Cardin skips debate in Charles County

U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin last night skipped an NAACP-sponsored debate in Charles County, Md., a day after the Democratic Senate nominee stammered and stumbled during a faceoff with the Republican nominee, Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele.

Debate organizers said they had expected Mr. Cardin to participate but his campaign had not made a firm commitment to appear with Mr. Steele and Kevin Zeese, the nominee of the Green, Libertarian and Populist parties.

Cardin campaign spokesman Oren Shur said that a scheduling conflict prevented the 10-term congressman from attending the debate at New Community Church of God in Christ in Waldorf.

“He’s campaigning at community events in Prince George’s County tonight and has accepted an invitation to debate at the statewide NAACP conference [in Baltimore] on Saturday,” Mr. Shur said. “We expect to see Michael Steele there.”

Mr. Steele said last night that he would try to adjust his schedule to be there.

The candidates fielded a question about how they would end hate crimes such as the arson fire in 2004 in Charles County in which five white men set fire to more than two dozen homes owned mostly by black families.

Mr. Zeese said racism is still a large part of life for black Americans, and that the problem can be solved only through direct and honest conversation.

“We need to be honest about this big elephant in our living room and face up to racism in this country,” he said.

Mr. Steele said he is still viewed as a black man every time he enters a room.

“Talking about it doesn’t get us to where we need to be,” Mr. Steele said. He also said there are still not enough blacks on corporate boards or running TV networks and major newspapers.

“I don’t see us,” he said. “We have a long way to go.”

Mr. Steele also said the only way to break the cycle of racism is to teach children not to hate.

The debate last night was measured and sober, compared to the one Wednesday.

About 170 people were inside the church, where Mr. Steele and Mr. Zeese also took questions on education, transportation, jobs and the economy, and the Iraq war and foreign policy. The candidates agreed on several issues, including the need to explore alternative energy, cut taxes and modernize the Social Security system.

Mr. Steele suggested a federal-state-local partnership to improve traffic problems that have put a “chokehold” on commuting and other travel from Montgomery County all the way to Southern Maryland.

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