Jack Johnson for guv?
The Gazette had an interesting tidbit last week from an editorial board meeting with Prince George's exec Jack Johnson: He's seriously condering a run for state office when his term ends and isn't ruling out a primary challenge to Gov. Martin O'Malley. He's the first serious Democrat I've heard of who's even close to considering doing such a thing; even Comptroller Peter Franchot is steering way clear of saying anything like that in public.
The Gazette suggests this is odd timing, given that Johnson has inflamed the populace in PG by asking county legislators to raise the property tax cap for the next two years in an effort to close a projected $132 million deficit. He's since said he could back away from that, depending on what happens with federal stimulus money.
Kenny Burns at Maryland Politics Today (a blog that keeps a particular eye on Prince George's politics) is much harsher. He ticks off a laundry list of reasons why Johnson may not be ready for prime time, such as his reaction to the Cheye Calvo incident (you remember, the mayor whose dogs were shot during a botched police raid?), the lack of any resolution to the death of Ronnie White (an inmate who was killed in the county jail), Johnson's pricey trip to Africa at taxpayer expense, the fact that he didn't exactly light the world on fire in his re-election bid, etc. etc.
Let me add this: Last time I saw Johnson, he was rolling around in a taxpayer-funded Cadillac Escallade with chrome wheels and tinted windows. That's not going to fly in Towson.
At the end of the day, I'd be extremely surprised if Johnson -- or anybody else -- mounts a serious challenge to O'Malley in the 2010 primary. Franchot would seem the most likely, but I expect he'll have his hands full fending off a challenge from Jim Smith (or someone else) in the primary for comptroller. Doug Gansler looks like he'd like to be governor someday, but he's more of a wait-your-turn kind of guy. Ken Ulman, likewise, has plenty of time before trying for statewide office, and most of the other ambitious folk in the state party seem more interested in Barbara Mikulski's office than O'Malley's.
Say what you will about O'Malley, but he hasn't done much to tick off his liberal base, and that's what counts in the primary.
Comments
Why not just appoint Raul Castro for guv. Not much worse than the boy we have now or this new boy.
Posted by: AnotherWatcher | February 23, 2009 12:24 PM
Maybe John Mayer will run... Or David Matthews or Michael Jagger. And then Mikie Moore can blog about it...
Posted by: Mather | February 23, 2009 12:37 PM
Add to his list of liabilities the proposed pro soccer stadium in PG. When the $$$ fail to appear the State would be on the hook for 150 mill (or more). Mr. Johnson, at this point, brings nothing to the table for any statewide office.
Posted by: Kevin | February 23, 2009 12:51 PM
"Let me add this: Last time I saw Johnson, he was rolling around in a taxpayer-funded Cadillac Escallade with chrome wheels and tinted windows. That's not going to fly in Towson."
Isn't this a little over the top for an "unbiased objective" reporter? Sounds to me as if your are trying to sway public opinion toward O'Malley.
Isn't reporting like this the reason why the Sun has lost it's Blue Dog subscriber base in and around Baltimore city/county?
Posted by: Waiting for the Sun to Set | February 23, 2009 12:53 PM
What, you think the blue-dog Democrat base in Baltimore City/County would dig Jack's style?
Posted by: Andy Green | February 23, 2009 12:58 PM
I don't know if they would or would not dig his style but that is not point of my question.
My questions were and still are isn't your characterization over the top and isn't a reporter's job to report? Has this type of editorializing masquerading has reporting lead to decline of the Sun's paying subscribers amongst Blue Dog Dem in Balt City and Balt County.
Posted by: Waiting for the Sun to Set? | February 23, 2009 4:52 PM
@Waiting: "Maryland Politics: Your Source of News and Gossip from the Mason-Dixon Line to the Potomac" (emphasis in the original)
I think we can consider the stated mission fulfilled, n'est pas?
Posted by: The Friar | February 25, 2009 10:41 AM
Jack Johnson sees an opening: O'Malley's highest popularity is in the African-American community. If a strong African-American leader challenges him from the left then he is forced to defend himself.
Everyone, including the Sun, seems to write off Johnson and any splitting of votes (I'm going to assume someone else runs too). Sort of like the Sun once wrote off Councilman O'Malley when he managed to walk into the mayorialship much the same way Franchot walked into the Comptroller's seat-- by taking two people that would have beaten him and having them duke it out to give him the remaining share.
O'Malley's people laugh and think they're invinceable...they have forgotten where they have come from and attribute it all to O'Malley's amazing star power. Seriously, they do. They don't realize politics has a lot to do with timing and a little bit of luck too.
Contenders: O'Malley (odds on favorite), Franchot (seems doubtful he'll run, especially since he reached a truce with O'Malley), Johnson (he's term-limited and his choices are AG except Gansler has 1.4 mil in bank, Comptroller-except Franchot splits the DC area vote with him, or Governor and guess where the biggest opportunity is), Duncan (he's put his name back out there, but it seems doubtful he is done. Duncan is a straight shooter and he got a bunch of unfair mud thrown onto him by O'Malley...ironic since O'Malley cried on tv about rumors that his own folks started), Uhlman (nah, he is an O'Malley cohort...his only worry is whether Jim Smith is around to duke it out with him in 2014), Smith (also an O'Malley cohort), and Brown (he won't do it, but remember he almost fled the ticket in the summer of 2006 after manhandling by O'Malley's folks).
Plus O'Malley is too busy trying to pad his federal resume. Testifying in front of 5 people and then running to MD media sources like the Sun to write about it. He thinks (or maybe those around him) that he is destined for more greatness. And this is from the guy who still thinks Gary Hart was the best thing since sliced bread. Blagojevich stands more of a chance that O'Taxey.
Posted by: Andre | February 25, 2009 11:12 AM
he hasn't done much to tick off his liberal base
You don't get out of Baltimore and down to Montgomery County much, do you?
Posted by: lefty | February 26, 2009 2:18 PM
I trying to get a way from Jack Johnson's corrupt ass now by moving. If he became Governor I might have to move out of the state
Posted by: PG RESIDENT | April 27, 2009 12:49 AM