Discussion for article #234478
I’m not a Maryland voter, but that’s a tough one. I like both Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Edwards a bunch. Both are worthy of the title of Senator.
I would like to see a woman replace Mikulski in the Senate, primarily because female Senators have, or will soon be in office in even less numbers. As a result, woman’s issues end up getting even less attention then they should. Sadly, female Republican Senators don’t usually put forward any legislation that benefits women overall…so that leaves it to Democratic female legislators.
My guess is that Edwards would have a harder time raising money than Van Hollen…and unfortunately these days, it seems that being in the Senate has become a rich person’s game. Very few people running in Senate races are not millionaires anymore. I find that fact disgusting all by itself. It’s no wonder so many of those in office can’t relate to middle-class or working-class Americans anymore.
We are Maryland residents and include a longtime Emily’s List member in the family – including “Majority Council” membership. Everyone in the family will be voting for Van Hollen. It’s not even a close call; he’s obviously the most qualified candidate. The only thing that Edwards brings to the race is the potential opening of a schism in the Maryland Democratic Party that will result in a Republican taking the Mikulski seat if the Republicans should nominate a moderate like a certain former chairman of the Republican Party who also served as the state’s Lieutenant Governor-- Michael Steele.
I highly doubt if Edwards beat Van Hollen, then she would have any problem beating Steele.
Either would be fine; I’d prefer Van Hollen stay in the house and become Speaker.
Choices are a good thing, a Democratic thing. This is about as wide of an option as can be had.
Maryland resident here. On the surface I’d like to see Maryland represented by an African-American woman in the Senate. That being said, of course I’m not voting for Oprah, the candidate must be someone of substance and a great representative in the US Senate of the whole state. Donna Edwards would be a great US Senator for Maryland. Van Hollen is a very good rep., better pol for the Dem Party, a very good public speaker, great in front of a camera, and an excellent fund-raiser. Edwards is more soft-spoken and that’ll hurt her. Not that Van Hollen will attack her better, but he’ll just be able to present a better picture for voters. I’d pick Edwards over Van Hollen although either one would be great for the state, and, personally, because I’ve got a beef with Mikulski voting for the Iraq resolution and both times the Patriot Act came up, I think they’d be better than Barbara Mikulski (at least I’m hoping they will be). Mikulski talked about “giving the Republicans hell” but I didn’t see it when we needed it, at least when it comes to National Security.