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by Ken Morgan
Baltimore Times
Originally posted 10/6/2006
The Greater Baltimore League's Orchard Street Church sanctuary marked the venue of the first public debate of candidates vying for U.S. Senator. Before the doors opened, candidate supporters had a silent debate of their own. Supporters for Republican candidate Michael Steele, Democrat Benjamin Cardin and Green, Libertarian and Popular Party supported Kevin Zeese, battled for candidate sign-waving and zeal supremacy outside the building.
The debate hosted by Baltimore Urban League president and CEO J. Howard Henderson welcomed the audience and introduced Charles Robinson, political correspondence of National Public Radio and Donnie Glover, publisher and founder of Bmore.com as the debate moderators. The 486-seat sanctuary was more than three fourths full. Blacks totaled about two thirds of those attending the debate. Organized supporters appeared far to outstrip the individual everyday working person drawn to hear from the candidates. Cardin supporters out-numbered Steele supporters. Steele supporters included a majority of blacks. Zeese supporters' numbers were the smallest, though very vocal.
Glover asked each of the three candidates to give opening statements. Cardin stated, “I hope we will talk about the issues.” Cardin's statement emphasized his vote against the Iraq War and how the war has helped to lose focus on the fight against terrorism. He contrasted his stance against the Iraq War to Steele's stance: his support for stem cell research; his voting against President Bush's prescription drug plan; his support for universal health coverage; his support for minimum wage; and his support for the right of women to choose abortion. Cardin made every effort to tie Steele to President George W. Bush's policies on these matters.
Lt. Governor Steele, while not challenging Cardin's comparison, shot back a well-aimed retort to Cardin. He pointed out how Cardin excluded acknowledging Zeese from the debate in addition to his long litany of charges relating Steele to President George W. Bush's policies. Steele said, “What you just witnessed is the problem [with] Washington. They run their mouths but they don't listen. They still do not take the time to see who else is in the room.”
Steele talked about his humble roots citing how his mother making poverty wages for 45 years raised him. In an Horatio Alger ending, he stated now, he is a black who holds the highest statewide office in Maryland's history.
Kevin Zeese proudly cited, “Maryland never had a statewide race with three parties.” He boasted of his support of the Green, Libertarian and Populous Party. “Both parties (referring to Democrats and Republicans) conspire to sell this country to the highest bidder.” He drew his quote from Republican Senator McCain. He went on to say, the two parties play games with us. They manipulate us with fear.” Zeese pointed out that Cardin voted fourteen times to fund the war even though Cardin opposed the war.
One moderator asked candidates to respond to questions asked of all candidates. Before Cardin responded, he angrily responded to Steele's opening statement charges: “I have had more town hall meetings in the last several years than you have had in your entire public life.” One question centered on how candidates would address the failing school systems in Baltimore City and Prince George's County. Cardin responded that one solution was to “fund fully the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).” Steele too called for additional NCLB funding and Pell grants. Zeese called for free college education and using funds from pulling out of Iraq to fund public education.
In another question, candidates were asked what message voting or not voting for them sent to the public. Zeese responding said, “Democrats take blacks for granted.” He said, “Voting for me means change. Not voting for me, means voting for the status quo.” Cardin responded, “To bring about change.” A vote against him he said means, “I have not been successful in articulating the issues.” He added that he would be an independent voice in Congress. Steele responded, “How they will be empowered. Not voting for him he said would mean “the same old, same old.”
A question centered on business opportunities for blacks. Steele discussed the plan he implemented as Lt. Governor. He talked about the $365 million reserved pool for minority businesses. Zeese stated, “We need to have an ownership society.” He said that the first $100,000 income should not be taxed. He said that there should be a 22 percent wages and salary raise for all Americans. Cardin said that budget priorities needed changing-referring to changes needed in President Bush's the Iraq War policy. He stated specifically how the federal government should build more facilities in Prince George's County.
Still another question asked, was how the candidates would withdraw or stabilize Iraq. Cardin stated that troops should be redeployed without revealing a specific schedule of exiting. He also talked of convening an international conference for dealing with the issue. Steele talked about forging a strategy to win. He wants to empower the Iraqi people. He wants to stabilize Iraq as opposed to withdraw. Steele admitted that the war was not going well after the moderator pressed him for an answer. Zeese stated the he wanted “immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq”. He said, “Give Iraq back to the Iraqis.”
Moderators asked candidate specific questions. Cardin was asked about his stance on the Israel lobby in the U.S. Cardin stated, “Israel is vital to our interest in the Middle East. It is in U.S. interest that we have a secure Israel.” Posed to Zeese, was the question of throwing away their vote if they voted for him. He retorted, “Throwing your vote is when you vote for somebody you don't agree with.” Steele was asked who the real Michael Steele was. He answered in part. “I am 6'4'' African American, Republican, Catholic”
Candidates gave their closing statements. Steele said, “A senate seat is a terrible thing to waste. Consider the man and the opportunity that history presents us.” Cardin stated, ''Preserve the integrity of institution. Democrats, Republicans and Independents support my candidacy. I will be an Independent U.S. senator.” Zeese, said, “I agree with Cardin, let's send an independent to the U.S. Senate. I am running to win. The two parties are indebted to special interests.”
Robinson and Glover were asked how they rated candidates' responses to the moderators' questions. Robinson stated, “I would give them all “C’s.” Glover stated, “I would give them “B’s.”
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