(Baltimore, MD) The wave of voter restlessness struck
Maryland by rejecting a well-respected Prince George’s County Executive in
favor of a former Civil Rights leader. Say what you will about a crowded Democratic
field but Ben Jealous, the former NAACP Leader, was able to mobilize his base
and found much needed campaign funds outside of Maryland to get out the gate
first and get up on television before he could be defined. The "wave election" has sweep in
progressives and candidates with political pedigrees are out. Jealous touted
his leadership credentials at the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, efforts to remove the death penalty and approved gay marriage in the state.
The victory was almost overshadowed by election problems
in Baltimore City where several polling locations didn’t open on time. An
emergency order by a judge allowed polls to stay open until 9 pm. The other
major snafu was the Department of Motor Vehicle Department (MVA) not updating
its system to the Board of Elections. It’s estimated this may affected as many
as 80,000 voters. “The leadership of the Motor
Vehicle Administration and the Board of Elections must immediately demonstrate
that they have the capacity to accurately explain the size and impact of the
problem and fix this violation of the public trust or they must make room for
leaders who are able to restore confidence in Maryland elections,” said Rev.
Kobi Little, a spokesman for the NAACP's Maryland State Conference President,
Gerald Stansbury.” The investigation is expected to begin next week ensuring there isn’t a re-occurrence during the General Election.
Jealous, if he wins, would become the first Black governor
of the state of Maryland. Appealing to racial solidarity in the “old line state,”
has its positives and dangers. For the positive, it would send a unique signal
that old style politics in the state have outlived its usefulness. Party bosses
will not dictate this elections outcome. It is likely to energize young voters
who want a seat at the table. Lastly, there will not be a lethargic electorate
which helped to suppress voting totals in traditional strongholds for Democrats.
I already know that Sundays will be spent in churches, a place where Jealous is
very comfortable.
The danger for the Civil Rights leader is being defined by
Governor Larry Hogan who easily won his primary because he had no challenger. “It
isn’t about them…it’s about a referendum on the job we’re doing,” said Hogan.
It didn’t take long for the Governor’s supporters to begin to strike back. It
began with a press release from the Republican Governor’s Association.
“Ben Jealous’ radical views make him unfit to
serve as governor,” said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. “Ben Jealous
is promising to systematically undo all of the progress Maryland has made over
the past four years by hiking taxes to never-before-seen levels in order to
fund his radical pie-in-the-sky spending plans. Voters will reject Jealous’
ill-conceived plans this November and keep Maryland on its current path of more
jobs, a stronger economy and better schools.”
A second press release came from a former Democratic
Committee Chairman.
Democratic Party Chairman Nate
Landow in response to Ben Jealous winning the Democratic primary election for
governor:
“It is imperative that Democratic
voters who value moderation, fiscal responsibility and functional government
support Governor Larry Hogan in the general election. His record of sensible,
bipartisan reform and his genuine decency is the antidote for what ails our
politics today. He stands in stark contrast to the irresponsible and extreme
ideas of Ben Jealous.”
These are coded words and issues. The Root writer, Damon
Young, who writes under the section of “VerySmartBrothas,” pointed this out in
his recent column called, “30 Ways White People Say Black People Without Actually Saying Black People..” Here are a couple of observations we’re
likely to hear; “high crime neighborhood, gang related, and depressed
neighborhood/school/people/population.
“We talked with the people,” said Jealous who held his victory
celebration at the Reginald Lewis Museum of Maryland of African-American History
and Culture. He continued to point out his difference with the governor and
welcomed the opportunity to litigate his case to the voters of Maryland. “I’m running to the people of Maryland.”
The Next Steps
Raising Money, is paramount. Governor Hogan has at least 9
million dollars in cash on hand for the general election. Conversely, Jealous is
reportedly down to about $100,000. To reverse this trend there are several
unity events scheduled to coalesce the losers with the Democratic Gubernatorial
Nominee. It includes the arrival of former Vice President Joe Biden this
weekend for a fundraiser. Like the primary, I’m expecting to see a number of
early supporters for Jealous. Including U.S. Senators Corey Booker (NJ), Sen.
Kamala Harris (California), and Sen. Bernie Saunders (VT). They’ve already made
their presence known and I expect them to double down on this early bet.
Celebrity wise, comedian, Dave Chappelle has appeared and he is likely to
convince others to get on the train.
I don’t know how many debates we’re likely to see but it should be spirited. I can tell you having only two people on a stage will allow questioners to drill down on issues you can’t get with a large field. As a fly on the wall, I'd love to hear both candidates working on their one liners and sharpen their attack.
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