Can Doug Duncan make a comeback?
Laura Vozzella writes in her column today about a speech former MoCo Exec and gubernatorial candidate Doug Duncan gave at Sheppard Pratt this week about his battle with depression, revealing an extensive family history with the disease that was not previously common knowledge in Maryland's political community. In fact, word that he was dropping out of the race for governor in 2006 was such a surprise that some people wondered if he was making it up as an excuse to leave of a contest he seemed unlikely to win. (The consensus eventually was, probably not; I mean, wouldn't you make up something other than that?)
Vozzella writes that Duncan wouldn't rule out running for office again and even took a couple of swipes at his one-time rival, Gov. O'Malley. Duncan's case raises an interesting question: With all we've learned over the years about depression, is it still enough to make someone unelectable? It's been a long time since Thomas Eagleton was forced to drop out as George McGovern's running mate in 1972 because of his previous hospitalizations for mental health troubles, and treatments have certainly come a long way since the electro-shock therapy he received. Duncan said he's on medication and happy about it. Would voters accept that, or would they still be reluctant to vote for him? I'm not sure.
Comments
I think a known diagnosed issue with a candidate is better than another term for someone who has a condition that has not yet been diagnosed.
Posted by: Fed Up | April 1, 2009 12:09 PM
As an Independent voter looking at Duncan's record I would vote for him over MOM in a heartbeat!
Posted by: jay | April 1, 2009 1:13 PM
Today’s voters would accept a candidate whose clinical depression is under successful treatment, but apart from his mental health, voters would likely reject Mr. Duncan because he has demonstrated poor judgment.
When Mr. Duncan accepted a vice president’s position at College Park, he failed to recognize that he ceased to be a free agent politician. As a representative of his institution, he had no business palling around the state with former Gov. Ehrlich, whose own behavior since his defeat has shattered all norms of propriety, thereby alienating not just the incumbent governor, but more importantly the wider community of elected officials and leaders from the business and institutional sectors on which the university system depends.
When appropriately admonished by a colleague who had successfully transitioned from elected official to university official, Mr. Duncan broke a golden rule by publicly discussing a private conversation. His claims about the content of that conversation stretched his credibility.
When the reality of his responsibility to the university system finally sank in, Mr. Duncan quit. Through the whole epidsode, he failed to exhibit the maturity and responsibility expected from a leader.
Most recently, his suspiciously pithy op-ed in another newspaper and other public comments reveal a strategic affinity with former Gov. Ehrlich-- both freely criticize choices made by elected officials but lack the intellect or the courage to offer specific solutions of their own.
Mr. Duncan’s willingness to publicly discuss his family history and personal experience with depression is admirable, but his post-therapy behavior makes him unelectable.
- Steve Lebowitz
Posted by: justdafacts | April 2, 2009 8:14 AM