Donna Edwards

Not to dwell on the afforementioned Matt Bai article on Obama's effect on black politics, but the author mentions something of note on his website.

'No, I mean their mega-consultants -- not my mega-consultants who also happen to be theirs.'

On Winning, Life Inside Congress & Lessons From Bill Clinton

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington)

On Saturday, July 19, U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) traveled to Austin, Texas to finally speak in person with those who were among the first to listen to her and a message that would oust an entrenched incumbent less than two years later.

Edwards was the keynote speaker at ‘Netroots Nation,’ a gathering formerly known as YearlyKos, based off the popular progressive blog, DailyKos.com. Netroots Nation is an annual gathering of the left-of-center online political community and attracts a ‘who’s who’ of Democratic politics. Former Vice President Al Gore and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also addressed the gathering in person, while U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) addressed the conference by a taped message.

But few Party leaders have the stature Edwards maintains in that community. Like 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean and 2006 U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont before her, she became an online icon for her ability to channel the power of the Internet into boots-on-the-ground action.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen addresses reporters: Progressive Maryland PhotoWASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington) and U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) joined USAction, a non-for profit organization, and other members of Congress on Thursday, to show their support for the organization’s “Invest in America’s Future” proposal.

The plan is designed to target what USAction calls America’s “economic crisis,” with health care, energy and education being the center pieces. Marvin Silver, USAction’s campaign manager, described the plan as “long-term investments for our future.”

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) received her first two committee assignments on Thursday. The House’s newest member will serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.

“These are two tremendous committee assignments,” said Edwards in a statement. “I would like to thank my colleagues for the opportunity to serve on these committees. We face serious challenges and I look forward to immediately getting to work on these committees in order to help my district and our country move in a new direction.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressed confidence in Edwards.

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards: Campaign photo

Fourth district U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington), the newest member of Congress, will deliver the keynote address at the 'Netroots Nation' conference in Austin, Texas on the evening of July 19.

Netroots Nation, formerly known as 'Yearly Kos,' began in 2006 as a conference for left-of-center political activists, many of whom frequented the website DailyKos.com. It's sponsor list reads as a who's who of progressive interests and organizations.

The event will include dozens of caucuses and workshops for activists. Other speakers include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, blogger Markos Moulitsas, activist Van Jones and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman.

We feel like someone mentioned this along the way (The Gazette perhaps?), but NPR's Ken Rudin digs up this piece of history (and campaign button) about Fourth district Republican Peter James.

The current Peter James, who lost to Donna Edwards (D) on June 17 to fill the seat vacated by Albert Wynn (D), is 52 years old. The senior Peter James ran not against [Spiro] Agnew in '66 but in the GOP primary in 1970, after Agnew had gone off to become vice president. That James lost the primary to Agnew's administrative assistant, Stanley Blair, who in turn got crushed by Democrat Marvin Mandel in November.

If drilling talk is read as capitulation to Republican messaging, as those in the Democratic base angry with him over FISA will undoubtedly do, it could spell more trouble for Steny Hoyer's future in party leadership.

Donna EdwardsIt should be hard to keep up with Fourth district U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington), given how active she is. Yet her office works tirelessly at communicating the latest accomplishments of Congress’s newest addition.

This morning, Edwards released a statement celebrating Independence Day and the latest legislation passed by the House Democratic majority.

“For 232 years, our great nation has celebrated its independence each fourth day of July,” she said. “And while this time offers us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy barbecues and fireworks in the company of friends and family, it is also a time to reflect, honor and cherish our rich history as a nation – not always perfect but ever growing and learning from our experiment with governance.”

LARGO - U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) is continuing the process of hiring staff. Maryland’s newest U.S. Representative told PolitickerMD.com, “We’re in the process of interviewing for our senior staff, legislative director, chief of staff and district manager.” 

 “And then we’re going to have a really terrific team management concept,” she added. “We’re going to proceed to open up district offices,” throughout MD-4.