I wrote a positive, fact-based appeal called "support Roger Manno for Maryland State Senator" on August 2nd. In it, I mentioned the incumbent Sen. Mike Lenett, only in reference to specific legislation he sponsored or failed to (co)sponsor. All references were 100% accurate. Here are the applicable quotes:
Roger's opponent, Sen. Michael G. Lenett, sponsored a bill to delay a needed ban on phosphates in detergents sold in Maryland. As reported by the Washington Post, "Lenett agreed to sponsor the bill at the request of the industry" and the bill passed "after heavy lobbying from Proctor & Gamble, one of the affected companies." Sen. Brian E. Frosh warned Lenett's bill would "add up to 15,000 pounds of phosphates to Bay waters." Why is this so serious? "Phosphates are particularly pernicious because they end up stored in sediments," wrote Frosh, who sponsored legislation [in 2007] authorizing the ban. "Once in the Bay, the phosphates resulting from [Lenett's legislation] will be available for years to fuel the algal blooms that each summer day destroy oxygen in the Bay's deep waters and threaten underwater grasses in the shallows." See: Frosh: Veto Phosphate Ban Delay by Anne Bartlett, The Washington Post, April 28, 2008 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.html
And:
Roger's opponent, Mike Lenett, failed to cosponsor the [crisis pregnancy center] bill in the Senate and the bill failed in Annapolis.
Mr. Brien Kinkel--a Sen. Lenett supporter--replied calling my comments "mean spirited," and "code for the worst tendencies in American politics, and the worst exclusionary practices in American society for the last couple of centuries." Wow! Really? Just the last few hundred years? Seriously, there are several reasons Mr. Kinkel's "case" for Sen. Lenett falls short, and not just because so much of it amounts to attacks on Del. Roger Manno and on me. Anyone who wants to can read my original comments and his reply using the links at the end of this writing. Rather than get side-tracked into a squabble, I'll stick with the facts and issues instead.
1. Effectiveness
The main case Mr. Kinkel makes for Sen. Lenett is "Delegate Manno's record does not come close to Senator Lenett's level of accomplishment." That's not what the Washington Post, the Gazette or others have found. In fact, The Gazette reported that Sen. Lenett is actually among the least effective members of Maryland's General Assembly. That includes Republicans in the minority on every committee and in both houses. Here are some of the quotes describing Sen. Lenett's lack of effectiveness: "Colleague problems ... A bill sponsored by him is often the kiss of death ... Maniacal and untrustworthy ... Doesn't know how to play in the sandbox." While there were a few positive quotes as well, the Gazette article took those into account and still named Sen. Lenett one of the bottom ten least effective legislators in the entire General Assembly--along with only 2 other Democrats. See:
http://www.gazette.net/thelist/repinfo.php?id=102 The Washington Post concurs, reporting that Sen. Lenett "undermined his own effectiveness by failing to forge strong relationships with too many of his colleagues or by alienating them outright." That hardly sounds like an accomplished, effective legislator! By contrast, Roger Manno achieved remarkable success on bills and reforms benefiting Maryland on healthcare, employment, access to prescription medicines for seniors, non-discrimination, organic farming, protecting seniors from fraud, and--this is critically important--earning the respect of his colleagues. That's why the Post and the Gazette and many key legislators and organizations endorsed Manno over Lenett in this contest.
Clear advantage: Manno
2. The Environment
Brien Kinkel would have us believe "Senator Lenett has passed substantial, meaningful legislation to protect the environment," but Roger Manno earned a perfect 100% lifetime environmental rating while Sen. Lenett did not. In 2008, Sen. Lenett's SB 710 delayed protections for the Chesapeake Bay--and we cannot focus on this fact too extensively. Sen. Lenett also voted against Sen. Brian Frosh's legislation to fine Bay polluters who violated the law Sen. Lenett delayed. That doesn't sound like an environmental champion. Mr. Kinkel again tries to shift focus to me--apparently hoping people don't focus on his candidate's record--writing: "Mike Hersh takes issue with a bill regarding phosphorous in dishwasher detergent that Senator Lenett sponsored, and suggests that Lenett is a friend of Maryland polluters." While I'm honored by this "shout out," the real issue is the Chesapeake Bay and poisonous phosphates, not yours truly. As the Washington Post reported:
Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) said that pushing the effective date of the ban from January 2010 to July 2010 would "add up to 15,000 pounds of phosphates to Bay waters."
"Phosphates are particularly pernicious because they end up stored in sediments," wrote Frosh, who sponsored legislation last year authorizing the ban. "Once in the Bay, the phosphates resulting from [the pending bill] will be available for years to fuel the algal blooms that each summer day destroy oxygen in the Bay's deep waters and threaten underwater grasses in the shallows."
The bill allowing the delay, sponsored by Sen. Michael G. Lenett (D-Montgomery), passed the Senate 25 to 22 after heavy lobbying from Proctor & Gamble, one of the affected companies. The margin in the House of Delegates was far more comfortable, 105 to 33.
Lenett agreed to sponsor the bill at the request of the industry, which is seeking to align the date of Maryland's ban with those of other states with similar legislation. See: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.htm
Lenett's supporters try to excuse his anti-Bay, pro-Proctor & Gamble bill by contending "many other states were enacting similar legislation." So what? Maryland had already passed strong legislation. While it is correct that other states were also set to also eliminate the poisonous chemicals from detergents behind Maryland's time-table, what other states do about the Bay should never govern what Maryland does. Maryland is exceptionally reliant on, and therefore we are exceptionally responsible for the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Furthermore, we in Maryland expect the best from our lawmakers, and set a high standard accordingly.
All excuses, spin, and double-talk aside, Sen. Lenett's bill changed Maryland law so big corporations could keep polluting, and he opposed efforts to punish those who broke the law once it finally took effect. Mr. Kinkel insists another bill made up for this, but that's not true. The fertilizer phosphates ban was Sen. Brian Frosh's bill. The same Sen. Frosh who spelled out the damage Lenett's pro-phosphates bill caused. If Sen. Lenett left well enough alone, we'd have benefited from both Frosh bills--the one Sen. Lenett delayed and the one he claims was his. All things considered, the Bay would be better off without Sen. Lenett's involvement. It's what happens to the Bay and the rest of the environment that matters. If you're for saving the Bay, you show it every year--not every other year. The record shows Sen. Lenett sides with out-of-state special interests--big polluters--against Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay when it matters most.
Clear advantage: Manno
3. Accountability and District 19's Tradition for Teamwork and Fairness
People should face up to their and their favored candidate's record honestly and responsibly. Unfortunately, not all candidates can do that. As this letter to the Gazette from Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Silver Spring entitled "Turned off by negative campaign" explains:
"I live in Leisure World and have attended forums where candidates for Maryland State Senate Mike Lenett and Roger Manno have spoken, and have been impressed with both men. I have been leaning toward Roger Manno but until recently had not really decided for whom to vote. The other day I was asked to participate in a telephone 'opinion poll survey,' which I agreed to do. The first questions were about my plans to vote in the coming Sept. 14 primary and Nov. 2 general elections.
Other questions related to whether I was leaning toward one candidate or the other and why; and would I be influenced to support either one by the endorsements of specific organizations or the Washington Post. I was surprised and disturbed, however, when I was asked 'What is your religion?' and although I responded, I was not comfortable doing so. When the interviewer then asked 'Did you know that Roger Manno ...' and went into a litany of negative statements about him, I immediately stopped her.
I said that I would not continue with the interview because I believed it was a deceitful and unethical campaign tactic in support of Mike Lenett and wanted no part of it. I also told her that her efforts were counterproductive because she had just convinced me that Roger Manno is by far the better candidate to represent District 19 in the Maryland State Senate." See: http://www.gazette.net/stories/08252010/montlet173358_32545.php
Several people made this assertion: A push poll smear campaign was unleashed against Delegate Manno to trick District 19 voters. Ruth Burgos-Sasscer is on record saying so. Using such underhanded, Karl Rove-type tactics to trick voters in a primary suggests more about those trying to benefit from them than the innocent targets of the push polls--the Manno campaign as well as the District 19 voters who deserve better. Maryland Politics Watch reported on this as well:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/08/manno-alleges-push-poll-by-lenett.html MPW is on the front lines officiating the "crossfire" between the Lenett and Manno campaigns regarding gun control, pointing out factual errors--if not out-right misrepresentations--in a recent official Lenett campaign mailer:
What Lenett does not say and Tripwire apparently does not know is that Manno also favors gun control. One of his first acts upon arriving in Annapolis was to introduce a local bill allowing Montgomery County to pass additional restrictions on guns that would have gone beyond state standards.
Manno put out this mailer in response, in which he states, "Mike Lenett has gone too far with his recent mailer on guns... Mike Lenett wants to win this Senate race at any cost, even if it means winning dirty." See: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/08/manno-alleges-push-poll-by-lenett.html
MPW also reported that "A secretive independent mailing sent into District 19 is in apparent violation of Maryland campaign finance law ... is linked to a union that has endorsed one of the competing Senate candidates. We expose that union’s identity today." That endorsed candidate happens to be Sen. Lenett. This raises some troubling concerns, as MPW observes, "The mailer appears to be illegal in multiple ways." Full disclosure: According to MPW, Sen. Lenett denies any involvement with this mailer, and I hope this is not part of the push poll pattern. See:
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/union-linked-to-independent-expenditure.html When some candidates feel the heat, they resort to fast-talking excuses or even dirty tricks like "push polls" and sneak-attack mailers. I guess with a record so stained that not even phosphate-laden detergent can clean it, the Lenett campaign is resorting to Karl Rove tactics. It's not just MPW, Gazette Readers and the Manno Campaign objecting to the Lenett Campaign's "win at all costs" approach and it's not just the Washington Post, the Gazette, Progressive Maryland and many others giving Sen. Lenett a failing grade. When people say "Sen. Mike Lenett will do anything to win," they sure have a lot of reasons to say so. I'm calling on the Lenett campaign to drop the dirty tricks and run a clean contest worthy of District 19.
Clear advantage: Manno
4. Keeping Maryland The Best
It's very telling that Sen. Lenett's supporters say Maryland's environmental protection should be no better than other states' if that's what out-of-state corporations that profit from pollution demand. According to this argument, Maryland should have schools only as good as Alabama's if that's what some special interests want. Once you start siding with out-of-state special interests turning back the clock on progress and excusing that by saying other states are no better, where does it end? Will Sen. Lenett join with big banking interests to roll back hard-won Maryland protections for home-owners facing the threat of foreclosure? Will Sen. Lenett help powerful out-of-state interests roll back Maryland's living wage and safety standards?
In this District 19 primary, we can answer a key question: Should we limit ourselves to what other states do? That's what Sen. Lenett does when it comes to protecting the Bay (and the jobs that rely on a living, thriving Chesapeake Bay). By contrast, Roger Manno is working for the people of Maryland. When a Manno bill passes, we're better off. With a Lenett bill, it's a big (Proctor &) Gamble. Luckily, we don't have to gamble with our future. We have a better choice in 2010 and his name is Roger Manno. Voting for Roger Manno means voting to keep Maryland the best. Why should we settle for--much less support--any less?
Clear advantage: Manno
5. The Best Leader for District 19, Montgomery County, and Maryland
Voters should select the candidate who will work with other State legislators to accomplish the most good for our families and communities.
The Chair of the Montgomery County delegation Brian Feldman said, "Delegate Manno's principled leadership and work ethic were essential on several of the most important progressive issues debated in the General Assembly over the past 4 years. His work as Vice-Chair of our Delegation's County Affairs Committee helped the County address some extremely challenging issues, including those relating to joblessness, social justice, and small business."
District 19 has enjoyed a long-standing tradition of teamwork and cooperation in Annapolis, and Roger Manno lives up to that tradition. He's demonstrated strong teamwork skills. Unfortunately, Sen. Lenett has not. Lenett was among three Democrats who joined all 14 of the Senate's Republicans in voting against the National Popular Vote measure, an innovative solution to work around the archaic Electoral College. If it goes into effect, the measure will award the Presidency to the winner of the national popular vote. If it had been in force in 2000, the National Popular Vote would have prevented the Florida Recount controversy, and we would have had President Al Gore (who won the most popular votes) instead of George W. Bush! Sen. Lenett joined Maryland Republicans opposing this pro-democracy reform. This See:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802150.html The Washington Post and the Gazette reported what's been heard all through Annapolis and Montgomery County. Leadership takes teamwork. Roger Manno knows that, and his career shows that. State Delegate Henry "Hank" Heller, (24 years of service to District 19), Former State Senator Leonard Teitelbaum (20 years as State Senator and State Delegate), Former State Delegate Adrienne Mandel (12 years as State Delegate), Former State Delegate Carol Petzold (20 years as State Delegate)--that's 76 years of public service to District 19 by my math--all agree that Roger Manno is the best choice to carry on their proud tradition of leadership through teamwork they set as lawmakers.
Clear advantage: Manno
6. Most Remarkable, Significant Endorsements
As the incumbent, Sen. Lenett has several significant endorsements, but most were automatic. Ask the endorsers, and--if they're honest--they'll admit they're forced by their rules to back any half-way decent incumbent. That's just the way many play the game. It's interesting to note that none of the rubber-stamp gang endorsed Jamie Raskin before the primary in 2006, but they all scrambled to get on his bandwagon after he won. Expect the same to happen this year in the Manno vs. Lenett contest. With that in mind, it's all the more remarkable that so many unions, elected officials, and leading organizations endorsed Roger Manno including:
The Washington Post
The Gazette
Del. Hank Heller, and Former Sen. Len Teitelbaum, Del. Adrienne Mandel, and Del. Carol Petzold
County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin, Chair of the Education Committee
State Delegate Sue Hecht, Chair of the Maryland Green Caucus
State Delegate Brian Feldman, Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation
State Delegate Susan Lee, Vice-Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation
State Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez, Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families
State Delegate Aisha Braveboy, Vice-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus
Mrs. Cherri Branson, Esq. Chair of the African American Democratic Club of Montgomery County
MCGEO--the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1994/Municipal County Government Employee Organization
Progressive Neighbors
NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
Montgomery Green Democrats
Montgomery County Public School Retiree Association (MCPSRA)
Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats (CAPAD-MD)
Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA)
Montgomery County Youth Slate
Hispanic Democratic Club of Montgomery County (HDC)
and dozens of other unions and organizations.
These endorsements count all that much more, because they buck the "back the incumbent" habit. It helps that Manno would never resort to push polls or sponsor bills to undermine environmental protection. Roger Manno is a progressive we can trust to do the right thing when people are watching, in the back rooms, all the time, every day. We can trust Roger Manno to serve the public interest--not special interests. That any challenger could rack up so many key and important endorsements says a lot about how key people in Annapolis and in District 19--as well as many concerned Maryland voters and groups--see this contest. NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland and Progressive Maryland among others took endorsements away from Sen. Lenett and gave them to Del. Manno. Because it's hard to not get an endorsement as an incumbent, each one Manno won is a failing grade for the incumbent and a huge vote of confidence for the challenger whose leadership through teamwork better fits District 19, Montgomery County, and Annapolis.
Advantage: Manno
Conclusions: people who care about clean government, a clean environment, clean and honest campaigns, accomplishment, teamwork, better food, safer working conditions, fairness, and much much more support Roger Manno for State Senate in District 19.
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My original comments, Support Roger Manno for Maryland State Senator:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PDA_Maryland/message/1407 Mr. Kinkel's response, The case to reelect Senator Mike Lenett (District 19):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PDA_Maryland/message/1423
