Black caucus PAC shuns endorsement of Donna Edwards

[Truprogressive85]

The political action committee behind the Congressional Black Caucus passed on endorsing Rep. Donna Edwards in her Maryland Senate primary — a public snub of the African-American lawmaker who has a contentious relationship with many of her colleagues.
The CBC PAC voted late Thursday evening during a hastily called meeting to table the question of endorsing Edwards in her primary challenge against Rep. Chris Van Hollen, according to a half-dozen sources familiar with the meeting.
Story Continued Below
The endorsement is unlikely to be voted on again, multiple members of the PAC’s board said.
Passing on an endorsement for a fellow black caucus lawmaker in a competitive primary is unusual for the CBC PAC. Sources said the PAC felt uncomfortable giving Edwards a nod of support after hearing from local elected African-American officials in Maryland who support Van Hollen.
Sources said former Rep. Al Wynn — whom Edwards unseated in 2008 — noted her lack of endorsements among black officials in the state, making the case that the CBC PAC should not trump the opinion of local elected representatives.
“The room accepted this as reasonable,” said one Democratic lawmaker in attendance. “It is premature to weigh in when black leadership is heavily leaning toward Van Hollen.”
The sources said Edwards’ troubled relationship with many of her black caucus members was also a factor.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/black-caucus-pac-donna-edwards-219214#ixzz3zzkIGIHK

[bravenak]

1. I need my hosting privilege back I think

[MADem]

2. Kick and rec for more discussion. nt

[Truprogressive85]

3. What are you talking about ?

[bravenak]

4. When black issues arise this group gets busier

And nobody is here. So, I need them back maybe.
But me hosting causes more visitors so maybe not that sucks.

[qwlauren35]

5. I saw this coming.

Back in April, several CBC members said that they would not endorse her, and that they did not like her. This comment that several black officials in Maryland like Van Hollen is messy. Early in the race, the County Executive for Montgomery County, where Van Hollen is from, endorsed him. No surprise. But then the County Executive from PG County, where Edwards is from, endorsed Van Hollen also. The County Council split, the women endorsing Edwards, the men endorsing Van Hollen. Ever since then, Marylanders have watched the crazy polarization, because both Edwards and Van Hollen are well liked progressive Democrats. There was a woman, I don't remember her name, who chastised the black men who would not support Edwards. I think there has been some pause after that.

But the big thing is Cummings. Now that Elijah Cummings is not running for Senate, everyone wants to know who he'll endorse. Supposedly hell will break lose if he endorses Van Hollen, but this thing with the CBC suggests that Cummings does not want to endorse Donna... so the CBC also cannot.

Very, very messy.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

6. This hurts my heart, as I am a Donna Edwards supporter. Van Hollen is o.k. I guess they're being

strategic, believing that Van Hollen will win. Perhaps they feel that Donna needs more time.

I don't like how the Maryland leadership is treating her.

Ike Leggitt, the MoCo CEO has always been in Van Hollen's corner.

Rashern Baker, the CEO of Prince George's County has too.

Montgomery and PG County are the two largest counties in the state, both CEOs are black men.

I do think sexism could be playing a role but I do understand why they may sincerely feel that Van Hollen is a better candidate. I don't agree but that's the way it goes.

As for that slime ball Al Wynn, he needs to just shut the fuck up. She kicked his ass fair and square.

[qwlauren35]

7. As for needing more time...

You can't run for two offices at the same time in Maryland, so if she loses the Senate race, she's out of politics for a while.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. True. Something to think about for sure.

[Recursion]

10. Where was CBC on Mfume vs. Cardin?

I remember lots of people being pissed off about that primary but not the specifics.

[mgmaggiemg]

9. what to say

except ..keep calm people are individuals and no one is in complete consensus; it's better to stand back and look at the whole picture....than put too much weight or too much meaning on any one decision or endorsement or non endorsement....

[kwassa]

11. Endorsements may not make a difference.

Donna is still polling well. She surprised everyone when she beat Wynn. She still could surprise.