Edwards Kicks Off Her House Campaign

Congressional candidate Donna F. Edwards showed some sole at the official kickoff of her second campaign against Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) Saturday.

Edwards, a lawyer and activist who surprised many when she came within three percentage points of knocking off the eight-term incumbent in September's Democratic primary, had a special prop for her campaign event at Watkins Regional Park: flip-flops.

They were meant to highlight what Edwards contends is a recent Wynn conversion to progressive causes that came about only after his election scare. The small, colorful plastic shoes came with messages attached suggesting Wynn has changed positions many times, including on the Iraq war, health care and tax breaks for oil companies.

The attached cards asked: "Who is the real Al Wynn?"

Edwards threw several pairs into her crowd of several dozen supporters and pledged a campaign that will highlight environmental issues, economic justice and ending the war.

She challenged Wynn to meet her in at least five debates before the Feb. 12 primary.

"We want to talk about the issues -- anytime, anywhere," she said.

Wynn has said Edwards is mischaracterizing his positions, particularly on the war. He said he first called his 2002 vote to authorize the use of force in Iraq a mistake in 2004, and he now belongs to the House of Representative's Out of Iraq caucus.

Among those in the crowd at Edwards's Saturday event were Montgomery County Council member Valerie Ervin (D-Silver Spring), who has known Edwards since the two attended an Albuquerque high school together while their fathers were stationed at the same Air Force base. Ervin said Edwards was president of their student body.

Ervin said she knew that Wynn has been spending a lot of time in Montgomery since Edwards beat him in that portion of their district in September. "I think the congressman has done a good job of convincing people that he's paying attention and that she's made him a better congressman," Ervin said.

George E. Mitchell, a real estate agent from Upper Marlboro, is also running.

Also in attendance were Prince George's County Council member Ingrid M. Turner (D-Bowie), former delegate Obie Patterson, former council candidate Phil Lee and Democratic Central Committee Chairman Terry L. Speigner.