Finley Peter Dunne, an American humorist and writer, originated the aphorism, “Politics ain’t beanbag.” Recent events in the 2016 presidential primaries are, once again, proving this adage.
Politics in America has never been for the faint of heart. It is not a spectator sport. It is rough and tumble. And this is a primary season like none other seen before.
At this point, both parties have an interesting cast of characters. The carnival barker, the angry arch conservative, “the boy in the bubble,” and the good doctor. And, they are all in the Republican Party. The Democrats currently have a rumpled Socialist senator and a former first lady, who has been around and in the public eye for over 30 years. What a cast of characters. One of this menagerie will become the next president of the United States.
Elections in America have, for centuries, been nasty affairs.
History is replete with dirty tricks, smears, rumors, and stolen elections. The recent close results in the Iowa Caucus was, on the Democrats’ side, essentially determined by a coin toss. Not the best way to determine the political will of the voters.
There is really no recourse in Iowa as the caucuses there are party affairs and not state primary elections. The small percentage by which Hillary Clinton claimed victory in Iowa is a laughable matter. The Ted Cruz dubious action toward Dr. Ben Carson was despicable and showed, for all his rhetoric, Cruz understands the use of “Washington ethics.” An insincere apology by Cruz to Carson on a television debate was quite obvious. But hardball was played and the damage was done. Politics is a rough business.
Politics is a tough business at any level of government in the United States. Currently in Maryland there are several tough political battles. The Maryland General Assembly is underway in Annapolis. Since the election of a Republican governor, a tough battle has ensued with the Democratic-controlled state legislature. This year the legislative proposals by the governor regarding his budget, taxes, education, and transportation will be areas of contention. The Democratic leadership is trying to ascertain the best way to be effective with a governor who is enjoying a high degree of popularity. The governor’s legislative proposals are challenges to which the legislature must react. Not an easy task for either the governor or the legislature. This session will see a serious effort to lower taxes for all Maryland citizens. With compromise appearing to be viable in Annapolis, it may be possible for tax cuts to become a reality this year.
Then there is the election to fill a seat in the United States Senate. The decision of Congressman Cummings of Baltimore City not to run for the United States Senate leaves the battle for this position in the Democratic primary as a race between two members of Congress from the Washington suburbs. Congresswoman Donna Edwards seeks to be the first African-American senator from Maryland and is being challenged by Congressman Chris Van Hollen. This is a tough battle between two liberals that has already seen charges and countercharges over campaign contributions. With this battle being between two candidates from the Washington suburbs, Baltimore City will play a key role in determining the winner of the Democratic primary. The Republican Party will have a viable primary, assuring a general election battle for this Senate seat. It has been many years since Maryland Republicans have been able to elect a United States Senator from Maryland. This will be an interesting race to watch.
Another election to watch is the race for mayor in Baltimore City. This election will be critical to the future of Maryland’s largest city. There are many challenges facing the new mayor in Baltimore City. There are a total of 18 candidates vying to be the new mayor. In reality, the winner of the Democratic primary will become the next mayor of Baltimore. This will be a tough battle with a previous mayor and previous mayoral candidate facing off against new, younger faces, as well as a Black Lives Matter activist. Crime and jobs will be the paramount issues in this election; however, housing, education, and transportation are all issues that must be addressed. This election, with its multitude of candidates, will be tough and a real fight for power in a city with a real need for new vision and leadership,
So from the White House to City Hall there will be tough elections occurring in the spring and fall of this year, elections crucial to the direction of the United States and the renewal of Maryland’s largest city. The key roll of the citizens is to become informed and to debate, decide, and vote in these significant elections.
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