MoCo – PG Shenanigans

I received the following telegram from a “Ma Kish” in Maple Lawn: “I see all of this automobile traffic on U.S. 29. So what is happening south of Exit 13?”

Excellent question Ms. Kish. 

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker endorsed Congressman Chris Van Hollen for the U.S. Senate today. 

The Official Wisdom is that this is a “bad day for Donna Edwards.”  In terms of expectations, I am not particularly surprised by the endorsement.  Moreover, I don’t know if Mr. Baker’s backing carries with it that many votes.   Favorability transfer is a tricky thing to operationalize.  Moreover, Baker’s support for a 15% property tax hike is tapping into his reservoir of goodwill.

Beyond that, Heather Mizeur announced this afternoon that she would take a pass on the Senate race.  This opens up some space on the non-establishment left, which should be good news for Congresswoman Edwards. 

Beyond beyond that, this field remains – and feels – unsettled.  I am re-reading Peter Goodman and Tony Fuller’s “The Quest for the Presidency 1984” and I am concerned that Team Van Hollen is running a latter-day version of the Mondale campaign:  putting organization and D.C. experience at the heart of the campaign’s raison d’etre rather than articulating a broader vision for America in general and Maryland specifically.  

Stay tuned, as more will follow.

Senate & House (Buddy Cop Show?)

Back from strolling around New York City on what appears to be a wintry December afternoon.  Yet the calendar reveals that it is March…it is hard to believe that Lá Fhéile Pádraig is a mere 12 days away.

In light of the fast moving political developments back home, I thought I would check out the must-read blogs, which of course includes The 53. 

Whilst reading The Cummings Path (note: Ludlum title alert), I noticed a reference to one of my latest posts, “Sparty sez that there should be a Howard County connection to our next US Senator.” 

I would say that “could be” is more in line with my current thinking.  The fields are evolving.  Many players are in deep deliberation mode. I don’t have favorites. Not yet. Not for the U.S. Senate seat, not for the 8^th Congressional District, not for any other open seat – at whatever level – that might arise as a result of Senator Mikulski’s decision to not seek re-election.

As a general preference, I would like to see a candidate with a Howard County connection in the U.S. Senate field, which could include one (or more) of the five that I singled out, and/or one (or more) of the three U.S. Representatives with HoCo constituents.   Bear in mind that I enjoy multi-candidate primaries that feature several serious contenders.

I would imagine there are a fair number of progressives who would like to have an open and candid discussion regarding the Democratic Party’s vision and values.  Who knows, this might not occur in the presidential primary this cycle. I hope it does, but that remains to be seen.  So I would definitely favor a U.S. Senate primary in Maryland that allows for such a conversation.

If the Seventh Congressional District were to be an open seat in the 2016 cycle, well, that could be a fascinating opportunity for some local politicos.  We can talk about such a campaign at the appropriate time.

In the meantime, I look forward to the announcements that are certain to be made in the days and weeks ahead.  

Cassie Senate and Rebecca House.  Set in ‘70s Cleveland.  Might be time to work up a spec script.

Stay tuned, as more will follow.

A Senator from Howard County?

I had planned on writing an article entitled “Lurching Towards Decrepitude” but it was about my 2001 Honda. 

Senator Barbara Mikulski is undeniably made of far sterner stuff.

Mikulski has been raising principled heck for decades.  She has entered the pantheon of Maryland institutions.  Elected and returned to the U.S. Senate five times by the voters, she has served the nation and state honorably.  While her vim clearly remains of the high-octane variety, she knew when it was time to begin the denouement.  Nicely done, Senator.

Over the coming days and weeks, there will be numerous pieces that extol – in detail – her considerable legislative accomplishments, trailblazing career, impact on American politics, etc…

There will also be many articles evaluating potential successors, both Democrats and Republicans, with the latter considering the opportunities for an upset of even greater proportions than the Hogan 2014 victory.  There will be plenty of occasions to read and ponder wisdom – conventional and otherwise.

I will turn my attention, today, to Howard County.  I believe our talent-rich corner of Maryland has, within its borders, multiple potential 2016 U.S. Senate candidates.  And no, I am not referring to the obvious possible contenders who represent parts of our County in the United States Congress…Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Elijah Cummings.   The five I have in mind all reside in HoCo and include three Democrats and two Republicans. 

In no particular order, they are:

Former County Executive Ken Ulman.  A CE whose term of office was so productive that both of the candidates who ran to succeed him pledged to “continue the progress” made in Howard County over the past several years.  That is quite the testament to his record.  And while he is not universally loved throughout the land, he is widely respected.  He was a solid LG candidate in a tough election cycle and would be formidable as a statewide candidate at the helm of his own campaign. 

State Senator Guy Guzzone.  A thoughtful policy wonk, he has made his mark in local and state government.  While Ulman has more of a hard-charging approach, Guzzone’s more affable style could be an even greater plus with voters across the whole of Maryland.   Given that he has just been elected to the State Senate, the question remains if he, at this juncture, would want to shift from Annapolis to Washington D.C.

Former County Councilmember Courtney Watson.  A dedicated public servant with a solid resume for higher office, she encountered decidedly unfavorable political winds in 2014.   That said, Watson demonstrated an admirable tenacity and, importantly, impressive fundraising abilities. Like Guzzone, she would have to be considered a relative long-shot for the nomination, but she has the skills to be a fine U.S. Senator.

County Executive Allan Kittleman.  In all likelihood, he would be the Maryland Republican with the best profile for a statewide effort in ‘16.  One would have to assume Kittleman will be focused on his current job, with an eye on a re-election bid in 2018, but the National Republican Senatorial Committee and other heavy-hitting GOPers might push for him to consider the open seat…if they truly believe that Maryland could be competitive in a presidential election year (an unlikely proposition). 

Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford.  Why not?  He was a decent LG candidate with non-shabby credentials in the public and private sectors.   The Republicans could certainly field far worse candidates than Rutherford. Put that on a bumper sticker.

Am I omitting the names of a couple of accomplished Howard County individuals who could run a credible campaign for the United States Senate?  Sure.  Why? Because some are wrapping up their careers in public service while others appear to be quite focused on other offices, challenges and/or pursuits.  

Stay tuned, as more will follow.