MD-04: Wanna take on the establishment

post from Daily Kos on 31 October 2007 08:01:30 PM. © Daily Kos

Yeah, there are times when it all seems pretty hopeless -- our efforts taken for granted by a corrupt and out-of-touch establishment more interested in protecting itself, than in leading the country forward.

If we want to be relevant in the political world, we have to go beyond just electing more Democrats -- as important as that might be -- and start working for better Democrats. Some of the dead-weight in Congress will retire or die off, providing opportunities for new leadership in D.C. But unfortunately, few incumbents retire, and fortunately, even fewer die off.

That leaves the primary process as our one vehicle for effective and positive change and accountability for our own party. If we give our incumbents a pass out of partisan loyalty, we're just begging for the kind of corruption that has given us the modern Republican Party. In fact, it was just that sort of Democratic corruption, in the early 90s, that gave us Newt Gingrich and his merry band of country wreckers. As we build a new progressive majority, we can't give our elected officials a pass. We have to keep them honest.

So that brings us to MD-04, where the electric Donna Edwards nearly unseated corrupt incumbent Al Wynn in 2006 despite a short campaign. Now, two years later, Donna has worked to build on her 2006 gains, while Wynn is working desperately to hang on to his seat. Unlike 2006, Donna can't sneak up on Wynn. He knows she's coming, and he's doing everything possible to work the levers of incumbency.

And that means calling in the establishment cavalry to try and bail his ass out.

Nancy Pelosi will be fundraising for Wynn on Saturday, There's no greater example of the inherent corruption of the system than a supposed progressive House Speaker taking time to raise money for a sleazebag like Al Wynn. But, in a way, Pelosi is boxed in. If she doesn't demonstrate loyalty to her caucus, they can similarly turn their backs on her and dump her from the Speakership. And you better believe the likes of Steny Hoyer would love to take advantage of such a situation.

So Pelosi might or not be excused on doing the fundraiser, but absolutely NOT on the disdain establishment Dems like her show toward us activists.

"We have to make responsible decisions in the Congress that are not driven by the dissatisfaction of anybody who wants the war to end tomorrow," Pelosi told the gathering at the Sofitel, arranged by the Christian Science Monitor. Though crediting activists for their "passion," Pelosi called it "a waste of time" for them to target Democrats. "They are advocates," she said. "We are leaders."

"Waste of time." Nice. Regardless, we, in the netroots, can show that we won't be beholden to the establishment, no matter how tightly it might circle the wagons. We're going to fight back.
ColorOfChange today endorsed Donna Edwards:

Black Americans have long relied on Black elected officials like Al Wynn to represent their interests in Washington, and far too often, they find those leaders unaccountable and compromised. Al Wynn has repeatedly worked against the interests of his Black constituents, siding instead with big business and the wealthy special interests that fund his campaigns.

Today, we're saying enough is enough. Donna Edwards, Wynn's opponent in the Democratic primary, has been a powerful advocate for policies that benefit the Black community, especially low-income Black folks. She has an excellent record of public service, and we are confident that once in office she will serve her constituents with integrity and accountability.

While Nancy Pelosi holds a fundraiser this weekend in support of one of the least accountable members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we're asking Black folks to stand up, demand better representation, and support Donna Edwards for Congress."

A bunch of us time-wasting bloggers are following ColorOfChange's lead and launching a four-day blograiser to combat the establishment money which will flood Al Wynn's coffers on Saturday. Our goal? $100K. We've did it before with Darcy Burner. Let's now do it for a good Democrat, Donna Edwards.

And remember, even a little -- $5 or $10 -- helps. With numbers we can accomplish what's supposed to be impossible. Let's send a message: to corrupt Democrats, let's tell them that bringing in the Nancy Pelosis will actually hurt them, rather than help. To the Nancy Pelosis, let's tell them that we're watching their actions and will hold them accountable for protecting their most corrupt members.

So join us in delivering that message loud and clear.

On the web:
Donna Edwards for Congress
Blue Majority ActBlue Page
Donna Edwards tag on dKos