Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Opinion

Matt Dernoga

In Maryland's primary elections, local Congressman Al Wynn was catapulted out of office by Maryland Democrats in favor of Donna Edwards. Wynn was known as the green-washing, right-wing Democrat heavily under the influence of large, mysterious bags with dollar signs on them donated by the oil lobby. What could have been inside? Edwards was a progressive activist who had made a tremendous difference in the community. Environmental groups across the state rallied behind him with endorsements and grassroots efforts.

I, myself, learned of the opportunity to go out and canvass but decided to double-check Wynn's reputation on the League of Conservation Voters National Environmental Scorecard. This useful tool records whether a politician voted pro-conservation on select pieces of legislation. When I took a look at Wynn's score in 2007, I almost choked on the air I was breathing when I saw it was 100 percent. How exactly is 100 percent considered green-washing and controlled by the oil lobby? Was there some sort of extra-credit Sudoku and crossword puzzle Wynn was supposed to complete to get his dues? Imagine what would have happened if the score had been a pesky 90 percent ... he might have been hired by ExxonMobil!

Despite the fact the vast majority of environmentalists are progressive and liberal, we need to look past the idea that the only people who can solve our problems are people as equally left of center. Although Wynn had a stellar 2007 environmental record, it's true he was more of a moderate Democrat and Edwards is much more liberal. This shouldn't have interfered with environmental groups' necessary objectivity in solely focusing on which candidate would better further their cause. I would argue that the powerful Congressman Wynn - as the Deputy Democratic Whip of the House - holding positions on environmental committees in Congress, would have stood a better chance of persuading those on the fence to support important future environmental legislation than a freshman Democrat who is far left of center.

While these groups were busy trying to replace the 100-percent score of Wynn with the potential 100-percent score of Edwards, another fierce election battle was taking place in the first congressional district, which includes the Eastern Shore and parts of several other counties. Moderate Republican incumbent Wayne Gilchrest, who often votes favorably when it comes to environmental bills and is receiving an Environmental Leadership Award from the LCV, was defeated by Andy Harris in the Republican primary. Harris was a legislator in the State Senate who could best be described as a cross between Pat Robertson and Ann Coulter. The man doesn't even have "energy" or "environment" listed under important issues on his campaign page! Not that there would be much to talk about, seeing as Harris's score for 2007 for the environment was 18 percent, and his lifetime score isn't very reassuring, either, at a robust 9 percent. Upon closer review, all Harris voted favorably for in 2007 was the Stormwater Management Bill, something every other politician in the state supported. No wonder he's lying lower than a groundhog on his website for this one.

It would have been much more tactful to prioritize keeping Gilchrest than expelling Wynn, but this race didn't receive nearly the attention it should have. If this were a game of chess, we just sacrificed both our bishops to save our pawn. A lot of us are swept up with an idea used in the presidential election of joining together to find common ground, reaching across the aisle and solving major problems with bipartisan legislation. It would be foolish to think this means extend a hand and proclaim in a very Ah-nold-like voice, "Come with me if you want to live," and have them follow blindly. This idea means compromising, making deals and tolerating the politicians who won't always vote the way we like but who, when it truly counts, will take the stand that matters most. It's time we bit the bullet and truly embraced coming together for change. This might sting a little, but biting the bullet for progress is certainly better than swallowing the grenade for permanence!

Matt Dernoga is a sophomore government and politics major. He can be reached at mdernoga@umd.edu.

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