In a major forum for Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Tuesday night, Rep. Ben Cardin portrayed himself as the closest thing to an incumbent, voting and sponsoring legislation on a number of issues that his opponents could only make proposals about.
His leading competitor, ex-congressman Kweisi Mfume, offered himself as an agent of change in Washington, as did the other candidates, in a contrast to Cardin?s establishment credentials.
Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University, took the strongest jabs at Cardin?s 20-year record in Congress, particularly his votes to support funding for the Iraq war even though he had opposed the invasion.
Ultimately, the candidates agreed on many key issues, such as opposition to the war and the death penalty and more funding for education and support for stem cell research, while differing on specifics of how they might deliver on promises.
“Unfortunately the differences are mainly with the lieutenant governor,” Cardin said, referring to Michael Steele, the likely Republican nominee. “You would have heard more dramatic differences” on these issues in a forum with Steele. He said attacks on his long record “come with the turf.”
Mfume, the former NAACP president who often recounts his wayward youth in campaign appearances, said, “I?m the guy that?s not supposed to be here.” He is a high-school dropout and teen parent who turned his life around with education and the help of others.
Lichtman said, “Mr. Cardin?s record on the war has changed fundamentally.”
Cardin, who supports a gradual withdrawal from Iraq over the next year, said he has voted for funding “to support the troops.”
Josh Rales, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, peppered many of his own responses with references to the detailed position papers he has issued on energy, health care and education.
The debate, held in front of 200 people, was among the four or five out of several dozen that Cardin has attended. The forum, sponsored by African American Democratic Club of Prince George?s County and the Brody Public Policy Institute, was delayed briefly so Cardin could arrive after casting votes on Capitol Hill.
