Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Sunday, May 01, 2016

Senate Race in Maryland Exposes Democratic Party’s Fissures


Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards lost a bitter fight for the state’s vacant Senate seat Tuesday night, forecasting expanding cracks in the Democratic party as the 2016 election remains unexpectedly competitive.

Edwards, a black single mom, fell to seven-term Rep. Chris Van Hollen despite record-high voter turnout among African Americans in the state. A victory would have positioned Edwards as the first black senator to represent Maryland in the chamber and the second black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.

In a polarizing concession speech, Edwards ripped on the left for failing to back a woman of color.

“To my Democratic Party, let me say today: Maryland is on the verge of having an all-male delegation in a so-called progressive state,” Edwards said. “When will the voices of people of color; when will the voices of women; when will the voice of labor; when will the voices of black women; when will our voices be effective, legitimate, equal leaders in a big-tent party?”

Van Hollen is expected to defeat his Republican challenger Kathy Szeliga in November as the two compete for Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s seat, who is retiring after 30 years in the chamber.

Lawmakers have criticized Edwards as a polarizing figure who is “difficult” to work with and “ineffective.” She hit back during a press call Friday, accusing her Democratic colleagues of sounding the racial “foghorn.”

“I thought the Republican Party was full of dog whistles but the Democratic Party has a foghorn,” she told reporters.

More

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Donna should have just said "What, using my race and woman card didn't work?"

Anonymous said...

"Edwards said. “When will the voices of people of color; when will the voices of women; when will the voice of labor; when will the voices of black women; when will our voices be effective, legitimate, equal leaders in a big-tent party?”"

To satisfy all of those questions, when those voices aren't those of clowns and posers.

Anonymous said...

black single mom?, never heard of such a thing

Anonymous said...

7:31 AM - Exactly! Amen.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Edwards blasts her party because she didn't win. Victim mentality. The left needs to get over that.

Anonymous said...

Van Hollen is a good ole boy in the democrat party she should have known better.

Anonymous said...

Now you know why she lost. The blacks have been given EVERYTHING. We all know it. She thought because of that fact she deserved to win. Then when she didn't the racist in her came out!!! Again! ! Blame everyone and everything except for yourself! !!!!

Anonymous said...

Imagine a white male making the same comment...“When will the voices of white people; when will the voices of men; when will the voice of labor; when will the voices of white men; when will our voices be effective, legitimate, equal leaders in a big-tent party?”

It only sounds racist if your white.

Anonymous said...

She can try Trumps approach, "the system is rigged" or make it that Maryland Democrats hate black women

Anonymous said...

This crap is really getting old and played out!!! Definitely a volcano about to spew!!

Anonymous said...

What a loser. Funny thing blacks can get away using the race card, but let someone who's white and we're the racist...Unbelievable

Anonymous said...

sh should run as an independent, yeah

Anonymous said...

So I guess the other black folk didn't line up the way they were supposed to.
Maybe they've begun to think for themselves.
Good for them.
Hopefully they will think even more about the general election and vote in a way that will actually help the black community instead of keeping them oppressed.

Unknown said...

7:58 am well said!

Anonymous said...

With the large "African-American" turn out seems like the voting, responsible group is paying attention to MLK's dream of judging people "not by the color of their skin but by the strength of their character". Probably would have included their sex.

Shame we've allowed decisions about people, as policy, to be made based on what folks were born with rather than what they've accomplished. Could it be this is changing, or is this" woman of color" just too far out there?

Anonymous said...

But I'm a black woman, I'm entitled to this vacant position!!

Anonymous said...

When one is accustomed to be given everything, it is natural to be disappointed when one learns they must actually work for a goal in life.

flashback said...

The voices of women were heard almost 40 years ago, when Barbara Mikulski was first voted to Congress. The voices of women continued to be heard for the next 40 years, as Ms. Mikulski served in Congress and then the Senate. Ms. Edwards may play the "race card" if she so desires, but there is no justification for playing the "gender card".

Anonymous said...

Pity Pity Pity, your 15 minutes are officially UP!

Now go get a real job and contribute. Unlike overpaid politicians who do not..DO NOT work for their constituents!!!

Anonymous said...

This statement alone shows why she wasn't elected by her own people. It's time that people run on their qualifications and not their color. it's time we all become Americans instead of black or white candidates.

Anonymous said...

Maybe she's waking up to the fact that Democrats have held down Blacks for 500 years.