Elsewhere: Editor of The Nation comments on Raskin win
I have been surprised at how little coverage that Metro area media has given to the Raskin landslide. I stopped by the Jamie Raskin victory party on Tuesday night, expecting to see other media—maybe even a reporter from News Channel 8. But as far as I could tell, the only media representatives there were I; my intrepid assistant, Julie Wiatt; Marc Cohen, producer of Coffee House; and a local blogger (who may or may not want to be nameless—so I'll keep him anonymous for now).
However, Katrina Van Huevel, editor of the Nation magazine had this to say about the Raskin win: "I believe there are four issues in this election year: The Constitution--DEFEND IT; The War --END IT; National Health Care --PASS IT ; Corporate Power--CURB IT. If you believe, as I do, that this nation faces these (and other) critical issues, and that we must confront them with intelligence, sanity, decency--and passion....then all of us won with Jamie's win."
Quite a mouthful about a state senate race. Of course, Jamie and his father, Marcus, have been frequent commentators at The Nation.
To read the entire article on Jamie's win, click here: Pointing the Way
I realize that we've already posted quite a bit about the Raskin win in recent days. We are awaiting a Guest Blog from a Ruben supporter with his analysis of the election. And I should be posting a fuller analysis, myself, shortly. The day after the election, I sent a quick analysis to the Takoma Voice list, and I've been looking to grab a few minutes to finish it.
I was on Montgomery Week in Review (rebroadcasting Sunday at 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM) yesterday, talking about the election, but time went by so fast that I feel like I barely scratched the surface.
—ed.
Comments
Katrina Van Huevel, editor of the Nation magazine in praising (soon-to-be) Senator Raskin wrote:
"Maryland, as many of you know, has been in the forefront of fights to expand health care, check corporate power and protect workers in recent years. Indeed, with the legislature's vote to require Wal-Mart to behave with a measure of responsibility-- providing some health benefits for its workers, Maryland made national news."
In doing so she summarized Progressive Maryland's successful efforts led by Tom Hucker.
Taking nothing from Jamie, we should also be invigorated by Tom's election. He's a progressive who has gotten things done and will continue to do so.
Posted by: tom gagliardo | September 15, 2006 04:59 PM
You know, Ida was about all those things that Van Huevel named, too. And I just don't see how Raskin makes any difference for us on that. It's part of the more-righteous-than-thou arrogance of his campaign that repelled me.
I'm not too fussed one way or the other between Raskin and Ruben, because I'll get the same ideological representation in Annapolis. I hope that among the four LD 20 people at least one of them will deliver constituent service of the same calibre as Dana and Ida. And it would behoove them to do so to avoid the fate of Gareth Murray.
But golly gosh, the sheer pretentiousness of the Raskin campaign and rhetoric (the US Constitution and the war? national health care? we're going to get these taken care of from Annapolis?) is so off putting. It's all a confection of liberal delusion and pretense. Perhaps to start off the Raskin Crusade to Annapolis at the opening of session all his true believers can rally and walk all the way to Annapolis singing "Glory Hallelujah" -- or at least from the stadium parking lot to the State House.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 16, 2006 12:02 PM