I donated $100 to Donna Edwards (progressive D) who is challenging Al Wynn (conservative D)

[Eric J in MN]

There is a primary for US Congress in Maryland in a few months, and we have a chance to replace a conservative Democrat with a progressive Democrat.

From Down with Tyranny

(Al Wynn) often votes with the Republicans on issues effecting energy industries and was one of the disgraceful batch of Democrats that joined the GOP to vote yes on the odious and blatantly unfair bankruptcy bill and FOR repealing the Estate Tax. He was also the lead Democrat in trying to gut the Shays-Meehan bill banning soft money from politics and was one of the minority of Democrats in the House who supported Bush's unjustified attack on Iraq.

...(Donna Edwards) helped pass the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, providing comprehensive funding for shelter and services for victims of domestic violence and their children, something that has been targeted for extinction by Bush and his rubber-stamp Congress. She has been very active in citizen-initiated efforts to reform the grotesquely anti-democratic campaign finance system and lobbying laws, first with Public Citizen and then as the executive director for the Center for a New Democracy. Since 2000 she's been the executive director of the Arca Foundation and she's made a great reputation for herself working with grassroots groups to support living wage campaigns, to reinforce the importance of an independent judiciary, on protecting Social Security and supporting labor and human rights...

I donated through Atrios' Act Blue page:
http://www.actblue.com/page/eschatonc08

You can also donate at Donna Edwards' website:
http://www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com/

[ClassWarrior]

1. Here's a great place to start fixing the Dem Congress.

Because, contrary to popular opinion around here, it ain't gonna happen by wailing and gnashing one's teeth and screaming about how we're all doomed. It's gonna happen by supporting Progressive Dems like Ms. Edwards.

Thanks Eric! :hi:

NGU.

[Eric J in MN]

2. Yes, primary-ing conservative Democrats in districts...

...which would elect a liberal is the way to go.

[ClassWarrior]

3. So where are all the blowhards who have a problem with the Dem Congress?

I agree, they're MIA on the big issues. (See my signline below.) So here's an excellent solution! Why do I hear crickets?...

NGU.

[Eric J in MN]

4. This is a rematch. Very close last time.

From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Edwards

"The primary was held on September 12; Wynn defeated Edwards, by 49.7 percent to 46.4 percent -- by 2,725 votes out of more than 82,000 cast. George McDermott, a little-known candidate, took 3.9 percent. The final tally of the primary was unclear for nearly two weeks because of widespread voting problems on new electronic voting machines in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties."

http://www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com

[Eric J in MN]

5. kick

kick

[Eric J in MN]

10. kick

kick

[Eric J in MN]

11. kick

kick

[yellowcanine]

6. This is the first time I have seen Al Wynn described as a "conservative Democrat"

I think that is a bit simplistic. From what I have heard, Donna Edwards may be an attractive candidate and she did well in 2006. But I think it is best to stick to the issues rather than applying labels. (I am not in that district so I have no dog in this fight).

[Eric J in MN]

7. Voting for repealing the estate tax, and for the Iraq War, and...

...against Net Neutrality, is enough for me to call someone a conservative Democrat.

[Arugula Latte]

8. Good. Put these Bush-enabling Dems on notice.

Just because they have a D by their name does not mean they get an automatic pass.

[Carrieyazel]

9. Al Wynn has much in common with Hillary Clinton. No real convictions.

Same type of politician. He very nearly got taken out in the last primary. But Edwards gets a second chance two years later. If we fail to take out Hillary in the primaries, we don't get a second chance.