Mfume announces U.S. Senate bid.

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 Kweisi Mfume, a former Maryland congressman and national NAACP president, today became the first Democrat to make official his bid to succeed Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Maryland).

"My goal is to give a new voice to the issues that affect every-day working men and working women and the families that they are a part of," Mfume said during a late morning press conference in a lounge at Camden Yards, where he was joined by five of his six sons.

Sarbanes's announcement set off jockeying among would-be successors, with every Democrat in the Maryland congressional delegation but one, Rep. Steny Hoyer, signaling Friday that they would take a look at the race.

Speculation about Republican candidates has focused on Lt. Gov Michael S. Steele and and state Sen E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's), who ran for the Senate unsuccessfully last year against Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland). "I hope that this early start says to people that I'm very serious about this," Mfume said.

He said his campaign would focus on "overcrowded and ill-equipped schools," health-care costs and disparities and fighting "low expectations" for some youths.

Mfume, a Baltimore native, was elected to serve Maryland's 7th congressional distict in 1986. His decade in the U.S. House of Representatives included a stint as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

He became president and chief executive officer of the NAACP in February 1996 and retired from that post at the end of last year.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/w-dyn/articles/A33725-2005Mar14.html

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On the Democratic side:

Rep. Albert Wynn is out.

"Wynn, however, said today that he was dropping any such plan, in favor of Mfume."

On the GOP side:

Kendell Ehrlich may run, but I think she is a rather weak candidate.  One things for sure, we cannot underestimate her and run a BS campaign and BS candidate or she could pull it off.

E.J. Pipkin, I think hes an ok person, but get for real E.J.

Morella could'nt even hold her own congressional seat.  How's she gonna' win statewide?

Bentley is way too old.

Steele and Ehrlich need each other.

I still say Gilchrest would be the best shot for the GOP, but I have yet to hear him say he is even considering a run.

Cal Ripken Jr.  WINNER... 

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Actually, I dont know if he is a Democrat or Republican.  Back in 2002 he wasnt even registered to vote.  He's a friend of George W. Bush.  Maybe Bush can talk him into running as a Republican.

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Morella could'nt even hold her own congressional seat.  How's she gonna' win statewide?

Now that I think about it, Morella would be a strong general election candidate, but I dont see her winning the Republican primary.  She would be strong in the general because she could probably pull 45% of the vote in Montgomery County and cripple the Democrat's lock on one of the "Big 3".  The Democrat would have to do outstanding in the rest of the state to even have a chance.

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i hope kendell ehrlich runs.

a well spoken, attractive woman against a radical flamethrower. 

mfume would get slaughtered.

Shes a decent candidate, but NO formidable Democrat will pull less than 47-48% of the vote so its impossible to "get slaughtered".  Plus, Kendell has ZERO political experience.  The only Democrat in the running that she has a chance against is Mfume.

If she does decide to run she quite possiblly could ride right into the U.S. Senate on her hubby's coatails.  If Bob Ehrlich does well throughout the campaign and goes on to win, Kendell has a good shot of winning too.

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If Morella runs, would there be a more conservative alternative running as an independent? The two CD's that elect Republicans are VERY conservative, and would certainly not vote for a R.I.N.O. in the primary, and possibly not in the general election.

Plus, she isn't that famous around the state, she would have to campaign. She is not very charismatic, being over 70.

Maryland may be a liberal state, but the Republicans here are true conservatives.

Morella would be tough to beat in the general because she could pull 45% in Montgomery County.  But I cannot see her winning the Republican primary.  She is very moderate and wouldnt sit well with most conservatives in this state and throughout the country.

Bottom line, its going to take an awful lot for the Democrat to lose this race.  But we cannot get cocky and assume this thing is locked up before it even begins.  We need to start early, get involved, run good campaigns, and nominate solid candidates for the general elections.

Start by voting for and supporting Doug Duncan in the Democratic Primary for Governor. 

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Start by voting for and supporting Doug Duncan in the Democratic Primary for Governor. 

Start by lowering the voting age

Never too young to volunteer and get involved.  Its gonna' be a fun, but rough year in Maryland politics.  The race for Governor is going to be brutal and Im guessing the Senate race will be just as nasty.

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Is Mfume that sane candidate in your eyes?

Hell no.  And Im definitley not supporting him in the primary, but if he receives the nomiantion I will support him.

Any of the following can win this U.S. Seante seat over any of the possible Maryland GOP candidates.  (as long as they actually run a decent campaign.)

Rep. Steny Hoyer
Rep. Chris Van Hollen
Rep. Ben Cardin
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger

One of those will be getting my support in the primary.