Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, appeared twice in this weekend’s Baltimore Sun, quoted on the Baltimore Grand Prix’s potential to impact Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s political career and on expectations for Governor O’Malley’s upcoming speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Norris told the Sun that he does not expect the the Grand Prix, as a success or failure, to have a lasting effect on the mayor’s career. “Mayors are not made or unmade based upon sporting events,” he said. “If it’s a success, she claims the success and it’s a good thing. If it’s a failure, she can blame someone else.”
He was also optimistic about O’Malley’s DNC speech, which the Sun called “the most important speech of his political career.” Norris remarked, “This is a huge opportunity for O’Malley, and clearly it has come in recognition of his rising star within the party.”
