Dear XYZ,
For years we've had a problem: Black politicians who claim to represent us but undermine our interests. Today, we're taking a step towards fixing it.
Congressman Al Wynn from Maryland's 4th district is a perfect example of the lack of accountability that's hurting our community. He has consistently voted against the interests of his Black constituents, siding with the big business and other special interests that foot the bill for his campaigns. 1,2
His opponent in the primary, Donna Edwards, is exactly what we need in Washington. She has an excellent record of activism and has been a powerful advocate for policies that will help the Black community, especially low-income Black folks. 3
If elections were won on candidates' records, Edwards would destroy Wynn, but Wynn has the Democratic establishment and business interests on his side. For Edwards and other candidates like her to win, everyday people have to stand up and give their direct support.
Today we're asking you to consider a contribution to help Donna's campaign. Two years ago, she nearly beat Wynn. If we stand up and support her to victory this time, we'll send a necessary and powerful message: that we have the organization and power to replace unaccountable politicians with leaders who will listen to us and represent our interests.
Anything you can give will help, whether it's $5, $25, $50, or more. It takes just a moment:
http://www.colorofch...
This race isn't simply about a choice between two candidates. It's about whether or not representatives like Al Wynn can stay in office when they repeatedly cast votes against the interests of their constituents. It's about whether or not members of the Congressional Black Caucus--which claims to work for the interests of Black people and describes itself as the "conscience of Congress"--can afford to turn its back on the Black community.
Earlier this year, when we fought the Congressional Black Caucus Institute over its presidential debate partnership with Fox News,4 we were fighting against exactly the kind of disconnected, unaccountable Black political leadership that has become too common. No one who really looks out for the interests of Black people would agree to partner with a TV network that consistently attacks our community and advances some of the worst messaging around race. And if any truly accountable representatives made that mistake, they would at least respond to the concerns of their constituents. Yet when more than 30,000 ColorOfChange members called on the CBC to cancel the partnership, we were met with silence, with some CBC members actively marginalizing us and attempting to silence our voices.
Al Wynn was one of the CBC members who ignored us and then actively worked to support the CBC/Fox partnership, but his lack of accountability didn't start there. Time and time again, he's voted with Republicans to create policies that do great harm to our community. 5,6 And he's engaged in dirty campaign tactics that show little respect for his constituents.7
We firmly believe Donna Edwards will win, but even if she doesn't her challenge to Wynn is important. It puts other politicians on notice that they must remain accountable to the concerns of their constituents, and that if they don't, they'll be challenged in a serious, meaningful way. In particular, it sends a strong message to Black members of Congress: if they claim to speak for us and represent us, they'd better live up to that claim if they want to hold onto their jobs. That kind of accountability is what democracy is all about.
You can help send that message by supporting Donna's campaign, here:
http://www.colorofch...
Thank You and Peace,
-- James, Van, Gabriel, Mervyn, Clarissa and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org PAC team
November 1st, 2007
References:
1. "For Congress in Maryland" (endorsement), The Washington Post, 8-30-06
http://colorofchange...
2. FEC disclosure for Al Wynn
http://query.nictusa...
3. "About Donna," Donna Edwards for Congress campaign website
http://www.donnaedwa...
4. "Dancing with the Devil," ColorOfChange.org email, March 14, 2007
http://www.colorofch...
5. "Al Wynn is back," DownWithTyranny!, June 8, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/2...
6. CBC Monitor Report Card, 2006
http://cbcmonitor.vo...
7. "... Wynn Supporters Literally Beat Down Challenger's...?," BlackProf.com, August 8, 2006
http://colorofchange...
8. "Donna Edwards vs Al Wynn -- The Rematch," Jack and Jill Politics, June 12, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/3...
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