Donna Edwards Kicks Off Her Campaign on Saturday

I am about to go out town on vacation and wanted to post something before I go with the wife and kitties. And the only thing I have is the announcement about Donna's campaign kick-off. If someone is going to see it maybe you can post some comments here. (Heck, maybe even her opponent, the incumbent, will post here.)

As much as I as dislike Wynn's positions -- past and present, I am not 100% sold on Donna Edwards as the best choice to replace Wynn. But for the 2008 Race this is only choice, provided you are not on the George Mitchell bandwagon. I know that this will shock, absolutely shock regular readers of this blog based on my direct hits to Wynn. But I will save my concerns about Donna until I see her in person circa 2007/8. As for Wynn, I have seen him too many times -- past and present.

Have a good week without my thoughts on life in the Middle Kingdom.

MCM

Excuse #1001 of why Al Wynn is in over his head

This is my second straight (and three out of four) posting(s) about our overmatched Congressman Al Wynn. I was catching up with my blog reading when I cam across this fine post over at Free State Politics on MoCo/PGs answer to a big city pol, Al Wynn.

Look at the link to the Baltimore Sun article that the blog author Isaac Smith mentions. Generally the Sun article is good and on point. But.... Memo to Sun reporter, Matthew Hay Brown, Takoma Park is NOT in CD-04. Almost all of unincorporated Takoma Park is in CD-04 when people talk of Takoma Park they don't immediately think of the unincorporated parts over the city itself. Also the portions of MoCo that Wynn represents has the highest concentrations of African-Americans in the county.

The lead is a great eye catcher, Wynn says Cheney lied to him. News flash -- that is not news. Anyone who has been in politics for more than twenty four hours ought to expect people to stretch the truth to make their case. Cheney and Bush did it on Iraq and a host of issues. And past Administrations have stretched the truth to make their point too. So for Wynn and all the other DINOs you should not be able to hide behind that lame excuse. You are in politics for goodness sake and people will try and get something over on you in a New York minute.

The fact that Wynn and a whole host of other DINOs voted for the war is sad. But for them to start saying "the Administration lied" is yet another reason to find new leadership. I do not want to have someone represent me in Congress who can be so easily fooled.

I expect my Congressman to be willing to do his own thinking and on this one -- the most important vote any member of Congress can make, that is sending men and women off to war and to not study the details to its very core means that Congressman Wynn did not do his homework and therefore American lives were lost. He is responsible; not wholly but he had a vote at the table and he failed to use his one vote wisely. And for that reason alone he should go.

I remember reading that US Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois announced this spring that he voted against the war in 2002 because of what he found when he was a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and what they learned there was at odds with what the Administration was telling the American people. Now I know that Wynn is not in the Senate and he was not on the House Intelligence Committee but I think a phone call to a fellow Democrat either in the House or in the Senate who sat in the Intelligence Committee hearings and ask them for their input would have been of great help. Did Wynn talk to Durbin or members of the House Intelligence Committee? I say "no" because he listened to Cheney ... oh and Cheney lied. [See news flash at the top]

Wynn was out findings ways to give tax breaks to the wealthy and to the oil and gas industry. And yet who was going to do the fighting and dying in Iraq? Iraqi citizens and American soldiers. And considering that African-Americans, poor whites and Hispanics make up the bulk of our troops then here is a member of Congress in a district created specifically in 1992 to represent the interests of African-Americans and when the biggest vote of his career is in front of him does he go and talk to members of his own party about the war. No Wynn tells us that "Cheney lied".

You are an idiot Albert Wynn. Please close the door as you leave. You have no business being a member of Congress. You are not representing your District. Oh sure you can change course now and say that the vote was the "biggest mistake of your career" (no argument there) but your vote caused people to lose their lives. You did not do your homework. You believed someone (Cheney) who represented the polar opposite of your constituents.

Please leave. Now.

Wynn Announces For Congress; How I Learned to Stop Worrying ...

... and Learn to Love your new Congressman

I file this week's political news under the heading Dr. Strangelove. That seems to fit with Al Wynn's announcement for Congress. Wynn made an extra special trip to MoCo to let us know that he is indeed running. Problem is he made announcement in Van Hollen's District and then clearly posted it on his web site. The Shady Grove Metro and the Silver Spring Metro are in Congressional Eight and not Wynn's Four; also the J2 Bus he took from Bethesda to downtown Silver Spring goes along E-W Highway which also is in District Eight. Maybe he should get a map to see what he does represent in MoCo.

Ah but I say "Don't Worry MoCo residents and learn to love your new Congressman". Who says Wynn is not a modern man? He truly is a modern incarnation of LBJ whose motto was "anything that touches my district is mine too". Don't Worry MoCo residents you haven't lost Chris but you have gained PG kingmaker Albert. He is a born-again Progressive Democrat that makes us all proud. After all Wynn is now part of the Out of Iraqi Caucus and his weekly Congressional emails make him sound as if he is a long-time Deaniac so he must be a friend of progressives?

I say "Don't Worry and Learn To Love" the new Wynn, not the old PG Boss Wynn. This is what I saw or was told about Wynn's MoCo Manic Monday. The folks who have joined the Albert Wynn train either by attending his announcements (in MoCo or PG last week) or by endorsing him reads like a good start of local politicos: County Executive Leggett, AG Gansler, Comptroller Franchot, Sen. Hogan, Delegates Barkley, King, Ali, Mizeur and Manno.

Wynn had the entire District 39 slate of Sen. Hogan and Delegates Barkley, King and Ali at the Shady Grove event. No surprise there. It is the area furthest from Edwards' home in Fort Washington and as a local official it is better to support the incumbent than make an enemy of someone you may need to ask a favor of. Maybe MDHawk can add some insight into the workings of District 39 as I believe he is a Wynn supporter if I am reading Daily Kos correctly.

Wynn also has the endorsement of Comptroller, and former Delegate, Peter Franchot. Franchot represented downtown Silver Spring and Takoma Park. Franchot got key support from the leadership in Prince Georges County in his run last September and what can be more leadership than Boss Wynn. (I don't recall if Wynn endorsed Franchot in 2006 but I would not be surprised.) They have shared a key aide in Craig Zucker. Zucker was Franchot's chief aide in the primary and now works for him. Craig previously worked for Wynn in his MoCo district office.

So what makes this week so Kubrick-esk, you ask? Seeing new Delegate and Ms. Progressive Heather Mizeur supporting Wynn. So what to make of Delegate Mizeur's support of Wynn? I say "Don't Worry and Learn To Love your New Congressman". Who cares if most of your liberal supporters in District 20 dislike Wynn with a passion go ahead and endorse him and be among the first to do so.

Note to MoCo: Weren't you the one who blasted Tom Hucker in this blog for cozying up to Ida G? Will you do the same to Heather for her equally non-progressive move?

Some may question why a good liberal would support Wynn and I say "Learn To Love Your New Progressive Congressman". I will say this about Wynn's supporters both publicly and privately they have been drinking from the same Kool-Aid. They have GOP's mantra down pat -- stay on message. Look over at the Daily Kos and you will see that the Wynn apologists are speaking with one voice -- He has learned his lesson and don't give up his seniority. So Wynn must be the newest member of the 21st Century Democrats.

I say "Don't Worry and Learn To Love Your New Congressman". He has all of his responses down pat. Wynn is setting the record straight on his own web site. Go through his Fact Vs. Fiction and you will see that everything response tells you what he has down recently (good it is current; but bad because he is fails to mention that he USED to support those same things pre-September 2006).

The remake of Dr. Strangelove could be made about Maryland CD Four.

Movin' Out

I took over this blog back in the frantic days of August, 2006, shortly before the September primaries. As did the original blogger, I remained anonymous. I stated, however, that if I felt my affiliations got in the way of good blogging and calling it like I see it, then I would give it up.

Well, that time has come. Between some political issues and my own personal constraints (work, time, etc.), I don't feel like I can continue to do this effectively. I've thought about it quite a bit over the past three weeks (no posting) and have concluded that it's time to retire, at least from this blog.

When I came in, it was as a result of a "public offer" to take it over. I will extend the same offer -- if you want the keys to the car known as MoCoPolitics, send me an e-mail stating, in 100 words or less, why you think you should get it. If no one wants it, I will shut the blog down, effective one week from today (June 22). If I don't like any of the offers, I reserve the right to shut it down regardless, so make your best pitch. E-mail address is mocopolitics@yahoo.com.

It's been a fun ride, but it's time to bring the curtain down. See ya.

June Polling Results

This month's polling results (May and April in parentheses for comparison):

Joe Biden 0 (1, 0)
Hillary Clinton 5 (1, 3)
Chris Dodd 0 (1, 0)
John Edwards 4 (8, 12)
Dennis Kucinich 1 (0, 1)
Barack Obama 13 (5, 15)
Bill Richardson 6 (8, 5)

Cumulative totals:

Joe Biden 1 (1.1%)
Hillary Clinton 9 (10.1%)
Chris Dodd 1 (1.1%)
John Edwards 24 (27.0%)
Dennis Kucinich 2 (2.2%)
Barack Obama 33 (37.1%)
Bill Richardson 19 (21.3%)

I think the most interesting thing here is not either Obama or Edwards, but Clinton and Richardson, particularly the latter. It's not THAT surprising that Hillary did poorly in an online poll, as most of her support comes from folks not very likely to even be here. OTOH, Richardson showed strong online support, and that may bode well for his VP chances down the road.

Poll will be reset shortly. Bigger news to follow as well.

Oh Where Oh Where Has Our Leadership Gone??

Here is something that popped up in the Gazette on the County Delegation Leadership in Annapolis. In a very nice way the article says that there is no leadership from the Delegation. Let's look behind the article. This should get some views and some comments....

Because my comments are going to be long this will be a two part, maybe three parter.

Part I: The State Senate
The State Senate President calls us a fantasy land. And this is a compliment? ‘‘It’s like Never Neverland for other legislators of the state,” Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach.

Miller is more than the Senate President. He is THE SENATE. He calls the shots. He has a building named after him for gosh sakes and he is not dead. That tells you alot.

Why are we fantasyland? We are large, vote overwhelmingly for one party, are active and we contribute to campaigns. Heck the only time I ever see a statewide (read Baltimore) politician in MoCo is when they are trolling for votes/money. O'Malley was born here and is anyone in his inner circle from MoCo? (read "lives" here, not "lived" here)

So let's get off of O'Malley's back and back to Mr. Senate, who really is #2 in the state, not the LG. Would Miller say that if he knew he would be blasted by one of his colleagues? I doubt it. Then again he is THE Senate and can do what he pleases.

Still tell me who is the shining star of the Senate from MoCo? From the recent past, Van Hollen was and Ida G. was NOT. Of the 8 Senators, mind you the largest delegation in the state, who do we have?

The Player
Rob Garagiola, District 15, Potomac, Poolesville and Germantown (parts). Rising star according to the Gazette and conveniently posted on Rob's campaign site. (Of course I would do the same as well.)

The Pretender
In the words of Jackson Brown: "Are you there?, Say a prayer for the pretender, Who started out so young and strong, Only to surrender" We have....

Brian Frosh, District 16, Bethesda and Chevy Chase is a chair of the Judiciary Committee but when it was time to lead on an issue -- he who claims he is the "great liberal" -- took a drive because Miller and the #2's #2 Mac Middleton told him to do it. For details click here and Battle Over Rights Continues.

The Mod Squad
Aka the rookies, Mike Lenett, Jamie Raskin and Rich Madaleno the latter two seem like they are going to be winners. But Lenett had a rough first session. MoCo wrote about the session here.

The Leftovers
... aren't touched for a reason. No one wants them. They are: Jennie Forehand, former GOP staffer/ campaign operative, P.J. Hogan, and Republican in the making, Rona Kramer.

Let's see we have Forehand and Hogan, who is the County Delegation Chair, with three full terms each and Kramer with one full term and what do we get from them? Absolutely nothin' BTW, Kramer serves as MoCo's Senate Delegation Vice Chair. Which is why she is grouped with folks that have more time than her.

Here's why I say that. Got back to the basis of this post -- Leadership for MoCo in Annapolis. The Gazette wrote it very nicely but it shows up in spades when you look at who is doing what.

Here is what Ike was quoted as saying on the Delegation's leadership:

‘‘I’m not sure,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D). ‘‘I think we have the leadership. I think we have the numbers.” Translation: no one is protecting MoCo in AnPo

In the next paragraph we have this written by the author:

"Some say the delegation’s past performance leaves something to be desired when it comes to bringing dollars home." Translation: Duh!

Followed by this:

"While Montgomery has stepped into more fiscal and statewide leadership positions, Baltimore is still seen as carrying a bigger stick in the legislature." Translation: we are still getting our heads handed to us. It reminds me of this scene from Animal House where the pledges are getting spanked with wooden and paddles and Kevin Bacon's character replies to each whack with "Thank you sir, may I have another!" That's our Senate Delegation.

More from the Gazette article:
"The [Montgomery County] delegation is not the strongest delegation in the state," said Marvin Weinman, president of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League and co-chairman of the public finance committee for the county civic federation. "Obviously, Baltimore city gets a lot.”

So we can't hold a candle to the Baltimore Delegation. Humm who is to blame for the lack of leadership in the Senate for MoCo. Has to be among the 8. Who do you choose?

I say it is the folks that have been there the longest and done the least. I say it is .... "The Leftovers" with an assist from the "The Prenteder".

More from the Gazette:

" The (Montgomery) county ‘hasn’t yet figured out the best way to use its clout,' (former State Senator from Baltimore) Barbara Hoffman said."

In the words of Warner Wolfe "Let's go to the videotape"
Who has the most seniority and what have they done? Forehand and Hogan combine for 26 years in the Senate; Mister Wimp aka Frosh has 13 years; Kramer has 5 years; and Garagiola also has 5.

The Mod Squad of Lenett, Raskin and Madaleno combine for 3 years.

Look over those numbers re-read the Gazette and tell me who is to blame here?

I say The Leftovers and The Pretender. Not one of them has taken the lapels of the Senate and said "stop screwing with my county". I want some Leadership from this delegation in the Senate and I don't see it from the people who should be leading -- and it should be those with the most seniority.

Who leads the County Senate Delegation? P.J. Hogan with Rona Kramer riding shot-gun. Who has the most senority? Frosh, Hogan, and Forehand. Two (Kramer and Hogan) are on the Budget and Tax and what do we see from that? Not enough. Frosh, what has he led on? I have no clue. He will lead a parade provided someone else is behind him.

This the sorry state of our Senate Delegation and they should either do the work or leave. Heck, I will predict that one of these four will be leaving their post for greener pastures soon. But that is for another post.....

Chime in.

My New Bestest Friend-- Al Wynn

As one of those who lives in the confines of "other Montgomery County", I get the repackaged progressive as my Congressman. His near death experience in the 2006 September Primary has made him a new found friend of the left.

I know he is voting correctly on the issues now that the Democrats are in control, for example take the Iraq funding bill, please. He is against Global Warming but I am assuming he is still for the ICC. Though the link is several years old. If he is against global warming and for the ICC then he is old Albert and not the new and improved liberal Wynn. He also wants to help children with dental care just like the good progressive we know he is.

But the disappearing blog, Fire Albert Wynn, and the campaign aides who beat up the opposition and remain on the payroll is the PG Albert we normally expect.

Well the new and improved Wynn returns again for another one hour town meeting next Wednesday June 6th at nearby Flower Valley Elementary School, 4615 Sunflower Drive, Rockville, MD. Question -- how much can be accomplished with the citizens if only an hour is allocated? Beats me.

So as my four year old is likely to say Al Wynn is the "bestest". At least until something better comes along.

PS: I wanted to include some links to Wynn's government site but all of them came back with bad URLs must be Congress' way of keeping technology at bay or my lack of knowledge. Take your choice.