Maryland Politics

Martin O'Malley Picks Glen Ivey

2005-07-21T23:27:00.000-04:00

Ivey Watch: "Martin O'Malley Picks Glen Ivey:

My best wishes go out to Glenn Ivey as rumors swirl around that he will run as Martin O'Malley's pick for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. I have known Glenn for over 5 years. We met when I got a phone call from Glenn Ivey inviting my two boys (now the older two) to come down to play with Glenn's children. I knew him first as a neighborhood father and only later as a man in politics. He is a good and decent man. I notice that even with 5 young sons Glenn and Jolene Ivey get their children to Church. I notice that a baseball and soccer games I can expect to see one or both rooting their sons on. To do that with 5 children is something not to mention with the pressure that Glenn is under fighting crime in a county with too many murders and too few cops. I also notice that Glenn drives himself even though his predecessor had a full time police chauffeur. Glenn is about as straight and honest as they come. I am proud to have Glenn as a friend.
Barry O'Connell"

Governor Ehrlich Fails to Serve the People of Maryland

2005-05-21T14:42:00.000-04:00

Statement by
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan

Regarding Governor’s Vetoes
Friday, May 20, 2005

I am extremely disappointed in Governor Ehrlich’s decision to veto three important pieces of legislation – measures that would have made our roads safer, lifted working families up and given unmarried couples the right to make medical decisions for their loved ones.

Once again the Governor has shown a fundamental disregard for people who are working hard, playing by the rules and trying to raise their children in safe communities. After opposing legislation to pay workers a living wage, the Governor now says they shouldn’t be paid more than the minimum wage.

Even the most hard-right Republican would have to agree that denying unmarried couples the right to care for each other during medical emergencies is cold-hearted. Yet, by vetoing the Medical Decision Making Act of 2005 that is exactly what Governor Ehrlich is doing – denying unmarried couples the right to make medical decisions for their loved ones.

Perhaps the Governor thinks that our roads are safe and that speeding is not a public safety threat, but the law enforcement professionals in my community don’t believe that – and neither do I. Far too many people are killed or injured each year in Maryland in accidents that involve speeding motorists. The speed camera bill the Governor vetoed today – which applied only in Montgomery County – would have given our police an additional tool in the fight against law breakers. The Governor said no to these cops and no to family members who have lost loved ones in speeding related accidents

# # #
Friends of Doug Duncan P.O. Box 1655 Silver Spring, MD 20915

ABC 7 News - Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up (Jack Johnson is dirty)

2005-05-21T14:20:00.000-04:00

ABC 7 News - Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up: "If you investigate Jack Johnson you are taking your life in your hands. It is bad enough that Jack Johnson uses Prince George's County Police as Servants but he allows his staff to use them as servants as well. Jack Johnson is dirty and he can get away with it because he can use the police like he uses Toilet Paper and no one does anything about it.

When crime victims in Apartment Complexes complain about no police Jack Johnson tries to close the apartments. If Jack Johnson would quit playing the Massah and stop using the police as his slaves on the PG Plantation they could answer the police calls. Jack Johnson says crime is localized to a small area. This is because Jack Johnson is not willing to give poor and working families the same protection he gives his Mitchelville and FT. Washington friends. The police are sent to neighborhoods where Jack Johnson raises his campaign money!
Tyrell_LaFred
IP: Logged
Posted: 05/21 11:52a"

ABC 7 News - I-Team Reporter Injured In Jack Johnson Corruption Investigation

2005-05-21T11:30:00.000-04:00

ABC 7 News - Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up:

"Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up
Friday May 13, 2005 5:40pm

eVideo: Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up

-WJLA Script-

Anchor:
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HAS NOW LAUNCHED A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE POLICE ACTIVITY THAT RESULTED IN INJURY TO ABC7 I-TEAM REPORTER ANDREA MCCARREN.

ABC7'S GORDON PETERSON JOINS US NOW WITH THE LATEST. GORDON??

Gordon Peterson on set:
TONIGHT, KATHLEEN, WE MAY BE WELL ON OUR WAY TO GETTING SOME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WE RAISED LAST NIGHT ON THIS BROADCAST.

DID PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS ACT APPROPRIATELY?

AND WILL PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY RELEASE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT.

Story:
OUR I-TEAM REPORTER ANDREA MCCARREN WAS WORKING ON A STORY ABOUT A POLICE OFFICER APPARENTLY ASSIGNED TO A COUNTY EMPLOYEE AS A FULL-TIME DRIVER.

SHE FOLLOWED THE OFFICER AS HE PICKED UP THE OCUNTY OFFICIAL TO TAKE HER TO WORK.

WHEN THE OFFICER NOTICED HE WAS BEING PHOTOGRAPHED, HE CALELD FOR BACKUP.

MCCARREN AND HER CREW WERE SURROUNDED BY NINE POLICE CARS...AND UP TO A DOZEN OFFICERS WITH GUNS DRAWN.

MCCARREN'S SHOULDER WAS INJURED WHEN AN OFFICER PULLED HER ARMS BEHIND HER BACK.

NOW, COUNTY EXECUTIVE JACK JOHNSON SAYS HE WILL INVESTIGATE THE MATTER.

HE SAYS THE OFFICER WAS AFRAID.

Jack Johnson: "It's just a part of the life and times we live in."
Question: "Did the officers act appropriately given those circumstances?
Jack Johnson: "that's being investigated."

FOLLOWING YEARS OF EXCESSIVE FORCE COMPAINTS, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY TO OPERATE VIDEO CAMERAS IN ITS POLICE CARS.

BUT A COUNTY SPOKESMA SAYS THE CAMERAS WERE NOT WORKING IN ANY OF THE NINE POLICE CARS INVOLVED IN PULLING OVER THE ABC7 I-TEAM.

Question: Does it disturb you that the cameras weren't rolling given what you campaigned on and given the history of this county?

Jack Johnson: "well, you know, we're looking to find out why the cameras weren't rolling and we'll get to the bottom of that."

ABC7 HAS FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE COUNTY AND IS ASKING THE COUNTY TO RELEASE ANY VIDEOTAPES AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THIS CASE.

Gordon Peterson on set:
TODAY THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB, OF WHICH ANDREA MCCARREN IS A MEMBER, CALLED ON THE PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO IMMEDIATELY RELEASE CRUISER VIDEO, 911 TAPES, INCIDENT REPORTS AND E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS REQUESTED BY WJLA-TV.

IN ADDITION THE PRESS CLUB IS ASKING THE DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN WHAT LAWS MCCARREN AND HER PHOTOGRAPHER MAY HAVE BROKEN THAT WOULD HAVE PROMPTED WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN EXTREME SHOW OF FORCE ON THE PART OF COUNTY POLICE. "

Rape is the Woman's Fault - Just ask Jack Johnson.

2005-05-20T17:13:00.000-04:00

Rape is the Woman's Fault - Just ask Jack Johnson.

Jack Johnson says Rape is a relationship issue. Of all people Johnsom should know, Jack Johnson has been raping PG County for years!

This is typical for Jack Johnson his first reaction is to BLAME THE VICTIMS! JBOC

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2005
Contact Sam Epps, 240-603-3029

Baker: Johnson Rape Comment "irresponsible, insensitive and crude"

"Jack Johnson's comment is deeply irresponsible, insensitive and crude. He has a lot of nerve dismissing women getting raped as 'all relationship issues,' said Rushern Baker today.

Baker's criticism responds to Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson's comment on WTOP radio Thursday, May 20, to the 25% increase in rape in the county. Johnson said: "These are all relationship issues, where whatever breakdown occurs and people accusing each other of rape."
The interview is available online:
http://audio.wtopnews.com/ask_the/0518_johnson.ram.

The comment triggered harsh responses from the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

In response to questions about increasing crime in the county, Johnson said "we can't panic. We can't change strategy." Baker responded "It is easy for Johnson not to panic when he and members of his staff have their own security detail."

Johnson also dismissed the crime problem as an "aberration" and shifted the blame again, saying, "This is a societal problem, not a Jack Johnson problem."

Baker shot back: "A two-and-a half year increase is no aberration. This is clearly a Jack Johnson problem. Under Johnson, our county now leads the state in rape, robbery, larceny theft, arson, carjacking and car theft," said Baker. "Johnson is out of touch and his leadership is weak. In the face of his crime crisis he is shifty, and blames the nearest target, whoever it may be."

The pattern Baker referred to is also illustrated in March when Johnson, citing calls for police service from apartment residents, called apartment communities "breeding grounds for criminal activity" and threatened: "we will close you down." He offered no plan for housing apartment resident who would be displaced. The plan resulted in protests from residents and Johnson backed down.

To stem the crime crisis, Baker has called for immediate measures to put more police on the streets and for the resignation of Police Chief Melvin High.

Rushern Baker is a former Delegate and Chairman of the Prince George's County House Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly.

Friends of Rushern Baker, 802 Palatine Place, Bowie 20716
www.rushernbaker.com.
By authority of Brad Seamon, Treasurer

Children Are Dying -- We Must Listen To Glenn Ivey

2005-05-19T22:40:00.000-04:00

Ivey Watch: Children Are Dying -- We Must Listen To Glenn Ivey: "We also should listen to Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey ['How to Take Back Our Streets,' op-ed, April 8]. Because the violence is disproportionately affecting African Americans, Mr. Ivey has called upon his fellow black public officials, black churches and other segments of the African American community to bring greater resources and coordination to bear upon this issue. He also is encouraging people to become mentors and to offer educational and economic opportunities."

Jack Johnson Leads The State in "category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks"

2005-05-19T22:38:00.000-04:00

Rushern Baker Watch: Jack Johnson Leads The State in "category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks": "Jack Johnson Leads The State in "category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks"
Smoke and Mirrors: “New” Crime Plan Exactly Same as Old
10 Crime “Talk Forces” in 12 Months

“They accomplish so little, they should be renamed ‘talk forces,’” charged Rushern Baker in response to Chief Melvin High’s Wednesday announcement creating a new task force to address the murder crisis. The county currently has 65 murders this year, a 50% increase from last year and more than the District of Columbia.

Though he was spare on details, High told the Washington Post it would involve interdepartmental collaboration during the summer months.

“They can’t handle the murder crisis so they present this sham plan. It is the same exact ‘Task Force’ Jack Johnson and Chief High introduced a year ago,” explained Baker. (See June 14, 2004 Press Release from the County Police: “Operation Safe Corridors…a cooperative partnership between all law enforcement agencies in the County…. designed to reduce crime during the summer…. Chief High will also announce other initiatives designed to continue the overall downward trend of crime in the County.”)

Baker is critical of the large number of “task forces” and “initiatives” that have been “unveiled” by the county (see summary below). Ten have been created in the last twelve months. “Many of them, if they exist at all, duplicate other efforts” he explained. In addition to this new murder task force, there is a Violent Crimes Task Force, the police’s regular Homicide Unit and at least three other closely related efforts.

“Under Jack Johnson and Chief High, Prince George’s County now leads the state in rape, robbery, arson, larceny theft, carjacking and car theft. If that weren’t enough, we now lead in the category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks” said Baker.

Baker’s harshest criticism was in response to Chief High’s comments Wednesday justifying his crime-fighting plan to date, saying “I’m comfortable with it. I think it is effective. We’re in a deep hole, but we have to keep working at it. I think we’re on the right track.” Baker slammed this comment as “ridiculous and shows that this man is completely out of touch. This is clear evidence that Chief High should resign immediately.”

“We deserve better than smoke and mirrors. We need less gimmicks and more police on our streets,” said Baker, sounding a familiar refrain for more manpower for the woefully understaffed police department."

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

2005-05-19T22:35:00.001-04:00

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred: "Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred
May 19, 2005

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor
State of Maryland
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Ehrlich:
I am writing to urge that you take immediate action to remove William G. Duvall, Jr., as chairman of the 13-member panel that nominates trial judges in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Your appointee displayed an inexcusable lapse in sensitivity when he used a racial slur directed at our Hispanic population on his Web blog.

I am extremely concerned � as all of our residents should be � that there appears to be a pattern of hostility and insensitivity on the part of your administration toward ethnic minorities. The degrading term used by Mr. Duvall comes on the heels of remarks made by you during a radio interview last year when you referred to multiculturalism as nothing more than �crap� or �bunk.�

Montgomery County is home to nearly half of all the foreign-born residents of the State of Maryland. We embrace and celebrate this diversity. It is our multiculturalism that makes us a stronger, more vibrant community. People from different backgrounds, different religions, and different parts of the world in pursuit of the American Dream are what make our State strong. That�s why it is especially troubling to hear anyone degrade our diversity and multiculturalism.

Again, I urge you to remove Mr. Duvall from his appointed position. Not to do so sends a clear message that your administration condones and tolerates his comments.

Sincerely,

Douglas M. Duncan
County Executive"

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

2005-05-19T22:35:00.000-04:00

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

2005-05-19T22:34:00.001-04:00

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

2005-05-19T22:34:00.000-04:00

Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

2005-05-19T22:33:00.000-04:00

May 19, 2005

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor
State of Maryland
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Ehrlich:
I am writing to urge that you take immediate action to remove William G. Duvall, Jr., as chairman of the 13-member panel that nominates trial judges in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Your appointee displayed an inexcusable lapse in sensitivity when he used a racial slur directed at our Hispanic population on his Web blog.

I am extremely concerned – as all of our residents should be – that there appears to be a pattern of hostility and insensitivity on the part of your administration toward ethnic minorities. The degrading term used by Mr. Duvall comes on the heels of remarks made by you during a radio interview last year when you referred to multiculturalism as nothing more than “crap” or “bunk.”

Montgomery County is home to nearly half of all the foreign-born residents of the State of Maryland. We embrace and celebrate this diversity. It is our multiculturalism that makes us a stronger, more vibrant community. People from different backgrounds, different religions, and different parts of the world in pursuit of the American Dream are what make our State strong. That’s why it is especially troubling to hear anyone degrade our diversity and multiculturalism.

Again, I urge you to remove Mr. Duvall from his appointed position. Not to do so sends a clear message that your administration condones and tolerates his comments.

Sincerely,

Douglas M. Duncan
County Executive

Governor Ehrlich mired in his do-nothing approach on Health Care

2005-05-18T23:06:00.000-04:00

Statement of County Executive Douglas M. Duncan

Concerning the Veto of the Fair Share Health Care Bill

May 18, 2005

By vetoing the Fair Share Health Care Bill, Governor Ehrlich will once again turn his back on the health care needs of the people of Maryland.

The Fair Share Health Care bill is an important step in reforming the health care situation in Maryland. No one in Maryland should be without high quality health care for themselves or their children - particularly those who work - because they can't afford to pay for it. When large corporations fail to pay their fair share, we all end up making up the difference in higher health care costs.

The Fair Share Health Care bill is a trailblazing piece of legislation that is now being taken up by other states. Our General Assembly should be applauded for being at the forefront of health care reform. Yet Governor Ehrlich continues to be mired in his do-nothing approach. First he claims this bill would cost Maryland jobs, now his administration admits that isn't the case.

So on the critical issue of healthcare, this Governor has once again failed to move Maryland forward.

I urge the General Assembly to override this veto next January and will work side by side with all who care about genuine health care reform to make sure the Fair Share Health Care Bill becomes law.

New Black Political Group in PG County

2005-05-12T20:57:00.000-04:00

Ivey's Political Plans? Stay Tuned: "New Black Political Group

The ballroom at the Colony South in Clinton was filled with supporters of a new group designed to increase participation, particularly of African Americans, in the political process.
Adrion Howell , one of the organizers, said the formation of the African American Democratic Club was long overdue.

Howell said there are issues specific to African Americans that need to be addressed.

So does that mean neither political party is addressing them?

"To say that they try to address it does not mean they are adequately addressing" issues such as education, Howell said. "We're not satisfied with the current structure and current mechanisms in place. That's the need for such an organization."

Many members of the crowd were employees of the Johnson administration, including Chris Osuji and Iris B. Boswell , which raised questions about whether Johnson was behind the group.

"We're aligned with no one but the community," Howell said.

One of the group's plans is to provide resources to candidates seeking elected positions.

Several founding members of the group will likely find that useful.

Howell, who lost a bid against council member Marilynn Bland (D-Clinton), is considering challenging Bland in 2006. Mark K. Spencer , a former deputy state's attorney who was beaten by Ivey in 2002, is also considering another run.

The highlight of the evening came when Mfume, scheduled to give the keynote address, entered the room. His appearance came the same day that The Washington Post reported accusations of favoritism and sexual harassment against the former head of the NAACP. Many were waiting to hear him respond to the charges.

"How does one defend against a rumor, a whisper or innuendo?" he said, to thundering applause. "You do that by standing up, standing tall, standing for what you believe in and, most of all, not quitting." Donna Edwards , a community activist from Fort Washington, said she was proud that Mfume "took it head on and held his head high and said, 'I'm staying in this race.'

"I think that speaks of his character," Edward said.

Edwards later made her way across the ballroom to greet Mfume, shaking his hand and letting him know that she was ready to help get him elected to the U.S. Senate."

Homeland Security's Keith Washington was Jack Johnson's Servent

2005-05-12T13:44:00.000-04:00

Are Bland, Johnson getting closer, politically?: "County Councilwoman Marilynn M. Bland (D-Dist. 9) of Clinton is staying especially close to County Executive Jack B. Johnson these days, showing support at his side for events in her district and some that are not. Among them were Johnson's April 21 news conference and tour of a Forestville building for his apartment cleanup initiative, and the kick-off celebration for the African-American Democratic Club a week later in Clinton.

"Bland is kissing up to Johnson because he was going to run Keith Washington against her," said one political insider, referring to the next election for the District 9 seat.

Supporting Washington, the source said, would be payback for Bland voting against some of Johnson's initiatives.

"Councilwoman Bland and the county executive have worked together on several projects," said James Keary, a spokesman for the county executive. "She's been supportive of Jack B. Johnson for a long time and I have not seen any difference."

He added that he has not heard about Washington running.

Washington, a police detective who supported Johnson in the last election, is the deputy director of homeland security for the county and a former driver for Johnson."

Gov and Mrs Ehrlich Want To Punish The Balt Sun and The Wash Post

2005-05-01T20:39:00.000-04:00

Gov and Mrs Ehrlich Want To Punish The Balt Sun and The Wash Post "That story was preceded by a speech last weekend by Kendel S. Ehrlich in Ocean City in which she demonstrated a shared contempt for the larger newspapers that cover her husband.

"They lie," she said, according to news accounts of a stump-style speech to the Republican central committees of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. "I would punish my son if I caught him in a lie, and they need to be punished."

The governor clarified later in the week that his wife was referring to the Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post. There was no word on the appropriate punishment.

He has had a long-running feud with the Sun that resulted in a ban on two of the paper's journalists last year. The Sun responded with an unsuccessful lawsuit, which is on appeal.

"We refer to them as 'the plaintiff,' " Ehrlich said in his remarks Thursday to the business group.

The governor's disdain for The Post has been more selective, but it intensified after the newspaper reported that a longtime Ehrlich aide, Joseph Steffen , acknowledged spreading rumors about the personal life of Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D)."

Baltimore Sun Soft Soaps Kweisi's Sex Scandal and Faltering Campaign - Even Eric Lee Bryant Denies Working for the Campaign

2005-04-30T18:39:00.000-04:00

baltimoresun.com - Mfume draws on past to face latest challenge: "Mfume draws on past to face latest challenge
Senate: Though his campaign is off to a slow start, the candidate views recent allegations as just 'another hurdle.'
By David Nitkin
Sun Staff
Originally published April 30, 2005
Kweisi Mfume sat alone at the back of the room yesterday morning, scribbling remarks he was about to deliver at a Big Brothers Big Sisters promotion at a Baltimore museum.

There were no handlers to keep crowds away from the candidate for Senate. No entourage to rebuff the fresh allegations - which he denies - about nepotism and a hostile work environment at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he was president.

Mfume did not mention his candidacy during the event about mentors for children of imprisoned parents, which he emceed. Nor did any other speaker. "What I do with this program is more important than the United States Senate," he said later.

In the six weeks since he became the first candidate to enter the race to succeed retiring incumbent Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, Mfume has kept a surprisingly low profile. After a decade out of public office, the challenges are many as he looks to mount his first statewide campaign, from raising money to hiring staffers and enlisting volunteers.

And now this latest obstacle has emerged - questions about whether he was pushed out of the national civil rights group in part because of charges from a former employee who said Mfume promoted women based on personal relationships with them.

"I view it as another hurdle in a life of hurdles that I have always found a way to endure," Mfume said in an interview.

Battling the charges, which he argued are coming from a political enemy who wants him out of the campaign, will not be difficult compared with the challenges he faced as a young man looking to escape the street life of Baltimore, he said.

"What is hard is being a 22-year-old, getting beaten up because you are getting out of a gang," he said. "Hard is lying in the gutter, with blood streaming from the back of your head.

"This is not hard," he said.

Mfume entered the race on the first business day after Sarbanes said he would not run again. "That was a masterstroke of political strategy," said Thomas F. Schaller, a professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County who is supporting Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin in the primary, because it froze out other major African-American candidates such as congressmen Albert R. Wynn and Elijah E. Cummings and Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn Ivey.

"Nobody would expect him to have a campaign manger, a Web site, a finance director and regional field offices right away," Schaller said. "But it's six weeks later. Where is he?"

Mfume acknowledged that fund raising for the race, which some think could cost $5 million, is going slowly. He began making telephone calls to donors this week, he said.

He does not have a campaign manager or a media adviser. His Web site, www.mfumeforsen ate.com, bears the label "under construction," although he said it was to be operating this weekend.

"I've given myself 90 days to get myself up to speed," he said.

Mfume says he has a political director: Eric Lee Bryant, an attorney and lobbyist with the prominent firm Rifkin, Livingston, Levitan & Silver. But Bryant, who has worked previously for Mfume's congressional office and for the NAACP, said he is only a volunteer.

Mfume has enlisted a big name as a senior adviser: Joe Trippi, best known as presidential candidate Howard Dean's campaign manager, said that he has signed on to the campaign. Trippi is based in St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore, according to his Web site.

With the primary election 17 months away, Mfume has some time to get an organization in place, but not much.

"Money chases the ability to win," Schaller said. "And ability to win is a function of organization and endorsements. You have to get the snowball rolling. A primary campaign isn't about ideology, because [Democrat candidates] are not that much different. It comes down to organization and shoe-leather."

State Democratic Party Chairman Terry Lierman said that Mfume is wearing out shoes with visits throughout Maryland that escape media attention.

"I am all over the state, and he is everywhere I go," Lierman said, citing recent appearances at a gathering of Western Maryland Democratic leaders and stops on the Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland.

Mary Jo Neville, an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee from Howard County, said she heard Mfume speak at the Western Maryland summit. She recalled that he received a standing ovation and moved some audience members to tears with his personal tale of lifting himself from a life of street-thuggery in Baltimore.

The crowd was virtually all-white, Neville said, and "more people were over 70 than under 70 - using walkers and canes."

"They were lined up when he finished to get their picture taken," she said. "I was stunned."

Those are the kinds of voters Mfume will have to win over if he hopes to become Maryland's next senator.

The Sun Poll conducted in mid-April showed that in a three-way Democratic primary between Mfume, Cardin (who entered the race this week) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (still deciding), Mfume would come out ahead - but largely on the strength of his showing in heavily African-American Baltimore City and Prince George's County.

In Maryland's three large Democratic strongholds, those two jurisdictions and Montgomery County, Mfume would take 42 percent of the vote, with Van Hollen at 26 percent and Cardin at 13 percent, the poll showed.

But outside those areas, Mfume's support drops. In the state's 21 other counties, Mfume polled at 19 percent, with Cardin taking 34 percent and Van Hollen at 4 percent.

The margin of error was 4.5 percentage points.

State Republicans are hoping that Mfume wins the primary, because they believe Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele would run stronger against the former congressman than any other contender. The poll showed Steele ahead of Mfume, 43 percent to 41 percent, with 15 percent undecided - a statistical tie given the survey's margin of error.

State Republican Party Chairman John M. Kane said he was not surprised that Mfume has been quiet early on, saying the candidate probably wants to see who else enters the race.

"Rather than shoot and aim, I think he wants to aim and shoot, which makes sense," Kane said.

Mfume will now have to shoot down the favoritism and nepotism accusations, which Trippi said are "politically motivated garbage which will have no impact on the race."

Mfume said he is not troubled if other Democrats are trying to weaken him. In his most difficult contests - a race for City Council in 1979 that he won by three votes, and his first campaign for Congress in 1986 - he was not embraced by the party establishment.

"I know that like in '79, I will not win this race because of the system," he said yesterday. "I will win in spite of the system."

Copyright © 2005, The Baltimore Sun | Get home delivery"

County Pays For Jack Johnson African Vacation IN THE MIDDLE OF A MURDER CRISIS!!!

2005-04-29T23:31:00.000-04:00

Local Officials Travel on Local Dimes - WTOP Radio:

"I am surprised that he would be in Africa during a murder crisis," former delegate Rushern L. Baker III, widely considered an aspirant for county executive in 2006, said at a rally last week. "Hopefully, he is there recruiting police officers."

"Local Officials Travel on Local Dimes
Updated: Thursday, Mar. 31, 2005 - 7:50 AM

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson has joined the ranks of local officials traveling abroad on local dimes.
Johnson returned Saturday from a cultural and economic mission to Western Africa.

He was joined on the 10 day excursion to Senegal and Gambia by eight county employees, including a member of his security detail.

During a week-long stay in Ziguinchor, Senegal, Johnson attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a business center named in the county's honor.

The county donated $5,000 to purchase computer equipment and set up Internet access for the center, and members of his delegation delivered 10 used computers to a Ziguinchor school and assessed the area's roads and water system.

County officials did not release a budget for the trip or the cost to county taxpayers.

"I don't have it," Michael D. Herman, Johnson's chief of staff, said of the cost breakdown. "A couple of the people involved with the trip have that information. I'm not going to venture an estimate."

Ola Hill, the county's director of community affairs, handled the travel arrangements but was unreachable because she was still traveling, said James P. Keary, a spokesman for Johnson.

Hill was part of a delegation that traveled to Royal Bafokeng in South Africa, another of the county's sister cities, in August 2003 to celebrate the crowning of a king in the region. The county paid for four employees to go to South Africa at a cost of about $7,000.

After leaving Senegal last week, Johnson and the group, which included 25 business owners and leaders from Prince George's, traveled to Gambia for three days to meet with business and government leaders about a trade deal with the Gambian government.

The initial leg of the trip was part of the county's sister-cities program with Senegal.

"This has been a long-term relationship of sharing of ideas, sharing of culture between the county and Senegal," Keary said. "It's an opportunity, and Jack Johnson is taking this opportunity to make it an economic development exploration."

Although the trip to Africa was Johnson's first official overseas trip, other county politicians in the Washington region have gone abroad to drum up business opportunities.

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, for example, has taken five trips abroad in 10 years. Two of Duncan's trips - a trade mission to Scotland and a biotech conference in Toronto - were paid for, in part, by the county.

The Scotland trip in 2001 was with two county employees and cost $2,100 per person; the county paid only for Duncan's flight to Toronto, according to Joseph Shapiro of the county's Department of Economic Development.

Howard County Executive James N. Robey has flown to China, Israel and several countries in Europe during his seven years in office. Vicki Goodman, a spokeswoman for Robey, said that Robey was the guest of various groups on the three trips and that no taxpayer money was spent.

Johnson's trip took him out of Prince George's this month as problems mounted at home.

The 2006 budget is due to the County Council this week. State lawmakers are weighing whether to give additional support to financially troubled Prince George's Hospital Center. And county leaders, police officials and residents have been discussing how to deal with a rising homicide rate.

This year, there have been 37 slayings in the county, nearly twice as many as last year at this time.

"I am surprised that he would be in Africa during a murder crisis," former delegate Rushern L. Baker III, widely considered an aspirant for county executive in 2006, said at a rally last week. "Hopefully, he is there recruiting police officers."

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) "

Washington Examiner: Duncan is Gaining on O'Malley

2005-04-29T21:02:00.000-04:00

Washington Examiner: News: "

Duncan's gubernatorial campaign gains steam
Mo. Co. exec. make headway in polls
Published: Thursday, April 28, 2005 10:17 PM EDT

Jonathan Marino
Examiner Staff Writer
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan coasted into the reception room of Florian Hall in Bowie earlier this week and received a loud ovation. "I want to be the next governor of Maryland," he told enthused members of the Prince George's County Young Democrats club, adding immediately afterward that the declaration is not official.

But Duncan has made no secret that he has his sights on living in Annapolis. The Young Democrats club event is one of many stops for Duncan on a campaign trail that appears to be taking some thunder away from his likely Democrat opponent, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley.

The revelation that Duncan will pursue a gubernatorial bid is not shocking - Council Member Steve Silverman already has announced his campaign for Duncan's current seat.

A source close to the county executive said Duncan will declare his candidacy by the end of June, which is more than a year away from the Democratic primary. When he does declare, he'll have a lot of catching up to do: A recent Potomac Survey Research poll showed Duncan trailing O'Malley by 20 points.

This disadvantage has diminished over time, however. An earlier survey had O'Malley getting 50 percent of the votes in the Democratic primary to Duncan's 27 percent. Judging by these polls, not only has Duncan cut into O'Malley's lead, but the Baltimore mayor has lost about 6 percent of voters who are now undecided.

Duncan's summer declaration also would put an end to another rumbling among some Democrats - that he might consider running for state comptroller.

While Duncan's opposition to slots could earn him Prince George's County voters - O'Malley supported the gambling measure - he will be hard-pressed to attract votes in Baltimore City, a key jurisdiction with a significant vote count.

jmarino@dcexaminer.com"

baltimoresun.com - Duncan hires campaign manager

2005-04-29T20:59:00.000-04:00

baltimoresun.com - Duncan hires campaign manager: "Duncan hires campaign manager
Montgomery executive taps strategist from Louisiana for expected run
The Associated Press
Originally published April 29, 2005, 9:33 AM EDT
ROCKVILLE -- Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan is bringing in a campaign strategist from Louisiana to manage his expected run for governor.

Duncan has hired 34-year-old Scott Arceneaux, who engineered victories by Democrats in two out of three recent statewide races.

Arceneaux said he is planning an aggressive campaign to raise Duncan's profile outside Montgomery County. Duncan has been making the rounds at Democratic events and took in half a million dollars two weeks ago at a fund-raiser.

Duncan's expected rival for the Democratic nomination -- Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley -- recently hired Jonathan Epstein to manage his campaign. Epstein helped orchestrate John Kerry's victory in the Iowa presidential caucuses last year. "

La. Strategist to Run Duncan's Campaign

2005-04-29T20:56:00.000-04:00

La. Strategist to Run Duncan's Campaign: "La. Strategist to Run Duncan's Campaign
'Hard-Charger' Has Record of Success

By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2005; B05
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced yesterday that he has hired a Louisiana Democratic strategist to manage his campaign for governor next year.

Scott Arceneaux, 34, will move to Maryland in a few weeks to lead Duncan's race against Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley for the Democratic nomination.

"He is a veteran campaign manager, a hard-charger and a great addition to our team," Duncan said in a statement.

In an interview, Arceneaux said Duncan will mount "a very aggressive campaign" to raise Duncan's profile outside of Montgomery County by highlighting his record as county executive. "He's got 10 years of success," Arceneaux said. "It's just a matter of getting his message out."

After graduating from Tulane Law School in 1995, Arceneaux began working on Democratic campaigns in Louisiana. He was executive director of the state party from 2001 to 2004.

During his tenure, Arceneaux was credited with helping Louisiana Democrats buck a regional Republican trend. While the GOP was winning governorships and U.S. Senate seats across the South, Sen. Mary Landrieu was reelected in 2002, and another Democrat, Kathleen Blanco, won the 2003 gubernatorial race.

Arceneaux's winning streak ended in 2004 when he managed a bid by then-Rep. Chris John (D-La.) to replace retiring Sen. John Breaux. Republican David Vitter easily won that race.

While some Louisiana Democrats say they wish Arceneaux had run a more aggressive campaign, his reputation at home appears to be solid.

"Scott is one of the best political minds that I know," said Derek Wooley, the current executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party. "The guy knows the nuts and bolts of the campaign. He knows how to put together a winning campaign."

Jim Nickel, a former chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, said Arceneaux "knows how to go on the attack and knows how to respond."

Although Louisiana is far more culturally conservative than Maryland, African Americans account for about 30 percent of the electorate in both states, and they are expected to play a critical role in Maryland's gubernatorial race.

Duncan's selection of a campaign manager comes as he steps up the pace of his all-but-announced candidacy. He has been making the rounds of Democratic events across the state, and two weeks ago, he took in a half-million dollars at a fund-raiser in North Bethesda.

On Monday, Duncan launched his sharpest attack so far on O'Malley, criticizing him for not taking a more active role in urging the General Assembly to approve legislation that would have provided state funding for embryonic stem cell research.

O'Malley, who has an early lead in most polls, brushed off the attack. A few weeks ago, he hired Jonathan Epstein -- who helped orchestrate Sen. John F. Kerry's victory in the Iowa presidential caucuses last year -- to manage his campaign.

© 2005 The Washington Post Company"

Washington Examiner: Jack Johnson Thinks New Sidewalks Will Stop Murder Crisis!

2005-04-29T18:46:00.000-04:00

Washington Examiner: Top News:

"Former state delegate Rushern Baker, who is expected to challenge Johnson in the upcoming race for County Executive, said Johnson was playing "smoke and mirrors" and skirting the issue of the county's rising murder rate during his announcement at Forest Creek.

"Today's staged media event is a distraction from [Johnson's] failure to handle the crime problem. ... Fixing sidewalks is nice, but cracked sidewalks do not jump up and kill people," Baker said.""

"Apartment owners, Johnson strike deal
Opponents: County exec. avoiding real issues
By ROBERT ARKELL
Examiner Staff Writer
Published: Friday, April 22, 2005 12:56 AM EDT

County Executive Jack Johnson addresses the press and community leaders about his plans to reduce crime in apartment communities in Prince George's County on Thursday in Forestville. Jay Westcott/Examiner
Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson announced Thursday that most of the owners of the 22 apartment complexes he threatened to take over last March have agreed to work with him on cleaning up their properties.

Painters and construction workers busily worked on a few of the apartment buildings at Forest Creek Apartments in Forestville as Johnson made his announcement.

"That is what it is all about ... making certain that all of our young people can grow up here in safety," Johnson said as he stood in front of the buildings that were being renovated.

Johnson's meetings with the owners will be wrapped up by the middle of next week, county officials said. Johnson also said he still held fast to the threat he gave owners in March that their properties could be closed down if they failed to meet with the county's demands for improvement.

"I was clear. ... if the owners did not help us eliminate the problem then we would close them down," Johnson said.

One owner has even agreed to tear his facility down, Johnson said. Johnson declined to identify the owner. "We're going to make certain that the citizens of that residence move properly," Johnson said.

No crackdown on crime

Many of the 22 apartments and communities surrounding the complexes were responsible for a large number of police calls. Some apartment complexes repeatedly failed to provide security officers for residents.

Realty Management Vice President of Residential Management Tony Enrico said security officers are now patrolling more hours at Forest Creek Apartments, which is jointly owned by New Keystone Associates and Realty Management Services.

Former state delegate Rushern Baker, who is expected to challenge Johnson in the upcoming race for County Executive, said Johnson was playing "smoke and mirrors" and skirting the issue of the county's rising murder rate during his announcement at Forest Creek.

"Today's staged media event is a distraction from [Johnson's] failure to handle the crime problem. ... Fixing sidewalks is nice, but cracked sidewalks do not jump up and kill people," Baker said."

W*USA 9 - Jack Johnson's Solution to Crime - Make The Poor People Move!

2005-04-29T18:20:00.000-04:00

W*USA 9 - USA Tonight:
"House Divided
Written by Stacey Cohan
Created:3/22/2005 9:07:39 PM
Last Updated:3/22/2005 9:17:45 PM

A pledge to fight crime turns into a battle over affordable housing.

Last week, Prince George's County executive Jack Johnson vowed to shut down badly run apartment complexes that have become hotspots for criminals.

But law abiding apartment dwellers want Johnson to evict the criminals not the residents.

Stacey Cohan's report

A brand new fence divides apartment complexes in Forestville, but a quickly cut hole proves tough problems are not so easily solved.

Letha Green has lived here for seven years. She's seen crime soar, but she got mad when she heard that part of County Executive Jack Johnson's plan to cut crime is to crack down on landlords for poor maintenance of apartment complexes.

According to Johnson's office, one out of every 20 calls for police service last year came from the 22 complexes. His deputy chief of staff Derrick Green says management needs to fix up the buildings, install proper lighting and help keep residents safe.

Rushern Baker ran against Johnson for county executive in 2003. He says threatening to shut down rental properties is the wrong approach.

But the administration says they are flooded with calls from apartment dwellers complaining about poor conditions. Officials insist this is not about pushing out the poor. They say it's about shutting out the criminals.

A Jack Johnson spokesman says the county executive has committed to hiring 150 police officers over the next six years.

Click on video to see Stacey Cohan's report."

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Takes the Campaign To Seat Pleasant

2005-04-29T12:08:00.000-04:00

Seat Pleasant Mayor Ecstatic Over Ehrlich's 'Historic' Visit: "Seat Pleasant Mayor Ecstatic Over Ehrlich's 'Historic' Visit

By Ovetta Wiggins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2005; Page PG02

It seemed that Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene Grant (D) couldn't say it enough.

He said it when he shook hands with Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R). He repeated it while Ehrlich, who brought along eight members of his cabinet, sat next to Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele on the makeshift stage.

State Sen. Leo E. Green said that county Police Chief Melvin C. High, above, played a key role in helping to get an important piece of legislation passed. (By James M. Thresher -- The Washington Post)

"This is a historic day in Seat Pleasant," said a beaming Grant.

Historic because no governor in the city's 74-year-history, he said, had ever made an official appearance in Seat Pleasant.

Grant wore his grin from the time Ehrlich stepped onto the bus for the planned 20-minute tour of the city until the time the governor stepped off the stage heading to his next event.

"It's sad it took 74 years for it to happen," Grant said after receiving a $75,000 check from Ehrlich, a community legacy grant that the city applied for to purchase 90 vacant homes for demolition. Included in the crowd of about 400 were Virginia Kellogg, head of the county's Black Republicans Club and chairman of the county's Republican Central Committee; Sylvester Vaughn , a longtime Republican and member of the county planning board; and District Heights Mayor Carol D. Johnson , who switched to the GOP in 2003.Ehrlich is clearly trying to increase his presence in Prince George's, which is expected to be a key player in deciding who will challenge him in 2006. (His wife, Kendel , was scheduled to give the keynote address last night at the annual Lincoln Day dinner for the county Republicans).

The two lead Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls -- Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan -- have already started jockeying for position in the county."

Pr. George's - 18,485 Car Thefts last year on Jack Johnson's watch

2005-04-29T12:05:00.000-04:00

Pr. George's Car Thefts Become Political Grist: "Pr. George's Car Thefts Become Political Grist

By Allison Klein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2005; Page B01

Every half-hour on average, a car in Prince George's is stolen, giving the county not only the highest car theft rate in Maryland but an even more dubious distinction: The number of vehicles swiped surpasses the combined totals of every other jurisdiction in the state.

According to police agencies, the number of cars stolen in Prince George's also exceeds the number taken in the whole state of Virginia and is more than double the number in the District.

Rushern L. Baker III, a former delegate and likely Democratic candidate for Prince George's executive, gives his interpretation of the car theft numbers. (By Dudley M. Brooks -- The Washington Post)

The county's car theft rate became a political issue this week, as Rushern L. Baker III, a likely Democratic candidate for county executive, held a news conference calling attention to the 18,485 cars stolen last year. Baker, a former state delegate, said yesterday that County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) and the police department have "taken no responsibility or leadership to address the crime problem."

Hours earlier, Johnson had sent out an evening news release commending the department for a 16 percent decrease in auto thefts this year compared with the same period last year. So far this year, 4,280 cars have been taken, compared with 5,134 last year -- numbers that surpass the thefts for the entire year in almost every other county and city in the state.

Johnson's release did not include the less-flattering statistic from the police department that the number of carjacking incidents -- in which a car is forcibly taken from a person -- has increased 40 percent during the same period.

In addition to car thefts, the county has the highest number of carjackings in the state: 563 last year, compared with 492 for all of the state's other jurisdictions combined. And it leads the state in rapes, robberies and arsons, according to data from the state's Uniform Crime Report.

Baker held his news conference in a Lanham parking lot to emphasize the point that enough cars to fill a parking lot, about 50, are stolen in the county on average each day. He called for Police Chief Melvin C. High to resign.

"It would send a signal that [Johnson] is going to bring someone in who knows how to reduce crime," Baker said. "He's the police commissioner, and the buck stops somewhere."

High declined to comment. Johnson's spokesman, James P. Keary, said High seems to be staying put. "I have not heard of him planning to make any changes in his employment," Keary said.

Johnson's news release said vehicle theft increased more than 20 percent in the years before he was elected in 2002. It then stated that since 2003, the number of auto thefts has "stabilized." According to the Uniform Crime Report, the numbers rose from 17,628 in 2003 to 18,485 last year, an increase of about 5 percent.

Keary also noted that overall crime in the county has plateaued over the past two years. However, police statistics show that violent crimes such as murder, rape and robbery are increasing significantly, a trend that continues this year.

Keary attributed the recent dip in auto thefts to several initiatives, including one that began last month called the Lock It and Pocket campaign, which educates residents not to leave their cars running if they are not in them. About a third of stolen vehicles have keys left in the ignitions while the driver dashes into a convenience store or waits indoors for the car to heat up or cool down, according to police.

Officers have been canvassing neighborhoods on weekday mornings and warning people not to make their cars attractive to thieves. They will soon begin handing out $55 tickets, which is the penalty for leaving a running car unattended.

In January, the county created the Auto Theft and Vandalism Prevention Task Force, which includes business, community, public safety and government leaders trying to find ways to reduce vehicle theft. Johnson provided $300,000 to cover overtime, equipment and other expenses. Also, High began the Violent Crime Task Force and the High Intensity Traffic Initiative, allocating additional police resources to car thefts in high-crime areas of the county.

In addition, the number of officers in the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement task force was increased April 15 to 28, up from 10. The task force is composed of officers from the Prince George's police and sheriff's departments, U.S. Marshals Service, D.C. police, Montgomery County police and Maryland State Police.

Yesterday, standing in front of a parking lot full of cars, Baker said that until recently, the county has not faced the car theft issue head-on and instead "kept a lid on the problem."

"This is not a new problem. There has been a steady rise over the past three years, and they're just starting to address it now," Baker said. "Is that acceptable in this county? I'm calling on Jack Johnson to take responsibility for the crisis that is unfolding on his watch.""

Allegations could hurt ex-NAACP head Kweisi Mfume's Senate bid: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

2005-04-29T12:02:00.000-04:00

Allegations could hurt ex-NAACP head's Senate bid: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Allegations could hurt ex-NAACP head's Senate bid

Some fear that rumors might hurt his image

By David Nitkin
Sun Staff
Posted April 29 2005

Allegations that Kweisi Mfume promoted women at the NAACP based on personal relationships with them could harm his fledgling campaign for Senate, political experts and several allies said yesterday.

"I think it is damaging," said Del. Curt Anderson, a Baltimore Democrat and longtime supporter of the former Baltimore congressman. "Any time you are unfair or show favoritism, that is a general knock against a person's ability to do a good job as an elected official."

Mfume, who resigned late last year as president of the national civil rights group, has denied the charges, first reported yesterday in The Washington Post. He said he believes the apparent leak of a report prepared by a lawyer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People board members is the work of political enemies looking to harm him.

"I can't prevent anyone from allegations, but I can state the facts. The facts are I believe the hiring and promoting of women is the right thing to do. ... I believe every woman deserves equal pay for equal work, without exception," Mfume said last night during a speech at an African-American political club in Prince George's County, where he was greeted with vigorous applause.

Mfume vowed last night that he would not end his campaign and said it was just beginning. Still, he faces significant challenges in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, despite a Sun poll this month showing him leading a match-up of likely Democratic primary candidates.

He is banking on voters concentrating on his self-made career as a congressman and president of a venerable national institution, rather than his teen days as a street hustler named Frizzell Gray who fathered five children out of wedlock.

"This is a guy who claims to have come up from the streets, straightened himself out and stayed on the straight and narrow ever since," said Matthew Crenson, a political science professor at the Johns Hopkins University. "But it now seems, at least in the eyes of voters, he really hasn't changed that much at all, if we believe these charges."

Many Baltimore voters are likely aware of Mfume's history, but the allegations could serve as a harsh and off-putting introduction to residents of suburban counties who might be reluctant to support a left-leaning politician who as a student in the 1970s helped take over a Baltimore community college building and replaced the U.S. flag with a black-power banner, Crenson and others said.

"Some would speculate that it would detract from the congressman's crossover appeal," said Herbert C. Smith, a political science professor at McDaniel College in Westminster.

Mfume is one of three declared Democrats in the race. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin of Baltimore County announced his candidacy this week, and community activist A. Robert Kaufman is also running.

Mfume's possible weakness makes it more likely that Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Montgomery County Democrat known as an aggressive campaigner, will enter the contest.

Van Hollen "stands to gain the most if Kweisi is not in the race, or if he is weakened in the race," said Rushern Baker, a Democratic former delegate from Prince George's and a likely candidate for county executive there next year. "Van Hollen is the natural person to take a significant amount of votes in Prince George's County."

And if Mfume clears the primary field, he faces the further challenge of Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele - the strongest probable Republican candidate - in the general election, said Crenson.

"Steele will be able to stand beside him as a devout Catholic with strong family vaules," Crenson said. "He will be able to make charges against Mfume that a white candidate will not."

Mfume's current and possible challengers - and other leading state politicians - remained reserved yesterday in their reaction to the allegations. None said they had knowledge of how the report surfaced.

"I have no reaction at all," said Steele, who would not stop to answer questions after an appearance in Baltimore yesterday to hand out community development funds.

"We don't know anything about this, so it obviously is inappropriate for us to comment," said Jamie Fontaine, a spokeswoman for Cardin.

Said Rep. Albert R. Wynn, a Prince George's Democrat who has ruled out running for the Senate seat: "The allegations are serious, but we can't rush to judgment. We have to let the evidence play itself out. We don't know the full story."

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley said the damage was "really not for me to handicap."

"Certainly he did a terrific job as congressman, head of the Congressional Black Caucus, and all of us were proud of the leadership he brought on important issues on the national level," the mayor said.

Several longtime Mfume friends said they do not believe the allegations, but acknowledge that their existence will harm the former congressman's prospects.

"The sad thing is, people will give it some form of credibility, which has nothing to do with the truth," said Arthur W. Murphy, a political consultant who has supported Mfume for decades but is not working on his current campaign.

But Murphy said Mfume's senatorial prospects were "flawed to begin with."

"This is the same state that elected [Republican Robert] Ehrlich as governor," Murphy said. "All you have to do is ask yourself if Maryland today will elect an African-American far-left-of-center politician statewide? Highly doubtful. But I have stopped betting against him."

Sun staff writers Sumathi Reddy and Greg Barrett contributed to this article."

PG County Executive Jack B. Johnson SNUBS former County Executive Wayne K. Curry

2005-04-29T11:14:00.000-04:00

It's all in the names -- and the seating arrangement: "It's all in the names -- and the seating arrangement

by Tiesha Higgins
Staff Writer
April 28, 2005

Following the tradition of many speakers, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) took his turn acknowledging the who's who at the Prince George's County Young Democrats dinner Friday.

Somehow, however, Johnson forgot to mention former County Executive Wayne K. Curry, who was seated at the event next to former state delegate Rushern Baker, a likely Johnson challenger in the next election and Curry ally during his time in the General Assembly.

Sources say Curry, a two-term county executive, was angry over the omission.

"[Johnson] only mentioned a few folks because he was focusing in on his speech. He was just acknowledging some people who had just come in at the time," explained James Keary, a county executive spokesman. Keary said Jonn Mack, president of the Prince George's County Young Democrats, had already recognized all of the officials present immediately before Johnson's remarks."

Washington Post Uncovers major Kweisi Mfume Sex Scandal - Kweisi Used NAACP Funds to Pay For Sex

2005-04-28T00:14:00.000-04:00

Mfume Accused of Favoritism At NAACP: "Mfume Accused of Favoritism At NAACP
Ex-President Denies Rewarding Women

By Matthew Mosk and Cheryl W. Thompson
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, April 28, 2005; Page A01

Allegations detailed in a confidential NAACP report claim that Kweisi Mfume gave raises and promotions to women with whom he had close personal relationships while he was president of the nation's oldest civil rights organization.

The 22-page memorandum, prepared last summer by an outside lawyer, did not accept as true the claims lodged against Mfume by a female employee but determined that they could be "very difficult to defend persuasively" if she filed a lawsuit.

Mfume, 56, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maryland, has denied the allegations. In an interview yesterday, he said the allegations in no way influenced his Nov. 30 announcement that he would leave the NAACP after nine years.

"I don't engage in inappropriate behavior," he said in the interview. "And if I did, I'm sure after nine years there, 10 years in the Congress and seven years on the [Baltimore] City Council, it would have been an issue long before your telephone call to me."

Disclosure of the report could prove sensitive for Mfume, who has ascended the political ranks in part on the basis of his compelling personal narrative. He overcame teenage years spent running in street gangs to become a five-term congressman and head the prominent civil rights organization.

The matter also could be delicate for the NAACP. Mfume took over the group from interim head Earl T. Shinhoster in 1996 when it was still reeling from the turbulent 16-month tenure of Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Chavis was removed in 1994 after he agreed to secretly pay $332,400 in NAACP funds to settle claims of sexual discrimination by a female aide.

Members of the NAACP executive committee first saw the report detailing the allegations against Mfume at an October meeting in Washington, about a month before Mfume announced his decision to step down. The document has been a closely guarded secret -- one board member said the copies that were distributed were numbered and collected after the meeting. Most members reached this week declined to discuss it.

The document was intended as an assessment of the allegations as the organization's leaders evaluated how to handle the claims of the mid-level employee, Michele Speaks.

Speaks hired an attorney and asked for $140,000, two years' salary, in exchange for agreeing not to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or pursuing a lawsuit, according to the report. Speaks could not be reached for comment. Her attorney, Kathleen Cahill, declined to comment.

The NAACP hired Marcia E. Goodman, a Chicago employment lawyer, to analyze Speaks's allegations. In the memo, Goodman concluded that some of Speaks's claims -- including an assertion that Mfume "touched her on the hip" -- largely amounted to a "he said-she said" dispute. But Goodman wrote that others were more problematic.

Speaks could mount a credible claim of workplace harassment because of "the impression [that was] created that a woman must provide sexual favors to Mr. Mfume or his associates in order to receive favorable treatment in the workplace," the lawyer wrote in the memo.

In an interview yesterday, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond would not say whether the organization's board ultimately decided to pay Speaks.

"

Kweisi Mfume Sex Scandal - NAACP Personal Sex Harem? Page 2

2005-04-28T00:09:00.000-04:00

Mfume Accused of Favoritism At NAACP: "Page 2 of 3 < Back Next >

Mfume Accused of Favoritism At NAACP
"Whenever an allegation of any sort that violates our personnel policies comes to our attention, we investigate, and if the allegation has merit, we take action," Bond said.

Asked whether the allegations played any role in Mfume's departure, Bond said, "That's a personnel matter that I cannot comment on."

When Mfume publicly announced his retirement, he told reporters that his abrupt departure was not the forced result of any scandal or squabble but a voluntary decision to spend more time with Christopher, his 15-year-old son.

"They tried to talk me out of it," Mfume said of board members.

Three months later, Mfume, who is divorced, stood with five of his six sons in a lounge overlooking Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore to launch his bid for the Senate seat being vacated by Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Md.) in early 2007.

In campaigns for Baltimore City Council and for Congress, the polished orator transformed a checkered past into an inspirational story of personal triumph that has been one of his strongest assets. Stumping in Bowie last week, he told a crowd of young Democrats, "Your values are what you're going to be tested on."

A separate memo shows that Mfume has faced questions about his romantic relationships with NAACP employees going back to 1998. In 1999, staff lawyers conducted an inquiry after two women got into a loud verbal altercation, allegedly over his attentions. One woman was disciplined; the other was promoted several months later, according to one document.

The altercation is described in a May 24, 1999, internal memo that lawyers for the NAACP wrote to Bond. "There appeared to be a widespread belief in the organization that President Mfume had displayed preferential treatment" to one of the women "based on a possible dating relationship," the memo says.

The lawyers then questioned whether Mfume "interfered with this inquiry by exerting improper influence on two key witnesses." Also, according to the memo, Mfume refused to answer questions in the inquiry.

Mfume acknowledged yesterday that he dated one of the women in that altercation, a female NAACP employee, for "three months" and later adopted her 4-year-old son. The boy is now 15, he said. The woman now works for the Maryland Department of Transportation.

"It was for a very brief moment," he said of the relationship. "And I fell in love with this kid who was fatherless and was very withdrawn. He's [become] an unbelievably impressive young man."

Mfume also said that he has never doled out raises or promotions within the NAACP to women with whom he reportedly had intimate relationships.
"

Washington Post - Kweisi Mfume Sex Scandal Page 3 of 3

2005-04-28T00:05:00.000-04:00

Mfume Accused of Favoritism At NAACP: "Page 3 of 3 < Back

Mfume Accused of Favoritism At NAACP
'No and no again,' he said.
But Goodman's analysis in the 2004 memo said Speaks's claims could create the impression that Mfume approved raises and promotions to women who were his 'paramours' or were involved romantically with one of his older sons. If those claims held up in court, Goodman wrote, they 'would likely be damaging to the organization's reputation.'

To bolster her analysis, Goodman details salary information for several women who worked at the NAACP's national headquarters in Baltimore and states that those rumored to have close relationships with Mfume, or with his son, have fared better than those who did not.
In Goodman's inquiry, Mfume was asked about the 10 allegations. According to the memo, Mfume said, '[T]here is not nor has there been any situation where female employees have been 'pitted against one another' to obtain raises or promotions.'
Some board members offered an assessment of Mfume's performance in the job.
'He helped bring us through some very dark times,' said one member, Gary Bledsoe, a lawyer from Austin.
Hazel N. Dukes, a board member from New York, agreed. 'I'm dumbfounded that someone would give this around,' she said of the memo. 'Mr. Mfume served well at the NAACP.'
The board, which is gathering today in Cambridge, Mass., is expected to discuss the selection of Mfume's successor.
Staff researcher Bobbye Pratt contributed to this report."

Doug Duncan--Maryland Democrat - Duncan's good start By Blair Lee

2005-04-03T23:53:00.000-04:00

Doug Duncan--Maryland Democrat: "Duncan's good start

By Blair Lee
Gazette
Friday, February 25, 2005

On paper, next year's Democratic gubernatorial primary looks like a mismatch. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley is a charismatic matinee idol with national ambitions. And he married into one of Maryland's great political dynasties, the Curran family (his wife is a judge, his father-in-law is Attorney General and the Curran machine has controlled northeast Baltimore for decades).

In 1999, O'Malley's political skill and star power made him the white mayor of a black city and he's way ahead in the early 2006 gubernatorial polls.

O'Malley's Democratic rival, Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, looks more like an usher than a movie star and his plodding, charisma-challenged style will never match O'Malley's. Likewise, the handicappers question Duncan's political acumen: when he ran for governor in 2002 most of his fellow-Montgomery politicians supported his opponent, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and when, in the midst of that race, Duncan told a reporter he'd settle for being Townsend's running mate, his candidacy dissolved.

But in the early innings of this campaign, Duncan is turning heads. He's mended his political fences (most Montgomery pols are in his camp) and his well-crafted battle plan is scoring points.

Tactically, Duncan needs to lure O'Malley into a debate over their track records and the quality-of-life differences between Montgomery and Baltimore. But as long as Duncan remains the underdog, O'Malley's going to ignore him and, instead , spend his time attacking Republican incumbent Bob Ehrlich.

In 1986, Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer won the governor's race by promising, "I'll do for Maryland as I did for Baltimore." Thanks to the city's glitzy new Harbor Place, Schaefer's promise resonated.

Now Duncan is saying, "I'll do for Maryland as I did for Montgomery" and he's challenging O'Malley to make the same claim. But it's a challenge O'Malley doesn't want to face.

Duncan can point to an economy, school system, housing stock and living standard envied throughout Maryland. He can point to his new world-class Music Center at Strathmore, to his miraculous rejuvenation of downtown Silver Spring, to his new conference center and to his Intercounty Connector, accomplishments he made happen.

Under Duncan, 72,000 jobs were created, 200 new cops were put on the streets, SAT scores rose to historic levels and Newsweek magazine ranked 20 of Montgomery's 23 high schools in the nation's best 5 percent.

Meanwhile, O'Malley is saddled with the state's worst schools, worst crime, worst economy and worst housing. And General Motors is closing its Broening Highway plant eliminating another 1,100 jobs.

Under Duncan, the county's population increased by 110,000 while Baltimore is losing 300 residents a month. Montgomery County's median home price is $359,975, Baltimore's is $155,000. Montgomery has the state's lowest unemployment rate, Baltimore has the highest. And so on.

But nothing haunts O'Malley more than his city's uncontrolled murder rate, the nation's worst. With 278 homicides last year, Baltimore's murder rate was three times greater than New York's and five times greater than Los Angeles'. And Baltimore's homicide rate this year is already ahead of 2004's.

This is particularly troublesome for O'Malley because he was elected on a "zero tolerance," anti-crime platform promising to reduce murders to 175 per year. Meanwhile, with 40 percent more residents than Baltimore, Montgomery County experienced only 17 murders last year, as many deaths as occurred on the county's pedestrian crosswalks!

But how can Duncan close the polling gap enough to force O'Malley to engage him in battle? The answer: slots. Duncan has brilliantly claimed the moral high ground in the high-profile statehouse debate over legalizing slots. Duncan is leading the opposition while O'Malley, for political reasons, has taken a wishy-washy pro-slots stance.

The Gonzales poll shows that a majority of Marylanders favor slots. But the majority of Democratic voters oppose slots 56 percent to 39 percent, especially in the D.C. suburbs, and blacks oppose slots 55 percent to 33 percent.

So, by opposing slots, Duncan is solidifying his base (Montgomery and Prince George's) while wooing blacks who make up 28 percent of the state's population and almost 40 percent of the Democratic primary vote.

O'Malley is defenseless because his key to beating Ehrlich in the general election is winning suburban Baltimore where slots are favored 58 percent to 38 percent. If O'Malley echoes Duncan's no-slots position, he'll beat Duncan in the Democratic primary but lose suburban Baltimore, and the election, to Ehrlich in November. Strategically, Duncan is playing for the primary election, O'Malley is playing for the general.

Duncan's slots ploy brings him the well dug-in anti-slots lobby, the Washington Post (who slammed O'Malley on Tuesday), the black ministers (who appeared with Duncan on Wednesday) and, most importantly, it creates the necessity for O'Malley to respond.

Not bad for a guy who can't play the guitar.

Blair Lee is president of the Lee Development Group in Silver Spring and a regular commentator for WBAL radio. His column appears Fridays in The Gazette. His e-mail address is blair@leedg.com.

Copyright © 2005 The Gazette"

Yahoo! News - Former NAACP Kweisi Mfume Leader to Run for Senate

2005-03-14T12:32:00.000-05:00

Yahoo! News - Former NAACP Leader to Run for Senate: "Former NAACP Leader to Run for Senate

By GRETCHEN PARKER, Associated Press Writer
BALTIMORE - Former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume announced Monday that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2006.

"It is with great pride and deep humility that I announce to you today my candidacy for the Senate of the United States," Mfume said at a news conference in Baltimore.

"I can't be bought. I won't be intimidated. I don't know how to quit," Mfume said as his supporters applauded.

Mfume, who was a five-term U.S. congressman before becoming president of the Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (news - web sites), issued the statement after incumbent Paul Sarbanes announced Friday that he will not run for re-election.

"This is step one in what will be an embarrassment of wealth for the Democratic Party in 2006," said Derek Walker, spokesman for the Maryland Democratic Party.

Mfume, 56, left the House in 1996 to take the NAACP post.

At the time, the civil rights group was in turmoil — rocked by an embarrassing sex scandal involving its previous head, bitter internal strife and a crippling $3.2 million deficit.

Many observers say Mfume brought credibility and stability, working to institute corporate style-management practices. When he stepped down in November, the organization had enjoyed a budget surplus for eight consecutive years and an increasing endowment fund.

Mfume, whose adopted West African name translates to "conquering son of kings," began his career as a dashiki-clad radio talk show host and political activist in the 1970s.

He also has been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for governor of Maryland.

Sarbanes, 72, announced Friday that he would not seek a sixth term, noting that he would be 80 by the time that term ended.

"It was just the right time," Sarbanes said. "We think we've served long and well and honorably, and we're very comfortable with this decision."

Maryland traditionally votes Democratic, and went for John Kerry (news - web sites) in the 2004 presidential election. Sarbanes, the longest serving senator in Maryland's history, is serving alongside outspoken Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski (news, bio, voting record).

Four of Maryland's six Democratic congressmen, Ben Cardin, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Chris Van Hollen and Al Wynn, said when Sarbanes announced his retirement that they were considering running for his seat."

Washington Jewish Week: Ehrlich Backs Deadly Experiments With Human Fetuses

2005-03-11T14:14:00.000-05:00

Washington Jewish Week Online Edition: "Ehrlich indicates stem cell backing

Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R) said Monday evening that his position on stem cell research "is close to the Jewish community," perhaps indicating support for legislation authorizing and funding such research in Maryland.

Ehrlich made the remarks in an interview at the Maryland Jewish Alliance's annual legislative reception in Annapolis, where he briefly spoke to the 130 Jewish activists from the Washington and Baltimore areas.

Ehrlich has not formally taken a position on the legislation, which would provide $25 million a year to fund such research in Maryland out of the state's Cigarette Restitution Fund.

The bill is a top priority for the Maryland Jewish Alliance, a coalition of Washington and Baltimore's federation and community relations councils.

In his formal comments, Ehrlich steered clear of controversial issues, praising the state's economy and low unemployment rate of 3.9 percent and noting positive developments in the Middle East. He also voiced support for a $639,000 allocation from the state's capital budget for a new Jewish Social Service Agency facility in upper Montgomery County.

In the WJW interview, the governor seemed favorably inclined toward another alliance priority: legislation to bar insurance companies from denying coverage based on past travel to Israel or other countries on the State Department travel advisory list.

The insurance legislation passed a House committee last week; a Senate hearing is scheduled tomorrow.

Among other concerns MJA representatives voiced during Monday's lobby visits to state delegates and senators were eliminating cuts to senior housing and nutrition proposed in the governor's budget, as well as restoring $12 million the state plans to take out of Medicaid's long-term care program. The Medicaid cut could reduce Hebrew Home of Greater Washington funding by as much as $1 million, according to a Hebrew Home official.

Meanwhile, Ehrlich was scheduled to welcome representatives of five Israeli homeland security companies to Maryland Tuesday evening as part of the Maryland/Israel Development Center's MarketReach America business development program. The weeklong conference provides business development training and consulting to Israeli high-tech entrepreneurs seeking to enter the U.S. market. -- Eric Fingerhut"

Sarbanes to Forgo Another Senate Term (washingtonpost.com)

2005-03-11T14:07:00.000-05:00

Sarbanes to Forgo Another Senate Term (washingtonpost.com) "Sarbanes to Forgo Another Senate Term

By Spencer Hsu and John Wagner
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, March 11, 2005; 1:36 PM
Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes announced today that he will not seek another term in the Senate, ending a 34-year congressional career in which the liberal Maryland Democrat played a role in crises ranging from the Watergate impeachment proceedings to the corporate accounting scandals earlier this decade.

Sarbanes, 72, who is serving his 29th year in the Senate, is the state's longest serving U.S. senator. He will retire after his sixth term ends in January 2007. He is the senior Democrat on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and the chairman of Maryland's 10-member congressional delegation.

His departure signals the unofficial start of a wide-open season in Maryland politics to succeed him, a race that could also have ramifications on next year's governor's race.

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D) and Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), both of whom have been angling to run for governor in 2006, now have another option available to them.

The race is also expected to appeal to congressmen Albert Wynn and Chris Van Hollen, whose ambitions for higher office are widely known, and Kweisi Mfume, a former congressman who recently stepped down from the presidency of the NAACP in January.

"You can expect a crowded Democratic primary," said James Gimpel, a political science professor at the University of Maryland. "You could have five candidates."

Gimpel said the seat is attractive to Democrats because it is so safe in a state where they outnumber registered Republicans roughly 2-to1.

"Once you win this election, the seat is pretty secure," he said. "It requires significant scandal to a move a Democrat out."

Even so, Republicans, heartened by Ehrlich's gubernatorial victory in 2002, are likely to field credible candidates as well, Gimpel said.

The open Senate seat could create a dilemma for Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele (R), who is widely considered one of the party's rising stars. His running mate, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), who is up for reelection in 2006, has touted Steele as a successor in 2010. State Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's), who ran unsuccessfully against Sen. Barbara Mikulski last fall, said he will also take a look at the 2006 race -- but not until after the legislative session ends next month.

Sarbanes first won his Senate seat in 1976, defeating incumbent Sen. Glenn Beall (R). He previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Among his major accomplishments, the Salisbury native co-authored the corporate governance restructuring legislation known as the Sarbanes-Oxley reforms, which passed in 2002. A vocal critic of Republican economic and monetary policies that he said harmed the poor, Sarbanes also became a trusted behind-the-scenes adviser to a series of Senate Democratic leaders.

He also served on the Senate Foreign Relations, Budget and Joint Economic committees.

The son of a Greek immigrant raised in his father's restaurant, Sarbanes's biography came out of central casting. He attended Princeton University on academic and football scholarships, earned a Rhodes Scholarship that took him to Oxford, then earned a Harvard law degree

He served from 1967 through 1970 in the Maryland House of Delegates as a representative from Baltimore County, and from 1971 to 1976 in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he introduced the first article of impeachment against President Richard Nixon as a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

In the Senate he frequently sparred with Federal Reserve Board leaders over monetary policy, although he never owned a stock or bond until he invested recently in a retirement mutual fund. Sarbanes is one of the least wealthy senators, reporting only the house he and his wife of 44 years, the former Christine Dunbar, have lived in for decades, and pension and personal banking accounts.

Sarbanes associates said the senator's health is fine and dismissed questions about his medical history. Sarbanes underwent successful surgery in December 2003 to remove a benign tumor on his salivary gland, his office said. An earlier operation was cancelled and led to complications after an allergic reaction to medical dye, intimates of the senator had said.

Sarbanes, a lawyer, is the father of three children and six grandchildren.

Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) called Sarbanes's decision a "truly great loss for Maryland and the nation." "His impact on the quality of life of this state was tremendous and will sorely be missed."

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Calvert) said Sarbanes attracted attention while in the House of Representatives during the Watergate hearings and "sparkled" in the Senate.

"I'm confident that the Democratic Party is going to find a person able and interested to fill that spot," Miller said.

Staff writers Matthew Mosk, Mike Allen and Chuck Babington contributed to this report."