A Democrat loses his party’s primary. He then runs as an independent — against the party’s official nominee. That ploy proves effective, and incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman returns to the U.S. Congress. Interestingly, some District politicos hope to channel Connecticut — if not the senator.
At-large D.C. Council member Carol Schwartz lost her party’s primary. She subsequently announced a write-in campaign, setting her against her party’s nominee, Patrick Mara, and five other candidates. Not unlike Lieberman, she hopes popularity and name recognition pushes her to victory in November.
Schwartz is no Lieberman. The District is no Connecticut.
Lieberman’s name was on the ballot. Schwartz’s name won’t be. Write-in campaigns are costly and labor-intensive. Voters have to remember the candidate and remember to pencil her in. Schwartz isn’t making it easy. There are few campaign posters and fewer attention-getting events for this unusual effort. She appears to be exporting to the general election the same problems that resulted in her primary defeat.
But a lackadaisical campaign operation isn’t Schwartz’s only obstacle. There are two rising tides: 1) a renewed effort among some African-Americans to re-establish their dominance on the council and 2) an anti-Republican mood.
Since 2004, some blacks have resented that the council is predominantly white, although the District remains predominantly African-American, albeit by a small margin. Each election, groups of political operatives shape strategies for defeating the white politician considered most vulnerable. This year, it’s Schwartz.
Even before her primary defeat, three blacks — two of whom adopted Lieberman’s “independent Democrat” label — were gunning for the council’s sole Republican lawmaker. Though politically weak, incumbent at-large Democrat Kwame Brown, who is African-American, was not targeted by anyone.
Leaders of the “black restoration” movement seem to be rallying around Kwame Brown and Michael Brown, one of those “independent Democrats” who, in telephone calls, links himself to the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama.
A third-generation Washingtonian, Michael Brown’s fame is paternal; he’s Ron Brown’s son. Now deceased, Ron Brown was credited with being a prime mastermind of Bill Clinton’s 1992 election.
By contrast, Michael Brown can’t design a winning campaign: In 2006, he wanted to be mayor; with dismal poll numbers, he dropped out. Months later, he sought to fill the seat left vacant when then-Ward 4 Council member Adrian Fenty became mayor; Brown lost that race. Now, he comes with brochure in hand, pleading to be an at-large council member.
In reality, Brown is no threat to Schwartz. Having him on the council could be detrimental to the city, however. A general anti-Republican atmosphere, in response to a souring economy, spells trouble for Schwartz and Mara, who would be a welcomed addition to the legislature.
A throw-the-bums-out sentiment promises to bring record numbers of District Democrats to the polls. They will rally around Obama and other Democrats. This year, loyalty really counts. That means Schwartz and, unfortunately, Mara may be discounted.
