O'Malley 0 for 2 w/ former Baltimore Mayors.

[nickshepDEM]

Today Former Mayor Kurt Schmoke endorsed Doug Duncan for Governor. That makes O'Malley 0 for 2 w/ former Baltimore City Mayors. State Comptroller and former Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer has already announced he is backing Duncan.

[DaveinMD]

1. Schaefer backing Duncan

is a good reason to vote for O'Malley. Why should we care what Republicans think?

[nickshepDEM]

2. The problem still remains. O'Malley is failing to receive key endorsement

Schafer is still very popular among Maryland Democrats, Indy's, and even some Republicans.

There is also the underlying problem of black community leaders lining up behind Duncan.

[DaveinMD]

3. O'Malley

has lots of endorsements among key political leaders in all important communities. Duncan is announcing his now because he has to because he's so far behind. They are both good candidates, but there are certain dynamics at work here.

Schaefer isn't popular with too many Democrats any more.

[Debbi801]

7. I thought Schmoke made it pretty clear that this wasn't an endorsement...

Against MO'M but that he and Duncan had been friends for ages and that is why he endorsed him.

[aintitfunny]

4. Everyone knew that Schaefer was going

to not support O'Malley, he has a grudge. He is a traitor to the party and his antics and his cozy relationship with Erlich is not viewed favorably by many, many democrats. I think there are a lot of elder Republicans who do like him, including some of the right wingers on Baltimore radio stations. I expect Schaefer to support Erlich in the General, and if O'Malley is the candidate that will be a good excuse for him to do so. He is probably hedging his bet with Duncan since Duncan is the long shot, and besides he will do anything to hurt O'Malley.

[nickshepDEM]

5. I really dont understand his grudge with O'Malley?

I agree that O'Malley has a ton of work left to do in the city. However, Schafer wasnt exactly the best Mayor Baltimore ever had. I heard he was pretty awful.

[aintitfunny]

6. From what I understand - Schaefer was a good mayor

I was not here at the time and cannot speak to that. O'Malley does not have a ton of work left to do in the city. That sounds like Duncan's blathering BS because he only has the low road to take to try to win the primary. His negativity is going to backfire.

It is easy to point to Baltimore and lay the blame at the Mayor's doorstep rather than where it belongs - with the planned destruction of the inner cities by Reagan, Bush 1 and Now the Shrub.

I would also point out that it is much easier managing Montgomery County because it is one of the wealthiest counties in the nation. Median income is over 70K compared to 30K for Baltimore. Per capital income in Baltimore is a whopping 17K versus 35K in Montgomery County. Only 3.7% of families in MOCO are below the poverty line compared with 19% in Baltimore.

Considering these statistics O'Malley has done a remarkable job, it is not necessary for him to achieve nirvana before seeking higher office.

Perhaps Duncan must go negative and harm the Democratic Party's chances next November because, considering what he has to work with, he has not much to show for it.