Is Donna Edwards being cheap on party loyalty?

Rep. Donna Edwards, who serves as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Red to Blue Program, has been getting a lot of positive press lately. Most notably she received a wealth of press after her speech during the Democratic National Convention, one of the few members of the House of Representatives granted that opportunity. However an email sent to members today by Democracy for America, a progressive advocacy group founded by former presidential candidate and DNC chair Howard Dean has some questioning if she has been cheap.

The email starts off saying Edwards is a member of the team, a team player, but then goes on to ask supporters to email her thanking her for that spirit and asking her to give money to her fellow Democrats running to unseat republicans.

Full email below:

John Boehner has done absolutely nothing to create jobs or get the economy working for middle class families again. Instead, he’s used his right-wing majority to push an extreme ideological agenda — and voters are sick of it.

Democrats are set to make big gains in House races across the country this year. And with a real shot at taking back the House, some Democrats have stepped up to help out — including Donna Edwards, your congressperson.

Rep. Edwards has proven to be a team player doing what it takes to win.

Can you email Rep. Edwards right now to say thanks and ask her to contribute even more to progressive challengers?

Republicans aren’t holding anything back. Incumbent Republicans have contributed nearly $5 million more to Republican challengers than incumbent Democrats have to Democratic challengers — all while some Democrats in safe districts are sitting on a campaign cash stockpile estimated at $60 million.

But not all Democrats. Rep. Edwards stepped up and deserves our thanks and encouragement to keep working hard. Please send Rep. Edwards an email right now.

Thank you for all that you do.

-ML

Michael Langenmayr, Political Director
Democracy for America

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Rep. Edwards to take stage at Democratic Convention

Prince George’s County Congresswoman Donna Edwards will take the national stage tonight in North Carolina touting President Obama’s reelection:

Dear Friends,   I wanted to share some great news with you. The Obama for America campaign has chosen me to be a speaker at the Democratic National Convention. I am scheduled to speak on Thursday, September 6, at approximately 7:00pm, just a short time before President Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination to be re-elected President of the United States.   The speech will be televised nationally and hopefully you can tune in to watch what will be a very exciting night.   Thank you.   Donna               _________________________________________________________________

Donna Edwards for Congress Dan Weber Communications Director

Obama Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett to rally PG Democrats

Valerie Jarrett Phone Bank Stop-By

Friday, July 13^th

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN HQ

1101 Mercantile Lane, Suite 220

Largo, MD 20774

RSVP HERE: https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpdsfh

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NAACP reacts to VP Biden speech

A day after GOP nominee Mitt Romney was booed at the NAACP Convention for promising to repeal “Obamacare”, Vice President Joe Biden took the stage and his reception was remarkably different. In fact below is the email from Leon Russell, Vice-Chairman of the national organization.

Hello Joe,Earlier today we welcomed Vice President Joe Biden to the podium to address the 103rd NAACP Convention in Houston. And in his remarks he said something that really struck me: “This election, in my view, is a fight for the heart and soul of America.” Vice President Biden could not be more correct. The issues that make up the very fabric of America and our fight for civil rights–healthcare, equality for all, economic sustainability–will be debated in the lead up to the election. Their fates may rest in the results on November 6th. So make sure you learn about all the candidates in the race, and register to vote so you can cast your ballot: http://action.naacp.org/make-your-voice-heard With the heart and soul of America at stake, Vice President Biden spoke directly to the importance of voting: “Because when you have the right to vote, you have the right to change things. And we, the president and I and Eric [Holder] and all of us, we see a future where those rights are expanded, not diminished, where racial profiling is a thing of the past. Where access to the ballot is expanded and unencumbered. Where there are no distinctions made on the basis of race or gender…” This is what we fight for Joe. These are the goals of our organization. Will we build on the NAACP’s legacy of fighting for civil rights? Will we see a future unencumbered by inequality? Your vote in November will determine the answers to these questions. I know you are with me in your commitment to these goals. Make sure you and everyone you know is registered to vote, so all our voices can be heard this November: http://action.naacp.org/make-your-voice-heard Thank you, Leon Russell Vice Chairman NAACP

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GOP plan aggressive campaign for Cardin seat, Bongino rallies party elite in PG

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Vowing not to concede any ground to Senator Ben Cardin, Republican Party nominee Dan Bongino will rally top party leaders in Temple Hills tomorrow. His No More Neglect Rally hopes to play on the complaint by many residents that Cardin is like an absent father, comes around for what he want and then disappears when you need him.

Bongino will be joined by

Michael Steele – Fmr. Lt. Governor & Fmr. Chairman of the Republican National Committee

Nicolee Ambrose – Maryland Republican National Committeewoman &

Harry Alford – Founder/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
12:00 p.m.
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
4909 Brinkley Road, Temple Hills, MD

http://www.bongino.com

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Will black voters in Prince George’s abandon Obama over gay marriage?

Last week President Barack Obama made history when he became the first sitting president to endorse same-sex marriage. All day on Sunday the talking heads debated if that will hurt the first black president amongst his most loyal voting bloc, African-Americans. You tell us. Take our poll below and add your comments to the debate in the comment box below.

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Donna Edwards breaks with labor, endorses Delaney and labor responds

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Earlier today Maryland Juice reported that Rep. Donna Edwards and Montgomery County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin had endorsed businessman John Delaney over State Senator Rob Garagiola in the Democratic Primary for the 6th Congressional District. Problem is the AFL-CIO, huge supporters of Donna Edwards, aren’t too happy about it.

Here is an emailed statement from State President Fred G. Mason.

 

MEMO

TO:                  ALL AFFILIATES

FROM:            Fred D. Mason, Jr.

SUBJECT:      CONGRESSWOMAN DONNA EDWARDS

 

LEADERS:

We are greatly disappointed to learn that Congresswoman Donna Edwards came out this morning and endorsed a candidate in Maryland’s 6^th Congressional District Democratic Primary.

She was well aware of who the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO’s endorsed candidate is, Rob Garagiola.  She had been asked to endorse Rob Garagiola, and barring that to endorse no one. 

Yet, she chose to endorse someone other than our candidate.  What makes her endorsement so perplexing is that she knows the importance of labors endorsement.  She certainly ‘appeared’ to understand the importance in November of 2011 when we endorsed her re-election at our Convention.  It is widely believed that that endorsement helped stave off a contested primary for her.

By endorsing John Delaney, Congresswoman Donna Edwards has chosen to oppose the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO in its efforts to elect Rob Garagiola to the United States Congress representing Maryland’s 6^th Congressional District.  This action on her part will certainly be considered in our future relationships.

While we are disappointed in Congresswoman Edwards’ actions, we will not be dismayed.  We will use her actions as fuel to fire up even greater action and enthusiasm, and increase our efforts to insure victory for Rob Garagiola on April 3, 2012.

For Progress

Fred D. Mason, Jr.
President, MD/DC AFL-CIO
Office
Mobile

Rep. Edwards puts herself also at odds, again, with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-5) who has endorsed Garagiola and been rumored to be pressing representatives Van Hollen and Sarbanes to do the same. Edwards and Hoyer have bunted heads with each other a few other times over the last two years on strategy dealing with the debt negotiations, redistricting, and almost came to a head when after the party lost the majority, Edwards refused to endorse Hoyer’s bid to keep his leadership post against fellow Congressional Black Caucus member Jim Clyburn.

It should come as no surprise that Edwards is not supporting Senator Garagiola since as majority leader in the State Senate he supported a redistricting map she fought hard to oppose.

This is getting interesting…

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Is Muse preparing to go on the air?

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We all by now have seen Sen. Ben Cardin’s creepy and almost offensive commercial playing on the Donte Driver death to win a second term from black voters, but could State Senator C. Anthony Muse be preparing to go on the air as well?

Muse has been trying for weeks to gain the traction that will help him unseat the junior senator but with leading black leaders using the contest to get what they want from the senator while hitting Muse by endorsing Cardin that has been impossible. Today his campaign sent out a fundraising email asking for help getting on the air before the April 3rd Primary. We are not sure what his ad will be but the campaign did link to the video below created by a supporter.

Ben Cardin and Anthony Muse have been locked in a primary for the Democratic nomination on April 3rd.

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Our Endorsements

For the Prince George’s County Board of Education

District 1

David Murray is clearly the most experienced and connected candidate for the vacant seat being left by Rosalind Johnson. Two years ago Murray came close to defeating Johnson in her reelection bid and since that time has remained connected and in touch with the community he wants to represent. His drive and vision for a system that aggressively pursues innovation as a way to improve student achievement is what the Board of Education needs. Additionally he will join a board that has failed to hold senior administrators accountable and deliver on a real reform package everyone says they want. Prince George’s needs new energy as well as new ideas and David Murray is the best chance we have to do that in the 1^st District.

District 4

None of the candidates in the race for this seat currently held by Patricia Eubanks brings the experience or vision we believe is necessary to improve Prince George’s County Public Schools. However, one of them is at least more prepared than the others, Micah Watson. As the former Vice Mayor of Cheverly and member of the Democratic Central Committee, Watson does come with a wealth of budget experience unmatched by the other contenders. While Dennis Smith also served as a member of the Glenarden City Council in the past, during his time as a leader in the city he never distinguished himself in fiscal or program matters. Watson played instrumental roles in developing and passing the Cheverly budget as Vice Mayor and a councilman. What concerns us is a disturbingly detached community outreach strategy and real educational experience.

District 5

For the last five years Verjeana Jacobs has been the chair of the Board of Education and should be reelected. None of the candidates running against her have been able to layout a clear vision of why she should be replaced or what they would do better. Jacobs has made a lot of mistakes in her two terms on the school board, but as chair she has been able to bring a diverse group of people together that has done a lot of good. Jacobs has not been as tough on Dr. Hite as she could have been but she has been effective.

District 7

No Endorsement

District 8

Edward Burroughs has been the most outspoken and passionate member of the school board on issues of community involvement, transparency, and most importantly accountability. He has been criticized for not voting the party line and often being the lone voice of dissent but we recommend is reelection. The problem has not been that Burroughs votes no on things like changes to the popular Reading Recovery Program, a budget that grows class sizes, or retaining a lawyer making millions of dollars who donated to the reelection of another board member, the problem is that not enough of his colleagues are joining him. That will change when he is joined by people like his best friend David Murray.

United States House of Representatives

District 4

We support Rep. Donna Edwards for re-nomination to the United States Congress as a Democrat.

No Endorsement in the Republican nomination race.

District 5

We support Rep. Steny Hoyer for re-nomination to the United States Congress as a Democrat.

We believe Delegate Tony O’Donnell has the best chance to give Rep. Hoyer a run for his money. We therefore support his nomination in the Republican Primary.

United States Senate

State Senator C. Anthony Muse (Democrat)

Ben Cardin has been in Washington for over two decades. In that time the support this county has received from the federal government, including the six years he’s been in the Senate has been poor. His casework for the county has been almost as equal to his presence in the county, non-existent. About six years ago Cardin was handed his hat by fmr. Representative Kwesi Mfume by voters in Prince George’s County, but after beating Mfume statewide the best any county resident has seen of their junior senator was likely in their church this year now that he is up for reelection. Senator Muse is not an excellent candidate but he is a better candidate more in touch with the needs of county residents. A strong vote for Muse, even if he does lose to Cardin, will send the message that we as a county are dissatisfied with our representation and we demand more.

Republican Primary (No Endorsement)

For President of the United States of America

Democratic Primary

We support the re-nomination of President Barack Obama

Republican Primary

We support fmr. Governor Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination

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U.S. Senate Candidate Forum in Prince George’s

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The Collective Empowerment Group has announced the first U.S. Senate Candidate Forum (we’ve heard of) before the Democratic Primary.

Thursday, March 8th
7:30pm – 8:30pm
U.S. Senate Candidate Forum
hosted by the Collective Empowerment Group
Church of the Great Commission
5055 Allentown Road
Camp Springs, MD 20746

The Collective Empowerment Group (Formerly the Collective Banking Group) is a coalition of more than 150 churches in Prince George’s County.

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