Reply #2: The Washington Post poll has Cardin up by 10

[Frances]

I think that Maryland is 30% African American. Cardin defeated Mfume in the primary in a close race. Republicans are hoping that African Americans will desert the Dem Cardin in enough numbers so that Steele can pull this one out.

Steele is personable by all accounts and ran very clever ads. He held a rally with African Americans holding blue signs that said Steele Democrat (his excuse is that he's just copying Reagan Democrats).

Mfume and Cardin never went negative against each other and both said they were friends. Mfume has endorsed Cardin and Obama has appeared at a rally with Cardin since the primary.

Cardin is a wonk, but a good one in my opinion.