Although only a couple of weeks old, the campaign of Republican Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele for the U. S. Senate is already running on empty, devoid of issues, ideas, and proposals to improve the lives of people in Maryland. The press has lavishly covered Steele’s efforts to attract African-American voters. But one searches in vain through the press stories, Steele’s speeches, or his website to find policies and programs addressed to the problems that African-Americans and other Marylander’s face in their daily lives.
Steele’s attempt to move up from second on the ticket to a candidacy of his own is like the scene in the movie Bull Durham, where a pitcher moves up from the minor to the major leagues. The first thing you need to learn when you get to the big time the grizzled veteran played by Kevin Costner tells him, is how to duck questions with clichés: phrases like, “I’m just here to help the team,” “I’ll take it one game at a time.” So far, the Steele campaign has relied on the political equivalent of empty sports clichés.
In his acceptance speech, Steele said, “Washington blames each other for our lack of a long-term energy policy.” Does he support the president’s energy program? If not, what alternative does he propose? He says, “Families are scrambling to pay for next semester’s tuition.” Does he support the cutbacks in student aid proposed by Republicans in Congress? Does he have a plan to make college affordable for students in Maryland? He says, “Families are trying to pay this October’s energy bills.” Does he support the cutbacks in assistance for the less affluent that Republicans are also proposing? Does he have a plan for liberating the people of Maryland from the fossil fuel economy?
As a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maryland, I intend to hold Michael Steele accountable for his failure to address the urgent issues of our time. Check out my website for positions on the issues that Michael Steele ducks:
Allan Lichtman for Senate.
