MD Gov 06: Duncan Tries to Raise Profile for 2006

Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan (D) has been trying to raise his state-wide profile for a 2006 Gubernatorial Run. It looks like he's found his issue in traffic problems. The question is: will it work?

Duncan has a long way to go in name recognition if he wants to compete with Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley in the 2006 Democratic Primary (that is unless O'Malley runs for U.S. Senate instead of Governor). Both O'Malley and Duncan have been working to increase their name recognition in far-flung areas of the State: O'Malley appeared at the Calvert County Democratic Party's Goldstein dinner while Duncan spoke at the St. Mary's County Democrat of the Year Banquet.

Duncan obviously feels he needs to do more than attending banquets to increase his name recognition. The traffic problems in Montgomery County has long been a keystone issue for Duncan. Naturally then, one shouldn't be surprised that the Washington Post is reporting that Duncan is going on the offensive against Ehrlich's deep cuts to the Transportation Budget. He goes so far as to call Gov. Ehrlich a disaster on traffic issues. Suprisingly, he has also written an Op-Ed in the Baltimore Sun on the traffic issue.

more...http://www.polstate.com/archives/003779.html#003779

I had my picture taken with Doug Duncan recently. I believe he is going to run for governor in 2006. To be successful, he must establish a state wide prescence. Right now, Ehrlich is better known in this state. The Intercounty Connector has been Doug's big issue; however, a lot of people, including Carlos Jiacinto, believe that there is no way that road will be built in the next four years. Maryland's Transportation Department will be a disaster as long as Flanagan is in charge. Flanagan did a terrible job with the public transportation in Balto. city during the July 4th weekend. He also said MTA bus fares would increase from $1.35 each way to $1.50 each way. They actually increased to $1.60 each way. Flanagan is either a liar or he doesn't know what he is talking about. neither trait is very good.
Mayor O'Malley is more popular than Doug Duncan. I think that O'Malley could beat Ehrlich. Remember, O'Malley just has to convince 40,000 Democrats who voted for Ehrlich to switch their vote to O'Malley. Many people feel he could do that just in Balto. county alone. I doubt he would lose the rest of the state to Ehrlich as badly as KKT did.
My take is similar to yours. Doug Duncan knows he has to start working early if he is to have a chance. I think this is a good thing because Doug's campaigning will continually remind voters who are paying attention of Ehrlich's deficiencies as a governor and as a person.

I think O'Malley, because of where he is from, is a better candidate. I just hope that there isn't a bloody primary.