Maryland Democrats brought in one of the party?s biggest guns, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, to raise money for the party and its statewide standard-bearers, gubernatorial candidate Martin O?Malley and Senate candidate Ben Cardin.
“I want you to do everything you possibly can so that these people will be serving, too,” the former first lady told a crowd at the University of Maryland College Park.
Someone called out: “We?ll have a new president, too,” referring to what many believe to be Clinton?s presidential ambitions, which she has not confirmed.
“We have to remain focused” on this election and getting back control of the House or Senate, Clinton said.
“It is so important that Ben Cardin be elected. We don?t need another voice that echoes whatever the president and the vice president says.”
As for Cardin?s Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, she said, “You have no idea what he stands for. ? He does whatever they tell him to do.”
Clinton praised O?Malley for his early support of increased homeland security for America?s cities.
“There are more things that unite us than divide us,” said O?Malley, reciting his 10-part program, including the first three, which are the same: “We choose to make your government work again.”
“We?ve got to elect Ben Cardin to the United State Senate,” said U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes, the man Cardin hopes to replace.
U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski agreed.
“We want to change the agenda,” she said. “But in order to change the agenda we have to change the agenda-setters. I need Democratic partners. ? Please give me Ben Cardin.”
As Cardin listed the people who had helped raise money for Steele ? President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and presidential adviser Karl Rove ? the crowd responded with a series of boos.
Clinton helped the Maryland Democrats raise about $100,000.
Before Clinton even took the podium Monday evening, Steele was trying to make political hay of her visit. He told financial supporters in an e-mail: “Now they are going to release one of the most partisan, controversial and divisive members of their party to campaign against me.”
