PDA Board Members and Activists Rally Support for Donna Edwards
February 10, 2008, Landover, MD
PDA National Board Chair Mimi Kennedy flew in from L.A. to ride through Maryland's 4th District on a bus. PDA National Board Member Rev. Lennox Yearwood rushed back from an appearance in Texas to Prince Georges County, where he was "born, ordained, and commissioned into the Air Force." Why? To rally voters for Donna Edwards, the most exciting and progressive candidate this district has seen. The room, in Landover, Maryland where the rally took place, was packed with Donna's supporters, swelled by PDA members from Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties.
DFA Executive Director Jim Dean, like Mimi, rode through this sprawling district, meeting voters, waving signs, and passing out information about Donna. PDA Vice Chair Steve Shaff, Board Member Steve Cobble, National Field Director Diane Shamis, Store Director Tom Pallow, and Maryland State Coordinator Mike Hersh also rode in the caravans to canvass at several shopping centers on the way to the big rally for Donna Edwards at the United Food & Commercial Workers offices in Landover.
Rev. Yearwood fired up the crowd as only he can. He spelled out how damaging incumbent Albert Wynn's mistakes have been for people in the 4th District and other Americans. Mimi matched his energy, taking on Wynn's allegations that a "vast left wing conspiracy" is backing Donna and giving a big shout out to the new PDA Prince Georges chapter leadership. Kim Gandy, President of the National Organization for Women praised Donna's courage and dedication. After the rally, Kim put on a "PDA for Edwards" sticker and joined the group pictures and discussed ways NOW and PDA can work closely together.
SEIU Executive Director Terry Cavanagh put the contest in context, recounting his conversation with a member of Congress who wondered, "Why are you doing this to Al Wynn? There are worse Democrats than Al Wynn." The reply: "Give me some time and maybe we'll think of one." Other supporters spoke of Donna's willingness to listen, her eagerness to help, her goodness, decency, intelligence and more. Jim Dean said this is a contest between "the culture of incumbency vs. the culture of activism." He sounds like a natural partner for PDA, and Mimi discussed issues like election protection with him before and after the rally.
Donna thanked everyone for their support,saying she had lived in Prince Georges County for 25 years and raised her son there. In a voice worn by weeks and weeks of hard work, she talked about her commitment to the people of the 4th District, her fundamental understanding of the difficulties facing working people, single moms-real Americans. As Donna explained, if we elect her to Congress we won't have to push her or lobby her to do the right thing on universal health care or getting us out of Iraq or helping families hurt by the foreclosure crisis. "January, 2009, my name will be right on top of the list" of the leaders making a difference on all these issues and more. And PDA is right on top of the list among the "vast left wing conspiracy" poised to usher Albert Wynn back into private life. As the chant rocked the room: "Al Wynn? Time to go!" and "It's Donna Time!"
You can join PDA in this critical campaign to build a progressive governing majority in Congress. If you have a few hours anytime Sunday through Primary Day on Tuesday between 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST, please help by participating in the predictive dialing phone banking for Donna Edwards. You can make history from the comfort of your own home! It's simple, and you get a real caller each time. For instructions and to sign up, please call or email Diane Shamis at 845-661-3754 /
diane@pdamerica.org.
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