Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 10:59 PM Apr 2016

Choosing Van Hollen over Edwards means one thing and one thing only:

The Maryland Democratic establishment was able to make the case that the part could only hold the Senate seat by nominating a bland, corporate white candidate.

As a result, it's very likely no person of color will ever even bother running for anything above the level of a state legislative or U.S. House seat in Maryland again. Why should any of them ever try to be senator or governor again. since this is result proves what is always going to happen if they do?

Way to drive straight back into the dead, hopeless past, folks.

Way to guarantee your state will never ever make history, will never be part of building a just transformative future.

Way to tell every POC in MD that they will never, ever be seen as good enough.

No greater progressive good can possibly be served by this cowardly, retrograde decision.





17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

CobaltBlue

(1,122 posts)
1. No
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:05 PM
Apr 2016

The Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee [PAC] was against Donna Edwards.

I think what went on was that Edwards did not play ball (as does Chris Van Hollen).

I did not have much interest in this primaries race because—like the rest of 95+ percent elected members of the Democratic Party—Donna Edwards endorsed not Bernie Sanders but Hillary Clinton.

I don’t have anything good to say about the establishment of this party. (It is more a club.)

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
8. I know about the CBC-PAC decision.
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:26 PM
Apr 2016

It was largely taken because CBC-PAC is led by the former congressman Donna beat in the primary a few yearss ago. The guy used his clout in the PAC to get payback.

As a result, the nominee is Chris Van Hollen, an unnoticeable hack who has never stood up and fought for anybody or anything.

There aren't even any votes he can get in the fall that Donna couldn't have counted on winning.

Beowulf

(761 posts)
11. I think she endorsed Hillary in order to get the endorsement from Emily's List
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:55 PM
Apr 2016

and the large contribution that followed. Also, wasn't Van Hollen on Hillary's enemies list for endorsing Obama in 2008?

MADem

(135,425 posts)
2. I really liked Edwards, but I'm not from MD and I don't presume to ascribe any motives to anyone.
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:06 PM
Apr 2016

I think it's kind of ugly to do that, too--to play that race game without knowing. Those are hideously ugly accusations you are making and big accusations require Big Proof. I don't see you bringing anything but your "opinion" about "POC."

I'd rather hear from some black Marylanders, rather than you.



Bluntly--if you're not from MD, I think it's poor form to comment like that.

It looks like you're trying to drive a "racial wedge" through the party without knowing the particulars of the campaign.

Why would anyone want to do such a thing?

 

Press Virginia

(2,329 posts)
4. Her campaign was basically that she was a black woman
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:08 PM
Apr 2016

She wasn't very strong on the issues and never really connected with people

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
10. She's a progressive black woman and Van Hollen is a bland, priviliged suburban centrist.
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:44 PM
Apr 2016

That's what matters. She has a living history of facing oppression and Van Hollen has a living history of never facing any obstacles at all.

 

CobaltBlue

(1,122 posts)
6. Yes
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:10 PM
Apr 2016

Absolutely.

There are people who are voting for Hillary Clinton because they want to experience living to see someone who is female elected to—and in office as—the president of the United States.

Consider more demographics as well.

My point: Yes, this is real. One has to take it on a case-by-case basis when questioning whether this is for the best. (Meaning, the best choice in a respective election race.) But, make no mistake: This is real. And I do understand.

 

Press Virginia

(2,329 posts)
7. basically you want voters to put less thought into their vote for senator
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:24 PM
Apr 2016

than people did when they voted for contestants on American Idol.

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
9. No one is saying don't think- but that thought should include the need to make history.
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:39 PM
Apr 2016

Now, the Maryland Senate race will be nothing but a passionless, issueless, ambition and personality contests. No one's life can be changed by the result there, no one can be inspired, no one will really even care who wins this(don't worry-the Dems were and are always totally certain of carrying the seat, btw-Van Hollen was never the only Dem who could win).

This race matters now solely in terms of numerical party control only.

Van Hollen simply didn't have anything superior to offer.

 

Press Virginia

(2,329 posts)
14. Her campaign was about her being a black woman
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 12:22 AM
Apr 2016

The voters rejected it.
If she'd actually run on issues and connected with the voters her skin color and gender would have been a bonus.

raging moderate

(4,281 posts)
5. Don't give up! We're coming! Tens of thousands of us!
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:08 PM
Apr 2016

I just moved to Maryland! Maybe I'm not brilliant or anything, but I could see that Donna Edwards deserved my vote. And I will help vote in the next Black senator or governor here in this state! And there are a lot more like me! At least in that respect! And besides, new people are growing up every day, and the word is that this generation really is more enlightened generally.

elleng

(130,156 posts)
12. As so often, it's 'establishment' v other.
Fri Apr 29, 2016, 11:58 PM
Apr 2016

Imo she had to compromise in some ways, and the cbc compromised her out. Lots of disappointments for my state.

madinmaryland

(64,920 posts)
17. I can't say that for sure. I left Maryland three years ago, and of the two, I knew who Van Hollen
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:33 PM
Apr 2016

was, but was not familiar at all with Donna Edwards. I assume she was either from PG County or the Baltimore area, but I really heard nothing about her. With Van Hollen, he was minority whip and as such was much more visible, though not nearly as visible as my own US Representative was and still is. Elijah Cummings.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Maryland»Choosing Van Hollen over ...