lets not count Mfume out so quickly

is 48-44

In fairness, Mfume has not gotten out there yet.  

Steele, on the other hand, has sat in a position that gets some notice, and can be harnassed for cheap publicity.

The NAACP has limited scope and reach these days.  Also, since it is not considered "local news", coverage on TV locals isn't going to be as saturated as the Lt. Gov. might get.

But, it is worth considering that MD is a Dem stronghold, Mfume isn't a big winner with black voters, and Mfume has some scandal on his tail.

Given the current time frame, that's not a huge deal.  But, I think Dems need to get any of his scandals out there, make sure the public can bear them, and dump him before 2006 if the public isn't receptive.

if for no other reason than the honesty about race, and no one being offended by its realities in American politics for once.

As everyone knows I believe Steele will beat Cardin and only Mfume can beat Steele.  (Jerome you need to spend some time in PG county.)

These numbers are good for Mfume--better than I expected.

These poll numbers show white people in MD supporting Steele over Mfume for now.  Mfume can and will win back the Dem base in MD--white and black--and he is so persuasive in person that Dem party moderates (who don't want a black Senator) will come around when they get over that fact--or else they won't vote and it won't matter anyway.

Steele can't beat Mfume--there is no contest--not in MD.  Mfume is a true blue homeboy, a known entity, with a powerful story, and great presence, executive skills, and charismatic.  I don't think Cardin can best Steele.  Steele has too nice a personna for mainstream blacks to vote against him.  They want a highly placed black offical--they deserve that--and I think they are going to get it, one way or another.

Cardin is a great Dem and deserves to be Senator--10 years ago.  Let's move on and put another progressive African American in the Senate!

The people of Maryland know nothing about Steele's right wing views. He hasn't accomplished anything, and holds the do-nothing Lt. Governor's position.  Once the ads are up and the framing begins, I expect Cardin to shoot up and even Mfume to move up.  Steele will be a big headache if he gets into the Senate, painting himself as a moderate while spewing rightwing talking points and toeing the Dobson party line.  The State Party must paint him as a potential threat and link him with Bush, Rove, Delay and the rest of the Right Wing Taliban.  

Could somebody PLEASE get Warner to run for Senate in VA? The poll numbers are interesting because every other poll I've seen has Allen winning. I guess this means if there is a Warner-Allen Presidential showdown in '08, that Warner would take Virginia??

Let's be honest here. It's great if mark warner has a strong shot at the Senate. He should take it. He's proved that despite his fairly strange-looking face, densures, and pole thin body he can get elected state-wide.

But he doesn't have a shot at national politics, where you have to be telegenic. It hurt kerry so bad, he felt the pressure to get BoTox photos.

It is notable that Cardin leads Steele 45-40 even though Steele's name recognition is surely higher.