PDA Maryland Supports Donna Edwards

January 1, 2008

A fighter, not a follower, a leader who listens--not a politician who panders

As part of its efforts to realize the Progressive Challenge 2008, PDA chapters are actively stepping up to challenge Democratic incumbents who have betrayed the interests of working families in favor of corporate interests and Beltway insiders. One of the most exciting races, which has received considerable attention in both mainstream media and the “blogosphere,” is in Maryland's Fourth Congressional District where Donna Edwards is taking on eight-term incumbent Al Wynn in the February 12 primary.

Members of PDA's local chapter in Prince George's County have endorsed an authentic grassroots candidate in Donna Edwards. In contrast to Wynn, Edwards does not offer mere rhetoric on PDA's priorities in support of a Progressive Agenda. Donna Edwards demonstrates the capacity both to fight to make those goals reality and to forego any contributions from corporations or lobbyists who are determined to undermine that agenda. Donna Edwards is committed to fighting in Congress, without backpedaling or compromising, to bring the troops home--redirecting funding not just from military spending but from corporate pockets to fulfill human needs. She will not just speak out for a national publicly funded, privately provided health care, but is ready to stand up to the insurance companies to divest them of their power in the delivery of medical care in this country. She remains accountable to constituents, in working to direct government resources to protect and enhance the welfare of middle class and low-income families rather than special interest lobbyists and corporate scavengers.

And then there is Albert Wynn…

While Maryland's fourth district boasts a 77% Democratic performance record (Democrats outnumbering Republicans five to one), until facing a challenge from Edwards in the 2006 race, Wynn was a Bush-Democrat or DINO (Democrat in Name Only), kowtowing to “big money interests” and Republican hegemony. Al Wynn was one of four members of the Congressional Black Caucus to support Bush's invasion of Iraq in 2002. He also supported the 2005 Bush-Cheney energy bill, the repeal of the estate tax, and the 2005 Bankruptcy bill. On environmental issues, Wynn also voted to weaken the Endangered Species Act and for drilling in Alaska's national reserves. Wynn also co-sponsored a Republican initiative to derail a campaign finance reform bill to ban soft money contributions to national and state parties. Meanwhile, in his own campaigns, Wynn has flagrantly skirted FEC regulations, being forced to return contributions in 2002. Finally, Wynn has been one of the main opponents of net neutrality, buoying efforts to privatize the Internet. Now in his eighth term in Congress, Wynn remains excruciatingly out of step with the needs, and experiences of his constituents, consumers and working families., siding with power and wealth, corporate interests like Walmart, the banking, oil and gas, telecommunications industries and big developers who fund his campaigns.

After a year of disappointment and repeated abdication by Democratic leadership to achieve a progressive agenda, PDA understands we cannot simply maintain or expand a Democratic majority-our goal is to achieve a progressive Democratic majority. Donna Edwards is a bona fide progressive, willing to stand up to and oppose moneyed interests and fight for working people on issues like living wage, guaranteed health care, workers rights, election integrity, campaign finance reform, net neutrality and investment in sources of alternative energy.

PDA Maryland Fourth District chapter believes that its district needs a leader who listens, not a politician who panders. Throughout the U.S., we need representatives in Congress who are fighters not followers. Donna Edwards provides an inspiring example of a candidate who has the energy to connect on the outside with grassroots groups, and the strength to work hard inside the halls of Congress to push for a real progressive legislative agenda.

For more information, please visit www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com. To get involved by contributing or participating in virtual phonebanking for Donna Edwards, please contact diane@pdamerica.org.

Review Donna's responses to the PDA endorsement questionnaire.

Read this article on The Nation on why Donna should be the next member of Congress from Maryland's 4th congressional district.

Read more background information on Donna's race here.

If your chapter is interested in pursuing a national PDA endorsement for a progressive candidate like Corbett Kroehler, please download and follow this endorsement policy. You may direct questions or comments to Diane@pdamerica.org.

Site Design by Virgo Graphics
Web Development by Turtle Island Web Design
Contact the PDA webmaster at .
Copyright © 2004-2009 Progressive Democrats of America • All text available for public use with appropriate attribution.

Site Search

Find Chapters

CD Point People

Podcasts & Videos

Action Alerts

Congress Schedule

In This Section:

PDA Maryland Supports Donna Edwards

January 1, 2008

A fighter, not a follower, a leader who listens--not a politician who panders