maryland (drive up registration etc.) is just too much to overcome.
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