(Welcome, Eschaton and MyDD readers. We'll be covering the Wynn-Edwards race in more detail in the months ahead, so we hope you'll stick around! - promoted by Isaac Smith)
So today, Al Wynn (MD-04, DINO) kicked off his congressional campaign in style, surrounded (disappointingly so) with progressives from around the state, including Doug Gansler, Jack Johnson, and Peter Franchot. Figures that the least progressive person in attendance, failed Senatorial candidate, DLC shill, Clinton apologist, and Iraq War cheerleader Harold Ford Jr., was the keynote speaker. What rousing message did Harold Ford Jr. have for the committed liberal democrats of MD-04? Ford, meanwhile, offered scathing criticism of how President Bush has managed the war, but specifically noted "I don't think we can leave Iraq right away." Ford went on to say, "As much as didn't do it right, we have to get it right because there are people over there who want to do us harm." Wynn, always a big fan of right wing talking points, ate this bullshit up with a spoon. In an interview, Wynn called Ford "a tremendous young talent in our party." Wynn said he believed Ford made it clear he wants the United States out of Iraq, but "he also made it very clear that we need to think beyond cliches. My race is not going to be a bunch of cliches...We're going to talk about issues, substance and policy. We're going to try to bring some depth to how we deal with the 21st century." Thats right, all of you Democrats who have been trying to end the war in Iraq are dealing in "cliches." Mr. Wynn has a real handle on this complicated situation, just leave it to him and Harold Ford to capitulate to the President on Iraq (and whatever terrible economic policy he proposes as well). But hey, this is the real Al Wynn. |
Al Wynn has now completely proven that he no longer deserves the respect or votes of those in MD-04. The keynote speaker at his campaign kickoff is not only a huge loser from a massive Democratic wave election, he is determined to cave to the president on Iraq. I must say, good Democrats like Gansler, Johnson, and Franchot should be downright ashamed for attending this event. They should do the right thing and get behind Donna Edwards. The State party flexes it's muscle though, and I suppose these men gave in. Not everyone at the event was pleased with Wynn's choice of speaker. There was a bit of buzz at the event, however, about Wynn's selection of a keynote speaker for the event--former representative and candidate for Senate Harold E. Ford, who is now head of the Democratic Leadership Council. Edwards' campaign has been built on attacking Wynn from the left, especially because he voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq in 2003. Ford, meanwhile, is widely seen as a fairly conservative Democrat."He's not representative of the district--I don't think he represents the Democratic party," said Del. Victor R. Ramirez (D-Prince George's). "I don't see how it helps [Wynn]." "I was a little disappointed in Mr. Ford's comments on Iraq," said Del. Doyle L. Niemann (D-Prince George's). "I thought they were not necessarily representative of where Al Wynn stands." Now don't be fooled. Ford Jr. and Wynn are in the exact same place on Iraq, and that place is outside bounds of Democratic and public opinion. Both Wynn and Ford Jr. support an endless commitment in Iraq. The DLC Ford Jr. is the mouthpiece for supports numerous opinons outside the Democratic mainstream, including a lack of support for universal health care, the increasing of the military industrial complex, and full support for the so called "war on terror". Its not surprising to see Wynn cast his lot with the DLC, but it certainly doesn't strike me as a smart move. Particularly when there is a REAL DEMOCRAT running named Donna Edwards. A Democrat who won't employ thugs guilty of assault even after said assault occurs, who won't sell out our values on bankruptcy "reform" or net neutrality, and who will stand up to the President on Iraq. In other words, everything that Al Wynn has refused to do during his tenure as congressman. |
