The main event in the fight for the U.S. Senate began Wednesday in Park Heights as Democratic Rep. Ben Cardin and Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele both embraced “ready for change” themes in the race in November to replace Sen. Paul Sarbanes.
Steele had known since the GOP drafted him into the race last year that he would be the likely GOP nominee, but it wasn?t until 2 a.m. Wednesday that the deal was clinched for Cardin. That?s when it became clear to him and his chief opponent, ex-Rep. Kweisi Mfume, that Cardin would win Tuesday?s primary with 44 percent of the vote to Mfume?s 40 percent.
“Kweisi Mfume ran a great campaign for U.S. Senate,” Cardin told a Democratic unity luncheon attended by the winners and their staffs at The Forum in northwest Baltimore. “He is my friend.”
“There is a big difference between Michael Steele and me,” Cardin said. “We?ll bring very different priorities to the U.S. Senate” on such issues as health insurance, education and national security.
Steele agreed and Wednesday he sent letters to Cardin and Green Party-Libertarian nominee Kevin Zeese suggesting they schedule a series of three-way debates so voters can hear directly from them about their views.
Steele unveiled his new blue “Ready for change?” bus with huge photos of himself on its sides outside the Park Heights Barbershop, with a mostly African-American crowd boosted by a group from the nearby “I Can?t, We Can” drug-rehabilitation center.
“I?m no stranger to this neighborhood,” said Steele, a Prince George?s County resident. “I will represent both sides of Park Heights Avenue.”
He again emphasized his frequent theme of economic empowerment. In the 1960s, people wanted a “seat at the diner,” but this is “the generation that will own the diner,” Steele said.
Barbershop owner Johnny Clinton, former president of the Pimlico Merchant Association, said he is supporting Steele because he “has good views about small-business people,” as does Gov. Robert Ehrlich.
Baltimore Mayor Martin O?Malley is “a good man,” but he ought to stay in [the] city, Clinton said.
The majority black attendance at both the Democratic luncheon and Steele?s sidewalk rally emphasized the importance of the African-American vote in the Nov. 7 election. Steele was the first black statewide elected official.
Del. Anthony Brown, O?Malley?s running mate, is the only non-white on the five-man Democratic ticket, and Kristen Cox, Ehrlich?s running mate, is the only woman running statewide.
