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In The Blog's-Eye: Swarming For Rep. Wynn?

Democratic bloggers have invested as much or more of their rhetorical energy into attacking lawmakers in their own party this year as they have Republicans.

Their first target was Rep. Henry Cuellar in Texas' 28th District. Bloggers backed former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, only to see him go down to defeat in the March primary.

Their biggest obsession since then has been Democratic Senate candidate Ned Lamont in Connecticut, who defeated Sen. Joseph Lieberman in the Aug. 8 primary. Blogs also played a role in the House primary defeat of Georgia Democrat Cynthia McKinney to Hank Johnson the same day.

So who's next on the list? It might be Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md. He is facing a spirited challenge from Donna Edwards, and MyDD's Matt Stoller both took up her cause and trashed Wynn on Friday. Stoller called Edwards "an extremely principled and savvy progressive," and he labeled Wynn "a terrible congressman," "a villain" and "a terrible politician."

Stoller argued that an ugly scene at a debate between the two last week might indicate that the race is at a turning point in Edwards' favor. "Well, Donna Edwards now has an opening, and a real shot at a victory," he said. "The race is competitive, and if she can raise her ID enough she can take Wynn down."

His arguments persuaded one reader unimpressed by the "Lieberman-esque Wynn" to toss his financial support toward Edwards. That reader happens to live in the congressional district and also held open the possibility of volunteering for Edwards. Two other readers said Stoller's post prompted them to make donations of $25 and $100 to Edwards.

She already is on her way to being the next Lamont. The question is whether Wynn will become the next Lieberman. Maryland voters will decide Sept. 12.

UPDATE: Jonathan Tasini of New York wishes he were the next Lamont, but so far, the New York Post reports that the netroots have not taken up his cause in Tasini's challenge to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. (Hat tip to Instapundit.)

UPDATE II: Stoller made official his crusade against Wynn and for Edwards. Americablog, Daily Kos, Eschaton and Firedoglake promptly joined the crusade, so the swarm once again is in full attack mode.

Edwards also won the endorsement of The Washington Post.

Posted by Danny | 08:15 AM

Comments

Well... between Miers, Dubai, and the immigration issue the radical conservatives have fractured the republican party equally as much.

I think the zealots are out of control on both sides. The pundits are polarizing and sound more like screeching mothers at a little league game anymore.

jimmy | 08.21.06 09:07 AM

I'm delighted that dems are attacking their own, delighted that joe l lost his race against lamont. perhaps if the rubberstamp repubs had tried using a little party oversight they wouldn't be in so much trouble now. if you know in your heart that something is wrong, i believe you have an obligation to try and right that wrong. this is what we do in our families, in our homes. why shouldn't we do the same in our political parties.

robert Lewis | 08.21.06 12:39 PM

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