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MD2010: The Changing of the Guard?
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Governor Martin O'Malley
O’Malley camp shakes things up amidst budgetary concerns and election preparations.
As the first day of budget related furloughs comes and goes for State workers’, political insiders are abuzz with the news that the top heavy enriched staff of Governor Martin O’Malley, seem to be taking shape amidst next years upcoming election.
After recently retaining the services of well known and respected elections manager, Thomas Russell, Governor O’Malley seems to be setting the groundwork for a trusted and efficient set of advisers for next years election campaign, with the elevation of Michael Enright as his Senior Adviser.
Enright, long-time friend, associate and former first deputy mayor, has been reported to be stepping aside as the Governor’s chief of staff, to focus more on tracking stimulus funding and energy concerns. However most see it as a brilliant political move, suring up more time for the Gonzaga high school pal of the governor’s, to assist in tracking more than just federal dollars, possibly that of campaign donations as well.
Having already sent letters and e-mails to supporters last month seeking financial donations for, as in the governor’s words, “will surely not be an easy election”, one can only imagine as to how tough this upcoming gubernatorial election will actually be for the incumbent Governor and two-term Mayor of Baltimore.
While 325 of the State’s most prominent democratically elected officials have signed onto the O’Malley re-election efforts, with several Prince George’s county officials still holding out, one must first ask the question as to who is prominent enough to take on this political giant, in a sure to be contentious election year.
Robert Ehrlich, the only name most Republicans could imagine having a chance has yet to emerge as a contender. Delegate Pat McDonough, a Baltimore County native and Fox45 political analyst, seems to be an almost non-starter based more off the fact that most either do not know him or do not see his campaign as a serious alternative to the tax and spend Democrat.
However even with no serious contender, as of yet, the governor seems to be gearing up for an anticipated gun-slinging battle for 2010. Yet as State workers see more days of furloughs extending into the New Year, along with those being laid off and others just seeing tightening living conditions and a failed state economy, one must wonder if a serious fiscally conservative political neophyte could possibly come out of the woodworks and beat the sitting Governor?
As a serious primary election challenger seems unlikely, with O’Malley quieting detractors such as Comptroller Peter Franchot and others, just how much money will an opposing candidate have to raise, just to be competitive with the Irish imperialist?
These questions and more remain as we begin to see a statewide election taking form in the remaining days of 2009. However, despite what challenge may come from the right or the left, we must focus on more than just the top of the ticket, as 188 seats are all up for grabs in the Maryland General Assembly.
So like Marvin Gaye once sang…’Let’s get it on!’
Mr.Giordano is a political and media consultant for GCOMM Media Co., with years of Md. State elections experience. He is also the Host of the Maryland political television show the Reporters' Roundtable and the Host of his own WOLB1010AM radio program, 'Speaking Right to the Issues'!
For more info: On this and more you may email me at brothahassan@yahoo.com, visit the Reporters' Roundtable, follow me on Twitter or find me on Facebook.
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