Cardin makes the leap, announces U.S. Senate bid

[nickshepDEM]

From the Baltimore Sun

Benjamin L. Cardin, the studious congressman from Baltimore County who has spent his political career mastering fiscal issues such as Medicare reform, announced yesterday that he is running for the U.S. Senate.

"I stand here today because I've gotten real results," he said. "I stand here today because experience does count."

Elected to the Maryland General Assembly at age 23 on the strength of his family's financial support and well-known name among Baltimore's Jewish community, Cardin quickly earned the respect of his colleagues for his intellect and temperament. He was named chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee before he was 30 and later served as House speaker.

"His academic brilliance, his law-making experience, his comprehensive vision and his flawless character will make him an outstanding United States senator," said former Maryland House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. of Cumberland, who was in Frederick yesterday.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.cardin27apr27,1,1514475.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines

[OnBackground]

1. Cardin in the Spotlight

Culled an long article with lots of interesting history are Rollcall's key points points on Cardin vs. Mfume vs. Van Hollen: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/50_106/politics/9032-1.html

"With 39 years of elective office under his belt, he’s (Cardin) well-known across the state and is highly respected both at home and in Washington, D.C. His deliberative, cerebral style and passion for policy receives favorable comparisons to Sarbanes, who has held the Senate seat since 1977."

--snip--

"Along with these advantages, Cardin appears to enjoy broad, if muted, support from the Maryland Democratic establishment. And as the only Jewish candidate in the race, he is poised to reap political cash from some of the party’s most active national donors."

--snip--

"But in assessing what is shaping up to be a highly competitive Democratic primary, there is another part of Cardin’s history to also consider: For all his strengths, which will carry him far in the primary, the 61-year-old Congressman has never once competed in a close election."

--snip--

"By contrast, Cardin’s two likeliest Democratic primary opponents, former Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who has already entered the race, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who has created an exploratory committee, have plenty of tough political contests under their belts."

And in the race to succeed Cardin in Congress: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/50_106/atr/9031-1.html

"With Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D) now officially running for Senate, add Baltimore City Health Commissioner Peter Beilenson (D) to the list of possible candidates for Cardin’s 3rd district seat."

--snip--

"Beilenson, who has been associated with several liberal causes in Maryland through the years, said he would decide on whether to make the House race within the next two months."