Hoyer bash shifts focus to White House race, strategy

Democrats unite at tradmark bull roast

by Alan Brody | Staff writer

MITCHELLVILLE - U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer is up for re-election in November, but the race at the top of the ticket takes top billing on his to-do list.
Democrats must unite now to ensure U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is elected president, Hoyer (D-Md., 5th) told hundreds of supporters at his 28th annual bull roast Friday night.

The House Majority Leader urged attendees to heed the words of one-time presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in her recent endorsement of Obama (D-Ill.).

‘‘She said the issues in our country are the most important focus of any of us and we need to come together now to change our country [and] put it on the right track," he said. ‘‘Eighty-two percent of America believes we're headed in the wrong direction ... and they're going to reach out and lift up this country, and they're going to elect Barack Obama and then they're going to add to the majority in the House of Representatives."

Politicians came from near and far to attend Hoyer's trademark fundraiser at the Newton White Mansion in Prince George's County, which draws Democratic activists from throughout the 5th District and beyond. Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot and former Gov. Marvin Mandel were among the VIPs. Even former U.S. Rep. Helen Delich Bentley, a Republican who served with Hoyer for five terms, was there.

That demonstrates how highly respected Hoyer is, said Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank M. Kratovil Jr. (D), who is running for the 1st Congressional District.

‘‘You look around this event, and it's quite a testament to our majority leader and what he has been about as a leader in this state and now in this country," he said.

Although the $35-a-head event raises money for Hoyer's own campaign trough - fundraising totals were unavailable at press time - he made no mention of his own contest in November against four-term Charles County Board of Education member Collins A. Bailey, a Republican from Waldorf. Beltsville resident Darlene H. Nichols, a Libertarian who failed in bids for state representative and secretary of state in Connecticut, joined the 5th District field on Tuesday.

Democrats have already gained three seats in the House of Representatives since the 110th Congress convened in January 2007, having won special elections in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi that were previously held by Republicans in districts won by President George W. Bush (R). That, Hoyer said, is an example that voters are hungry for change.

‘‘There are a whole lot of people in America who want us to lift them up to what they ought to be," he told the partisan-charged crowd. ‘‘[There are] a whole lot of people who have a real problem in America today buying groceries for their families, a whole lot of people in America today who are having a real problem making sure they can get to and from work because they can't afford the gas, a whole lot of people in America today who are worried about losing their home and they're looking to us, they're looking to Democrats ... to help them in times of trouble."

Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Michael E. Cryor also predicted that Democrats will win the White House and gain seats on Capitol Hill.