In response to a question from an NAACP member, Zeese deflected the notion that the Green Party and other independents were spoilers and explained that “anytime there is need for change, it doesn’t come from the two major parties, but independents. The fight to abolish slavery, the civil rights movement, any major change that has occurred in our country has been due to the work of people like you and me who get tired of the same politics of the Democrats and the Republicans. There is no difference between them. And that is why it is crucial that we vote for something we actually believe in.”

Zeese’s agenda is radical, common sense and populist. He wants to fight poverty in Maryland by sharing the state’s wealth like they do in Alaska. He wants to reduce crime and prison population by redefining what merits incarceration, empowering ex-offenders and by funding youth offender programs. Above all, he proposes an impeachment inquiry of President Bush and his vice for invading Iraq, a situation he describes as “occupation”.

Democrat Ben Cardin and republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele had no comebacks to that but reluctantly resolved to squabble over the virtues and/or vices of being a Washington insider, supported the basis for war in Iraq, funding for public schools and crime fighting record.  An eloquent Steele, coolly absorbed Cardin’s portrayal of him as a Bush-man and a Washington outsider and effectively counter-attacked by calling the Democrat on almost every aspect of his twenty-year record. The forth contender, the write-in

candidate Le Young who seemed to have a very deep distrust for government of any kind, offered little more than comic relief.

The Convention which was held at the Radisson Hotel in Baltimore offered a platform for twelve candidates vying for Governor, Comptroller and Attorney General to present the highlights of their campaign in less than ten minutes to a hall packed with Baltimore NAACP executive and members, local press, pundits and the general public.

The candidates for Governor, Comptroller and Attorney General took turns to offer their usual campaign speeches enumerating achievements and promising solutions to a rather unanimated yet partisan group of concerned citizens. All gubernatorial contenders promised to increase funding for Thornton, fight crime, improve health care

delivery and make Marylanders less poor.Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, who moderated the event, said it behooves all eligible citizens to make their voices heard and their choices clear. Come Tuesday November 7, Marylanders are expected to throng the polls to cast their ballots in their numbers to elect candidates to occupy seats for U.S. State Senate, Congress, State Comptroller and Attorney General.

“Voting has the capacity to ensure that the candidates you want to represent you are put in the right positions. It is our duty to make sure that happens.” Cheatham was speaking at the 66th Annual NAACP Convention last Saturday October 28.  There to establish their case for Governor were incumbent Robert Ehrlich, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, Populist Chris Driscoll and independent Ed Boyd. Montgomery County State Attorney Doug Gansler and Frederick County State Attorney Scott Rolle were there to vie for the Attorney General slot. Only former University of Baltimore Dean republican Anne McCarthy showed up for the slot of Comptroller.