"Had enough?" America's answer to this simple, two-word question about the consequences of continued Republican rule in Washington will determine our nation's direction for years to come.

This is what my colleague and friend, Senator Barack Obama, has concluded – and I agree.

All of the public opinion polling suggests that the American people are deeply dissatisfied with a Republican congressional majority that has "rubber stamped" George Bush's tragic war in Iraq, failed to protect our civil rights and neglected the needs of those whom they were elected to serve.

As a result, on Election Day, November 7, Democrats have a good chance of regaining control of the House of Representatives – and, perhaps, of the Senate as well.

I also agree with a second insight about this year's elections that Senator Obama and former Maryland Congressman Kweisi Mfume shared with the large, enthusiastic crowd that gathered at the University of Maryland recently to support Democratic Congressman Ben Cardin's Senate campaign.

Both here in Maryland and nationally, a large turnout by African American voters this November 7 is essential to a successful vote for change.

Consider the significance of these two political realities.

Americans of color have finally gained a measure of political control over our own destiny — if we grasp the opportunity.

This, in itself, is a democratic accomplishment of historic proportions – one that is well worth savoring.

We owe a lasting debt of gratitude to the heroes of our past who sacrificed to gain our voting rights. Now, we, too, must keep our eyes on the prize.

The electoral prize in this election year goes far beyond rejection of the President and his party. The lasting significance of any election, as the late Senator Paul Wellstone once observed, is its impact upon our daily lives.

For this year's elections to become a true mandate for change, they must produce leaders who will advance policies that better protect our health and safety, improve our schools, expand our opportunity to support our families and advance social justice in this society.

I am convinced that the Democratic candidates in Maryland's top state-wide races are committed to achieving these goals. Here are five of their most important public commitments.

Congressman Ben Cardin (Senate) and Mayor Martin O'Malley (Governor) have each pledged to increase funding for our local public schools; expand access to high quality health care; provide more support for affordable housing; dedicate more college aid and job training for those who are working to improve their lives; and provide more help to the small businesses that create most of our jobs.

On the critical national issue of George Bush's Iraq War, Ben Cardin and I were among those Members of Congress who opposed the Administration's unilateral invasion from the beginning. We agree that it is now time to change course in Iraq, redeploying our troops in ways that will help, not hinder, our struggle against terrorism.

In sharp contrast, the Republican candidate for the Senate, Lt. Governor Michael Steele, has indicated that he continues to support George Bush's Iraq policy of "staying the course."

Mr. Steele may claim that he is a not a politician. In fact, he is the former Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party and, now, a close Bush ally. His campaign has received significant financial support from George Bush & Company.

Had enough? On November 7, we have the power to vote for progressive change, both nationally and in the Maryland Governor's race.

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and Delegate Anthony Brown (his running mate for Lt. Governor) are committed to expanding access to health care in our state and fully funding the Thornton Plan to improve our schools. They will continue to fight for our seniors' well-being; and they will provide more state assistance to Baltimore's drug treatment facilities and our police.

What does Governor Ehrlich have to offer? During his last four years in office, Robert Ehrlich has done little to assist Baltimore in its fight against crime. His Administration refuses to pay millions of dollars in additional state funding that a judge has found are owed to Baltimore City's school children and their education.

Rather than advance specific proposals that would have a true impact upon our lives, what the Ehrlich campaign is doing is spending millions of dollars on television advertising that attacks Baltimore City and Martin O'Malley.

Baltimore voters might well ask: Is the Ehrlich strategy truly designed to gain votes in Baltimore – or are these negative ads no more than a cynical effort to "run against Baltimore" and convince African American voters to stay home on Election Day?

We must not allow political tricks like the Ehrlich commercials to convince us that we have no viable choices in this election. We have important decisions to make – and a message to send.

As former Congressman Kweisi Mfume has observed, "People who do not vote have no line of credit with those who are elected and, therefore, pose no threat to those who work against our interests."

After years of struggle, we finally have gained a real voice in shaping our own destiny. We have the power to vote for change on Election Day.

We should stand up and in vote in record numbers. Between now and November 7, we should be encouraging everyone we know to do the same.

Now, it is we who must keep our eyes on the prize. We have the power to shape the future – for ourselves, for our families and for the generations of Americans yet unborn.