Mfume announces U.S. Senate bid.

[nickshepDEM]

Kweisi Mfume, a former Maryland congressman and national NAACP president, today became the first Democrat to make official his bid to succeed Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Maryland).

"My goal is to give a new voice to the issues that affect every-day working men and working women and the families that they are a part of," Mfume said during a late morning press conference in a lounge at Camden Yards, where he was joined by five of his six sons.

Sarbanes's announcement set off jockeying among would-be successors, with every Democrat in the Maryland congressional delegation but one, Rep. Steny Hoyer, signaling Friday that they would take a look at the race.

Speculation about Republican candidates has focused on Lt. Gov Michael S. Steele and and state Sen E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's), who ran for the Senate unsuccessfully last year against Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland). "I hope that this early start says to people that I'm very serious about this," Mfume said.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/w-dyn/articles/A33725-2005Mar14.html

[OnBackground]

1. Wynn Out, Then Who?

And they're off!

Al Wynn announced, according to the Sun, that he would <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-mfume0314,1,2565253.story?coll=bal-home-headlines">defer to Mfume</a> his ambitions for the senate.

Republicans whose names have been <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.sarbanes13mar13,1,4961458.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines">added to the mix</a> are former U.S. Rep. Connie Morella, governor's wife Kendel Ehrlich and conservative state Sen. Alex X. Mooney.

[Pab Sungenis]

2. I got a bad feeling.

I think this seat is gone.

[nickshepDEM]

3. Why?

[Pab Sungenis]

8. I don't know.

Mfume is an excellent man, and would make a great Senator, but I think that the Republicans are going to put a full-on press for this seat and will stop at nothing.

[DaveinMD]

9. Maryland is a Dem state

it would be very hard for them to win this. Kerry got almost 57 percent in our state. Its an anomoly when a Republican wins.

[Tweed]

4. If it was Steele vs. Mfume, how could Steele win?

[nickshepDEM]

5. I dont think he could.

An African-American Democrat vs an African-American Republican in Maryland? The Democrat wins everytime. Im starting to worry about Mrs. Ehrlich, though.

[AuntiBush]

6. Seen that.

And believe it or not, I just posted the same thing seconds ago! LOL

Here's my post:Monday March 14, 2005 by GRETCHEN PARKER
Associated Press Writer, announced 1 hour ago:

SNIP

"BALTIMORE (AP) - Kweisi Mfume, a former five-term congressman who recently stepped down as president of the NAACP, announced Monday that he will run for the U.S. Senate next year in Maryland."

"In announcing his candidacy, the Baltimore native and former radio talk show host declared in a booming voice: ``I can't be bought. I won't be intimidated, and I don't know how to quit."

Read the rest at http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4865291,00.html.

I'll vote for him. O'Malley for Govenor of Maryland, Mfume will fight in Congress and has the experience to do so!

We need to spread the word. The one from Montgomery County is too close to Repub party and Mont Co very red. And agreed. Worried a bit about Mrs. Erhich.

[AuntiBush]

7. No. Don't worry but don't take it easy either.

More and more people I know that voted for Bush are fed-up.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

12. No, it should be safe. Democrats are in the majority...

and the party will go all out to get Mfume in!

[Moderator]

10. nickshepDEM

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
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Thank you.


DU Moderator

[nickshepDEM]

11. sorry.. n/t