Clearing the Senate Field

[OnBackground]

Rollcall reports talk of clearing the field in the Maryland Democratic Senate primary.

<blockquote>In Maryland, some national and state black politicians are suggesting that the party clear the field for former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume (D), who has already declared his candidacy. </blockquote>
snip
<blockquote>Mfume said that while he has not been part of any discussions about pressuring the party to get behind him, he understands why black voters and leaders are frustrated.

“Probably what you are seeing is people who are very loyal Democrats assuming and believing that the party, to hold on to its base in the black community, needs to be showing a demonstrable willingness to do what it can to promote black candidates,” he said. </blockquote>
Snip
<blockquote>But several political observers believe that Mfume’s chances of winning increase in a multicandidate primary and that he would be the underdog in a head-to-head race with one white opponent.

Moreover, not all black leaders are insisting that the party make way for Mfume.
For starters, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D), who succeeded Mfume in Congress, has still not ruled out a Senate run, though it is considered unlikely at this stage. Neither has Prince George’s County States Attorney Glenn Ivey (D), who is also black. And black Members of Congress may be hesitant to take sides in a primary in which some of their colleagues, black or white, may be competing. </blockquote>

[yurbud]

1. Any other candidates have the name recognition of Mfume?

[DaveinMD]

2. name recognition

won't be an issue after they spend all the gobs of money they will raise. I also think its wrong for folks to step aside just because a candidate is African American. There is a great shot for Mfume to win the primary anyhow.

[aintitfunny]

3. I do not think anyone should step aside

I say this as someone who is strongly leaning toward Mfume. I would like to see Mfume as a Senator from Maryland. However, Mfume must win the Primary in a fairly run race. As a middle-aged white woman in Baltimore County, however, I strongly support the supposition that we need an African American candidate. I do think it will be a factor in keeping the African American constituency in the Democratic Party, especially in light of the recent news about the religious leaders who align themselves with the Religious Right. The Party should not just give lip service to one of its largest and most faithful constituencies.

[Frances]

4. In 2002 O'Malley and Duncan

stepped aside so Kathleen Kennedy Townsend could run for governor without a contested primary. In hindsite, that was not a good idea.

Therefore, I think an honest primary with several good candidates would be the best way to go.