A recent Baltimore Sun poll shows Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown has the support of 41 percent of likely Democratic voters in the gubernatorial primary. That number gives him a lead of 2 to 1 over Attorney General Doug Gansler (20 percent) and a 3 to 1 advantage over Del. Heather Mizeur (15 percent).
In his latest column in The Baltimore Sun, Political Science Professor Thomas Schaller offers an explanation for why Brown is so far ahead in the race, but also why he has yet to put a lock on the job.
“The first observation is that the key party players, including Gov. Martin O’Malley and many of the state’s key unions, consolidated very early behind Mr. Brown. A second, equally obvious observation is that Mr. Gansler’s candidacy has imploded, thanks to his mostly self-inflicted wounds in the trooper and teen drinking episodes,” Schaller writes.
He observes that criticism from Gansler against Brown over management of the failed health exchange hasn’t gained momentum but likely would have if Gansler were a Republican candidate running in a red or even purple state.
Even with a big lead in the polls, Schaller writes Brown will need to think long-term and come up with a clear vision for how he wants to govern the state should he win the nomination: “Gubernatorial candidates should clearly articulate what the state will look like under their stewardship four or even eight years hence. Perhaps Mr. Brown is saving his grander designs for the general election phase, after he secures the nomination,” he adds.
You can read the full column in The Baltimore Sun by clicking here.
Tags: CAHSS, PoliticalScience
