Maryland Democrats Will Honor Steele

Last year the Maryland Democrats were criticized for not defending Lt. Gov. Steele from racial comments and demonstrations against him when he began his run for the Senate. In light of that it is too their credit that they will honor him in their Black History Month mass e-mail.

Mr. Steele, the first black elected to statewide office in Maryland, will be celebrated Monday as part of the state Democratic Party's campaign to honor a black Marylander each day this month, Mr. Walker said.

The party distributes a daily e-mail spotlighting the day's honoree.

When told of the party's plans, Mr. Steele said it sounded like a joke -- but added that he would be appreciative if the Democrats truly mean to honor him.

"I appreciate the honor, and I thank them for it," the lieutenant governor said.

Some black Democratic lawmakers said it is about time their party credited Mr. Steele for raising the profile of black Marylanders in state politics.

"I think it is a great idea," said Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr., Baltimore County Democrat. "Michael Steele is an honorable man."

Achievement should be honored by all, to denigrate or ignore the achievement of anyone for political reasons should be condemned. The Maryland Democrats are remarkable in their honoring of Lt. Gov. Steele only because the Party has been extremely partisan in the past when dealing with Republicans who are African-American. Good to see some sense returning to the Democratic Party. Maybe Condoleezza Rice and Clarence Thomas will be next.