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U.S. Senate, Governor Candidates Rush to Court Black Vote
Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, left, supports U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D), center.
(By Michael Robinson Chavez -- The Washington Post)
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Adrion J. Howell, who is Johnson's liaison to the County Council, said the endorsement of Steele by Curry and the council members was "bold and courageous" and that he knows their comments resonated with many voters who are now considering a vote for Steele.
"Will I actually go and pull a lever for a Republican?" asked Howell, who has worked for Democratic politicians since 1988. "I don't know. But is there a message that needs to be sent to the Democratic Party? Yes there is."
State Democratic party leaders hope to counter any softening of support with a coordinated effort to reach out to voters through canvassing, direct mailings and phone calls to make sure voters go to the polls.
David Paulson, a spokesman for the Maryland Democratic Party, said the push to get out the vote has been underway for two months and is costing the party "literally millions."
"I know it's much to the consternation of some," Paulson said of the calls to voters. "The effort is to irritate them slightly, but just enough to go vote."
Meanwhile, Republicans are employing a program that was used in the 2004 reelection of Bush, known as microtargeting. Instead of focusing only on Zip codes, the party has identified individual voters and will continue to contact them until they are assured that they have voted.
Steele's campaign believes he can appeal to some socially conservative African Americans in Prince George's.
Yesterday, Steele attended an event at which he was endorsed by Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., pastor of Hope Christian Church in Bowie. "Elections can no longer be about Democrat or Republican politicians," said Jackson, an outspoken opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage. "Our community needs leaders who are aligned with our moral and spiritual values."
Staff writer Hamil R. Harris contributed to this report.
