DLC/Blue dog Congressman retires early to become a corporate lobbyist

[Zodiak]

And now Maryland does not have a representative for their fourth district.

This is typical of the DLC...they have no interest in representing their constituents, only that they can act as placeholders for Democrats while collecting money and favoring the policies of Republicans. If they cannot have things their way, they go home. To hell with the fact that this country is in deep trouble....the corporations apparently need help far more.

On the one hand, I am glad we are getting rid of these slime, but on the other hand, I know how much damage they are willing to do as they leave because they never were part of the party in the first place. They relied on people's ignorance....that they would vote for the brand "Democrat" rather than learn exactly what Democrat they were getting.

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/03_28-20/REG

WASHINGTON - Eight-term Rep. Al Wynn, who was defeated in February's Democratic primary by Donna Edwards, announced yesterday he will resign his 4th District seat in June to work for the law firm Dickstein Shapiro LLP.
"It is time to move on to another phase of my life," he said in a statement.

...

Dickstein Shapiro is a well-established lobbying firm in Washington, with clients such as Loews Corp., Peabody Energy, DuPont Co. and the Cigar Association of America.

http://www.retrieverweekly.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=3097&format=html

The DLC has been churning out “centrist” politicians that were supported enthusiastically during the 2006 election simply because of the D in front of their names but now have earned the ire of democrats. The most local example is the primary defeat of Al Wynn in Maryland’s 4th district. Donna Edwards ousted him riding a wave of grassroots support run by voters who voted for Wynn but found that he was in effect a Republican.

And a little about Albert's record from PDA

http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/12729/1/415

Progressive candidate wins

An example was Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Maryland), the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote to authorize the Bush-Cheney war in Iraq. Wynn also voted for a measure that stripped working people of protection from ruinous credit card debt under the bankruptcy statute. He also voted for the Bush-Cheney energy bill written by Exxon-Mobil and other oil profiteers.

Maryland voters nearly ousted Wynn in 2006, voting in droves for Donna Edwards, a progressive African American community organizer. This year, in the Feb. 12 “Potomoc Primary” they went to the polls and voted for Edwards in a landslide.

Her campaign was boosted by PDA and by backing from the Service Employees International Union and the United Food and Commercial Workers. She is virtually assured election in November in her strongly Democratic district.

Edward’s grassroots victory shows the importance of electing pro-people, anti-corporate candidates, Carpenter said.

I know this is not a well-known politician, nor is it the Presidential race. But it does serve to show two things: One, grassroots activism works to change the party from within. Two, DLCer/Blue Dogs have no loyalty to anyone save themselves and their corporate masters.

[OhioBlue]

1. what a public servant...

retire early to start the lobbyist's phase of his career.

thanks for looking out for us.

:sarcasm:

[LWolf]

2. This can be a positive

when there's a good liberal/progressive Democrat to step up and win that seat.

Good riddance.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. The seat is already won .... by Donna Edwards .....

See this earlier thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3070934&mesg_id=3070934

[LWolf]

6. It sounds like Edwards will be an improvement. n/t

[Zodiak]

9. Edwards won the primary

It would take a special election to actually seat her now that Wynn has left. Otherwise it will have to wait until November (and it will since it costs a couple of mil to run a special election before November). One of the articles I cite mentions it.

It is a blue district, but she still must face November if the pukes have a candidate. The primary is only part of the game.

Wynn says he left so Edwards could take his seat, but he knows that won't happen as well as anyone. He is just bullshitting.

Read the article.

[salin]

15. No - it isn't

from the linked article:

Under Maryland law, Gov. Martin O'Malley must decide within 10 days of Wynn's resignation whether to call for a special election or to allow the position to remain vacant until a replacement is chosen in November's regularly scheduled general election.

Edwards won the primary - and has a general election in November. Until then Wynn is/was the sitting representative. This means either there will be no representation from June - January (if the Gov opts not to have a special election) or that there will be a costly special election before the November election. The special election route allows for the people to be represented - but can sap momentum and money out of the general election.

I seriously doubt his job offer was "in June or no job" - unless it was a GOP operation to muck with the general election - more likely he is the sore loser model, taking his marbles (darn the party and the voters re the timing) I am taking my marbles and going home (but home, now of course is DC and big money lobbying.)

[Zodiak]

16. Thank you for clarifying

I know people do not have their thinking caps screwed on tightly on Friday night, but there seems to be a serious lack of comprehension here.

[Elidor]

4. Posts like this are what make DU worth reading

The local stuff matters. Very much.

[defendandprotect]

5. 1 down and 40 more to go? Hope Donna Edwards makes it --- good news!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Donna Edwards has already 'made it'

See post number 3, above.

[defendandprotect]

8. Thanks -- I scanned it very quickly. Good news!

[Zodiak]

10. She has won the primary only

Against Wynn...making him a lame duck.

She still needs to win in November to take the seat.

I do not know if she has puke opposition.

[Stinky The Clown]

12. There are mnay districts in Maryland where the primary is the de facto election.

This is one of them.

The Baltimore mayoral race is another. The Democrat always gets upwards of 90% of the vote. Republicans mount a challenge every time but they never get any votes.

[Zodiak]

14. But she is still not seated

Read the article.

No representation for Maryland's 4th until January. That's 10 months.

Here are the relevant quotes:

But there's no guarantee Ms. Edwards will join Congress early. According to the Constitution, seats in the House of Representatives can only be filled by elected officials, so Ms. Edwards would have to win a special election to get to Capitol Hill ahead of the pack. And prospects for such an election are iffy, given there's a general election for the seat in November.

A special election is only required if a representative leaves in the first half of his or her two-year term.

The decision at this point is Gov. Martin O'Malley's, and Mr. O'Malley wasn't sure yesterday if the state would hold one.

A special election could cost $1.5 million to $2 million, according to Ross Goldstein, deputy administrator at the Maryland State Board of Elections.

So do you get it? His leaving will leave Maryland's 4th empty and he cannot have a replacement appointed. He basically screwed his state and the Democratic party in order to go play kissy-kissy with the big corporations and gave a bullshit reason for his departure. He even said Edwards could take his seat knowing full-well that it won't happen.

He is a blue dog scumbag.

[Stinky The Clown]

17. Yeah ..... you said that she's not seated.

Several times.

I read the article.

In fact, I posted abut this before you did. I suggested she be appointed to take the seat. Someone pointed out that can't be done. I let that sand since it is right.

Okay?

What I was responding to here was your suggestion that she has to get thru the November GE. While technically true, she has a better chance of winning than we do of having the sun rise on the day after.

[ThomWV]

11. What are you talking about? It says he was defeated in his Primary

The very first sentence of the very first quote you give says he was defeated in his primary. Then it goes on to say he resigned, which is foolish, how can you rationally resign from a job you just lost? So, because the voters tossed him out its hard to understand the rest of the rant against the DNC you wrote, it just doesn't make much sense.

[Zodiak]

13. Because you do not lose the job when you lose the primary

You lose the right to campaign for the party in the general election. He still is supposed to be in that seat until January and Edwards will be running in November.

But he quit...early, and now Maryland's 4th doesn't have representation and the Democratic party is down one member at least until January.

And I didn't rant against the DNC....I ranted against the DLC/Blue dogs. If you have not noticed, the DNC and the DLC are on opposite sides of an ideological fight for the soul of the party. They are NOT interchangeable.

Before you accuse one of not making sense, it helps to re-read what they wrote.

[VenusRising]

18. Kick to show the greed of the DLC.

It's all about their personal power and monetary achievements. The DLC has consistently voted against the Democratic party with the Republicans on so many key issues. It's no surprise that a DLCer would leave his or her post in order to become a lobbyist money grubbing asshole leaving the people unrepresented. The DLC is good at not representing the interests of the people.

Way to call the DLC out! :yourock::applause::loveya:

[Califooyah Operative]

19. I'm shocked!

not really.

[Blue_Tires]

20. "Dickstein??"