Cardin rallies blacks in PG

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Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin yesterday tried to rally support among black Democrats in Prince George's County, while Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele campaigned with county Democratic leaders who broke ranks this week to endorse him.

Mr. Cardin appeared with Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson and about 30 other lawmakers in Hyattsville, aiming to keep a diminishing lead in the polls.

Mr. Johnson noted that he supported Mr. Cardin's opponent in the primary -- Kweisi Mfume, past president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

"Unfortunately, as Democrats, we know we can only have one winner," Mr. Johnson said.

Mr. Mfume narrowly lost the nomination and trounced Mr. Cardin in Prince George's, with 74,637 votes to Mr. Cardin's 19,824.

In his first public show of support for Mr. Cardin, Mr. Johnson said the 10-term congressman is "one fantastic individual that will represent us in the United States Senate."

"I am proud and a strong supporter of Ben Cardin for the United States Senate," Mr. Johnson said.

But the rally turned sour later. State Sen. Nathaniel Exum, Prince George's Democrat, berated Mr. Cardin for excluding him and other local delegates from speaking or being mentioned.

"You do the same [stuff] over and over again, just ignore us," Mr. Exum yelled at Mr. Cardin after the rally, which was held in Mr. Exum's district.

Mr. Cardin shrugged off the incident.