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Mfume Endorses Cardin, but Adds Caveat
Congressman and Senate candidate Benjamin L. Cardin, center, gets a handshake of support from former rival Kweisi Mfume at a Democratic unity rally in College Park planned by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski.
(By Susan Biddle -- The Washington Post)
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Nonetheless, the Rev. Grainger Browning, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, said it would take more than appearances for some African Americans to mend relations with the party because of the sense that black Democrats have been underappreciated.
"The key thing is that we have not been at the table of influence," said Browning, who was on stage yesterday. "We want to be at the table at the time of the conception of ideas and not just when it is time to campaign."
Terry Lierman, the state Democratic Party chairman, acknowledged that the party needs "much more diversity, and we're working towards it." But he said it was important to consider the large number of female and minority nominees for lower level offices, such as General Assembly seats. Montgomery County Democrat Isiah "Ike" Leggett, he noted, would be the first black county executive in the state's largest jurisdiction.
About 28 percent of Maryland's residents are black -- among the highest percentages in the nation. The Democratic Party expects black voters to make up about 20 percent of the general election vote. For that reason, said Ronald Walters, a U-Md. government and politics professor, Cardin cannot afford to cede a significant percentage of the black vote to Steele.
If there is muted enthusiasm for the party, it is because of the question of whether black Democrats turn out in large numbers for Cardin. A Baltimore Sun poll this week showed 24 percent of black voters favor Steele, a strong showing for a Republican.
How involved Mfume will be in the campaign is unclear. Mfume said he was following up on a commitment he made to Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), who began planning the unity event months ago.
"I am here to fulfill my commitment and my obligation," he said.
There was certainly enthusiasm yesterday as Cardin told the crowd: "Michael Steele stands with George Bush. I stand with the people of Maryland." Obama followed, praising Cardin's experience in Annapolis and in Congress.
"There aren't too many people who could replace Senator Sarbanes and not miss a beat, and yet somehow, Maryland, you all found him," he said. Referring to Steele, he added: "I know the other guy is taller, and he's got that kind of local news anchor style about him. . . . But I tell you what, that's not what this election is about."
Staff writer Hamil R. Harris contributed to this report.
