- Originally published in Roll Call March 28, 2005
By Donna L. Brazile
While
working the room at a recent event honoring legendary civil rights icon
Dorothy Height and Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson, I
couldn't help but listen to the other rumblings in the room. Yes, we
had all gathered to support the National Council of Negro Women and to
celebrate the Congressional Gold Medalist's 93rd birthday. But, there
were other reasons to be joyful on this auspicious occasion. Kweisi
Mfume was, literally, back in the House.
The
former Member of Congress from Baltimore and the recently retired
president and CEO of the nation's oldest civil rights organization was
holding court between executing his official duties as master of
ceremonies. Kweisi's regal presence not only caused a stir as he worked
the room, presumably to greet old acquaintances, but because another
buzz was making the rounds. The rumor that other Democrats, notably
Rep. Benjamin Cardin, were also ready to jump in the open-seat race for
retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes' (D) seat.
The
very suggestion of this caused some of Kweisi's admirers to walk away,
shouting "no way." But other listeners, like myself, looked at each
other and said: "Not this time." Democrats had better pay attention to
what's happening in Maryland before allowing other candidates to create
a potentially major rift in the party's base.
From
D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams (D) to former Democratic National Committee
Vice Chairman Bill Lynch, everyone greeted Mfume as if the 2006
election was all but over.
"Hello
Senator," one guest greeted him. "Senator, we cannot wait to see you up
there with Barack Obama," said Susan Taylor, editorial editor at
Essence Magazine. But just as the vibe was getting good, the news of
rumors of another Democrats challenging Mfume caused many in attendance
to get downright upset.
Many African Americans
and some in the progressive communities, including the National
Organization for Women and Feminist Majority, have simply had it with
the notion that every time a qualified woman or minority seeks higher
office, the old ghost of "wait your turn" makes an appearance to clamp
down our enthusiasm. Enough is enough. It's time Democrats put up or
shut up about encouraging more women and people of color to seek higher
office. The 2006 election may well be our day of reckoning.
In
addition to Mfume, Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D)is contemplating running for
the U.S. Senate to replace retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist
(R) in Tennessee. Will Democrats embrace him deep in the "red"South? In
Ohio, two African Americans may face off in the
gubernatorial contest. Republican Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is
likely to challenge (if they both win their respective primaries)
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman (D). What will Democrats do in that
state?
And perhaps Deval Patrick, a former
top official in the Clinton administration who is running around
Massachusetts building up political support for a potential
gubernatorial bid, will get the nod from Bay State Democratic Sens.
John Kerry and Edward Kennedy. I hope so.
From
my vantage point, all of those mentioned above as being interested in
seeking statewide office are just as qualified as any other candidate.
They have experience in public or appointed office, knowledge about the
jobs they are seeking, high name recognition and the ability to raise
millions of dollars. Given that, it's time Democrats put aside their
reluctance to embrace these candidates and throw their full support
behind them. And they need to do so early enough to demonstrate our
commitment to inclusion - and before it's too late.
This is not about affirmative action or setting up a
quota system (although I have no problem with using affirmative action
as a tool to enhance diversity in enrollment, hiring and other areas).
This is about African Americans
and other loyal constituencies receiving a return on 40 years of
investing our valuable political capital in the Democratic Party and
giving our monolithic support to the party's candidates. If not now,
when? If not Kweisi, Harold, Deval, Michael and so many others, than
who else is out there with comparable or greater experience?
I'm
sorry, but Mfume is more than another Senate candidate. He will become
a symbol of how Democrats intend to treat qualified black candidates in
the future. When it came to backing a Senatorial candidate in
Pennsylvania, Democratic leaders in the Senate had no qualms about
picking a male candidate, Bob Casey Jr., over Barbara Hafer. As a
Democratic strategist, I understand that Reps. Cardin, Dutch
Ruppersberger, Chris Van Hollen and others may simply be testing the
waters or using this as an opportunity to build up their names for
future consideration. I just hope they respect the fact that many black
and progressive voters intend to claim this seat for one of their own.
There's no doubt that African Americans
share the desire of Democratic Sens. Harry Reid (Nev.) and Charles
Schumer (N.Y.) to win back the Senate. We understand the importance the
2006 election will play in determining the composition of the courts,
renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and other important legislative
initiatives. There's no reason to remind us of the dangers of a
Republican-controlled Congress. We get it!
Like
many Americans, we feel the loss of jobs in our urban centers. We see
the broken dreams of those living at or near the poverty line. That is
why we want someone like Mfume in the Senate: someone who came from
nothing and made something out of his life to become a champion for the
"least, last and left behind."
Donna L.
Brazile, the campaign manager for Democratic presidential nominee Al
Gore in 2000, runs her own grass-roots political consulting firm.