I'll take two.

There are 6 months before the primary, not 7.

Signs don't usually mean that much to the overall equation of who's going to ultimately win a political campaign.

But in this case, a blizzard of green O'Malley signs in Montgomery County could have a devestating and demoralizing psychological effect on Duncan and his campaign staff.

And if the only solution for Duncan's campaign is to compete head-on with the O'Malley signs to alleviate Duncan's anguish, this will sap Duncan's already paltry campaign bank account even further and will cement the inevitability of an O'Malley victory.

Therefore, Peter O'Malley, the brother of O'Malley and the go-to guy in Montgomery County will likely be the cause of quite a few stomache aches and nausea at Duncan campaign headquarters.

We're now in the home stretch of Duncan's fading political career.

Duncan has been focusing on education, but maybe he needs to remind voters that he's the only person running for governor who is against slot machines. I live in Prince George's--and good schools and no slots trump the handsome rock star any day.

I've got one of the green bumper stickers and there are anything but beautiful... I'll still take a few signs

All of these posts lead me to believe that Duncan is in real trouble in his own back yard, Montgomery County.

Why is this the case, has he been a bad County Executive for Mo. Co.?

Has anybody looked at the history of the Rockville mall? Maybe it would be a good comparison to look at Duncan's time as Mayor of Rockville? I remember the lose of the old twon feel of Rockville and the building of the white elephant Rockville mall? At a loss of a lot of money it was eventually torn down. What was Duncan's role in this?

Duncan thinks he can take Montgomery County's voters for granted. But the only people posting his signs will be his developer friends. Would Duncan even win re-election for county executive?

Wow what political naivete comparing yard signs to a victory as if Duncan won't be putting yard signs up in Baltimore??? Don't let pieces of plastic sway your vote to a man who has a real record to stand on!I think that when someone casts their vote on election day its really for the person who is committed to providing real change; to making a better Maryland. My vote once again will be for Doug Duncan.

I've been looking back at the record of Doug Duncan and it seems he's been awfully chummy with a lot of fat cat developers.

What's really interesting is that even with his lock step support of anything that his developer friends want in Montgomery County (aka the Clarksburg fiasco), they still haven't ponied up enough money for his campaign.

This has got to make Duncan and his campaign staff absolutely livid.

I can just imagine the yelling and screaming that is going on over at Duncan campaign headquarters . . . "dammit, we've given you developers everything you ever wanted in Montgomery County, give me some damn campaign cash or else I'll lose."

This really cracks me up.

Duncan hasn't been bad for Montgomery County but Maryland isn't MoCo, nor is it Baltimore. That said, when the choice is between to good Democrats, people look at what they did with what they had. MoCo has been one of the richest counties in the nation and not much has changed except there is a big, modernist arts center off Rockville Pike and crowded chain restaraunts in Silver Spring. MoCo is still a nice place to live with good schools, unless you happen to live in the Kennedy/Wheaton/Springbrook side of the county.

Baltimore is a major city with all the problems of major cities. But crime has gone down, schools have improved, people are moving back, and jobs are returning. O'Malley turned an off-suit inside straight hand into a winner. Duncan's had pocket queens handed to him and didn't make much more out of it.

Yard signs don't win elections. And either do O'Malley operatives posting on a Washington Post blog.

Hmm, I was just reading the responses and it sounds like '2Tums..' and 'IsDuncan.." is the same person? There is a heck of alot about Duncan campaign staff.. Are you personally involved with the Duncan Staff "2 Tumes/Is Duncan..."???

I think you should come forth and unmask yourself! And really as I have said before, I am MoCo resident I have seen Silver Spring transform before my very own eyes. This is a great community to live in and it makes me proud to support Doug. I lived through the almost paralyzing fear of the Snipers and needing someone strong to take control of the situation.. Doug did all of this... These are really the important issues. True leadership, commitment to a better, stronger community..

I just truly believe in it and I want to tell people all about it!

No, I don't work on the O'Malley or Duncan campaigns, but I do watch these kinds of races with a keen eye to who is up or who is down.

Duncan looks like a loser to me and I don't think you can convince many people that this isn't the case.

Onto the issue of the signs, I agree, they won't win O'Malley the campaign, but they will certainly have a devestating effect on the psychology within Duncan campaign headquarters.

Most of Duncan's staff already knows that they've lost this campaign and they're probably already sending out their resumes to get new jobs in September.

One last word -- O'Malley will plaster Montgomery County with campaign signs, but the same won't be true of Duncan in Baltimore because Duncan has no operation to speak of in Baltimore.

Case closed.

Aside from Duncan not being able to raise campaign cash, he still has picked someone to be his Lt. Gov.

Why?

I'll tell you why . . .

Everyone "Developer Doug" has approached has declined.

The writing is on the wall.

I'm putting my Kerry Edwards signs back up.

The Montgomery County Government website is down. Any political significance? Anyone know why the government website is down?

I can't believe that people are blogging about O'Malley yard signs in "Duncan's Backyard." Why don't you spend your time on the real issue here...which is to get Ehrlich OUT of Maryland for good. Dems should be more concerned about Ehrlich's fodder cropping up in ANY county here in MD! (By the way O'Malley...great campaign color...blends in great with the grass).

Fighting Dem, people are blogging about Duncan because in spite of the writing on the wall that Duncan will lose this campaign, he has the nerve to continue to stay in the race.

For the next six months, Duncan will continue his nasty attacks and will continue to gain no traction in his campaign against O'Malley.

The 6 foot 8 and 400 pound Duncan will continue to kick and scream, cry and moan, but he will lose.

Meanwhile, a sea of green O'Malley signs in Montgomery County will drive Duncan and his campaign absolutely nuts.

At Duncan campaign headquarters, there will be no shortage of screaming, yelling and chairs being thrown against the wall . . . this will be the reality at Duncan headquartes for the next six months, all for nothing.

And yes, my house is in Rockville -- Duncan and his staff will have to drive past my house to and from work every day --please send me 2 O'Malley signs -- I want Developer Doug to think about my green O'Malley signs every day for the next 6 months.

Also, I will have video surveillance equipment installed to closely monitor my green O'Malley signs -- if Duncan or his staff try to take the signs down, I will have video.

I haven't decided on either one yet, but so far what I see is one guy (Duncan) with an open book and putting his record out for anyone to look at and O'Malley not doing the same.

Look, is Baltimore different from Montgomery County? Sure. But a leader takes what he's got and makes improvements, not excuses. O'Malley concerns me in that he always seems to have an excuse or blames someone else. Every rally of his I've been to, he never seems to offer substanative solutions.

If this is the best he can do, and we as a Party nominate him without a lot more substance, because his campaign claims him as the annointed one, them Ehrlich will dance back into the Governor's office.

Let's also remember history. The last time we held a coronation, we got Ehrlich. The person who was urged to step aside for the "good of the Party?"

Doug Duncan.

...and nope, I don't live there. Moved away in 1967.

I've stayed out of this so far, but now I have to jump in. John, can you be more dishonest - "I haven't decided on either one yet, but...". What a complete load - you're using all of Duncan's talking points right off of his website. Really, its a "coronation".

Just because Duncan is saying that O'Malley is hiding stuff doesn't make it so. The progress in Baltimore is obvious to anyone who would bother to go there and take a look. Maybe you should take a trip back, since you haven't lived here since 1967.

Maybe you would also notice that with a budget bigger than 4 states, life in Montgomery County is status quo, except for the incredible increase in traffic, out of control property taxes, and the occassional gang war in Wheaton, that it takes Duncan's police force weeks to report on in fear of making him look bad. Talk about a coronation.

Oh and one more thing, speaking of open and honest dialogue, disclosure of records, and excuses - Why not ask Mr. Duncan why is it that he blames the rising gang violence and violent crime in Montgomery County on the sniper.

I guess not living here since 1967, means do don't actually get to hear Dougie blame the fact that violent crime in Montgomery County has gone every year for the last 8 years on the sniper's shooting spree in 2002.

If you are Duncan supporter, fine, but admit it, don't hide behind "I haven't decided" BS.

As far as I am concerned - I am a homeowner in Germantown, very activity in Montgomery County politics, and an absolute, unabashed, unapologetic supporter of Martin O'Malley, and I am not alone.

Developer Doug, I believe that you may be making the biggest mistake by underestimating Doug Duncan. Us Dems made that mistake with Monkey Boy (GW)...not once, but TWICE. Look at every branch of government...and what color is it? RED. And if the best attack that you have is against the man's weight! Then I must tell you, you have a pretty weak argument. The Duncan campaign must be relieved after reading comments like yours that the only thing they have to worry about...is gossip concerning yard signs and Doug Duncan's waistline! Puhleeze, give me a break. Each candidate have their pros and cons, that is a given, but I believe that this is a waste of time "chatting" about yard signs, and weight..not to mention embarrassing...when the real "enemy" is the bozo that Marylanders elected into office because the Dems did not get off their butts and vote! Each Dem that is running is leading over Ehrlich anyway, and I take comfort in that...perhaps you should too. And I stand by my earlier comment...the O'Malley signs blend in with the grass, and I hope that does not come to signify what will happen with the O'Malley campaign.

KR:

How about getting O'Malley to come speak to our school? Oh, that's right, you recently told a school friend, "He's a really busy guy, and besides, you're not old enough to vote."

Guess few of our students are going to be helping you put up your yard signs this weekend.

Duncan is for real. O'Malley is a show horse. And teens see people for who they realy are.

High school dem,

In typical Duncan fashion, you take comments completely out of context, and since, as you say, I never made the comment to you, you can't be sure of what I said.

The campaign has been trying to accomodating every speaking request to the best that they can. Mr. O'Malley has or will be in Montgomery County 5 times this month, and plans to be here plenty more.

Since you think you know who I am, contact me, and I will make a request for you, since you don't seem to be able to do it yourself, to have either Martin O'Malley or Anthony Brown come and speak to at your school.

Here's the truth about what's going on over at Duncan campaign headquarters.

1. Two meetings of the entire campaign staff have already taken place to discuss what to do about the overwhelming sentiment against Duncan on the Washington Post blog.

2. Separate meetings (that lasted for several hours yesterday and today) have been held to discuss what to do about Peter O'Malley's extensive and well organized sign operation in Montgomery County -- privately, in conversations between senior staff of the Duncan campaign, one staffer has told the other that O'Malley appears to be a lot stronger in Montgomery County than anyone anticipated.

3. Duncan has broken his third chair in the office today (the first two chairs were broken during a violent Duncan rant about why he can't raise any campaign cash even though he's give the fat cat developers everything they wanted in Montgomery County; the third chair was broken when Duncan simply sat down and the chair legs gave out.

End result? Another bad day for the Duncan campaign.

This is the sound that O'Malley will most likely encounter in Montgomery County...cue Crickets. Developer Doug - you have way too much time on your hands. By the way, how much is O'Malley paying you to put up yard signs? In fact, since you are so "video savvy" maybe you can post a link of a video with you placing signs around Montgomery County. Just becareful though! You don't want to turn into roadkill. Again...green on green...not very visible...compared to Duncan's sun bright yellow...a KNOCK OUT. And can we put the yard sign blog to rest now? I'd like to talk about how all of us Dems are going to squash Ehrlich like a bug. Thanks.

First we crush Duncan in the primary, then we crush Ehrlich in the general.

Grab some tissues and give them to Duncan because he'll be crying throughout this campaign.

You sound so angry, KR and DD. I guess you haven't been to Silver Spring to see how Duncan's efforts turned a blighted community with downwardly spiraling property values into a vibrant, exciting rejuvenated area. Duncan brought the American Film Institute. Duncan brought Discovery Communications. Peoples' homes are worth something again; over 3000 residential units are in the pipeline and people are flocking to live here. And let's not forget that both Silver Spring and all of Montgomery County are diverse communities with populations having greater needs than in decades past. We may have a strong tax base, but greater demands are being placed upon the budget for social services. Montgomery County has more people in the ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages] program than the rest of the state combined.

I have every confidence that substance will triumph over flash. In 2002, we Dems told Duncan he couldn't beat Townsend, so he stepped aside. And look what happened. Let's not make the same mistake again. The last thing we need to go up against Empty-suit Ehrlich is Empty-suit O'Malley. And besides, I think Doug is cute, too. Have you ever checked out those baby blues?

I just noticed that someone dropped of my yard sign this morning. GO O'Malley!

I sure hope that the jock bravado tone of the O'Malley supporters on this blog is not representative of the majority in O'Malley's camp. If I close my eyes, I could swear I'm hearing Ehrlich and his henchmen - or Bush/Cheney/Rove, for that matter. It is hypocritical of O'Malley supporters to blast Duncan for criticizing O'Malley's record, while they turn around and rip apart Duncan, usually in mean personal attacks.

Those of us who support Duncan do so because we think he has been an excellent executive and will make a great governor. But regardless of whether you support Duncan or O'Malley, we should all be talking about why two of our best Democratics are fighting for this nomination--because we need to get rid of Ehrlich and get the state back on track. For us, this is the governor's race.

Developer D –

I'm going to stray away from the same immature, personal attacks and vitriol that you are so fond of spewing on this comment page. If you can't handle Doug Duncan accurately comparing his own record to that of Mayor Martin O'Malley’s, then just imagine what the Governor is going to do when he has 10 - 15 million dollars at his disposal and Mayor O'Malley's record to highlight. Both Democratic Candidates are asking voters for a promotion and they must show that such additional responsibility is warranted.

This leads to the question of accountability, competency and trustworthiness. While you speak in vague generalities about Duncan and “fat cat developers”, the Mayor has had real substantial questions about his character raised that lead me to ask “Is this man ready to be Governor and if so, what has he done to deserve it?”

Below are some of the many controversies swirling in his administration that many feel he has not dealt with or answered. Again, these examples raise real questions about the Mayor's ability to run a government competently and effectively.

1. A student led walkout and protest over the long brewing lack of funding and resources that many students feel have left their schools in a state of neglect and their future up in the air.

2. An independent WBAL and Baltimore Sun investigation that found crime is being underreported and in some cases not reported at all - this includes personal accounts from two former Baltimore City Police Commissioners, numerous police officers, and the victims of the crime.

3. There have been calls for an independent audit from members of Mayor O'Malley's own city council, as well as State Delegates from Baltimore to give credence to the notion that this is a legitimate concern that needs to be dealt with. The Mayor has been spotty on where he stands, except to call all of this politically motivated, which I think the victims of the “invisible crime” and the independent news reporters who broke the story would find disingenuous.

The most interesting aspect of all of this is that when the Martin O’Malley ran for mayor, he called for an independent audit of crime statistics. This led to a readjustment of the crime numbers. Now despite all this controversy and numerous calls for it, he is saying that another audit isn’t necessary.

5. The Mayor PROMISED to reduce homicide in Baltimore to 175 murders a year. Thus far he has not come close to reducing murder to anywhere near that mark.

5. Lastly there is the most recent story out of Baltimore – that the City Council President and the City Comptroller were employing personal friends on the city payroll without city contracts.

If this is all leadership that works, I would hate to see leadership that doesn’t.

So keep on complaining about the ICC which both O’Malley and Duncan support, or the amount of development in Montgomery County, when Duncan has in the course of his administration preserved more open space then any other County in the nation.

And keep on saying a trained monkey can run the most populous county with the most diverse school system in the state. Keep beating the drum every time someone challenges the claims that Martin O’Malley has made about his record and the whining every time someone asks the tough questions that need asking when someone is running for Governor. And keep on making personal attacks about Doug’s weight and those that work for him. Keep holding your nose high and belittling anyone who strays away from the false hopes you have placed in the Mayor of Baltimore. Keep on ranting and raving and hating from now till September 12th.

The Baltimore Sun has a history of running some really tough investigative pieces about its polticians dating back to the Schaefer era.

On the other hand, with the exception of Richard Nixon and Watergate, The Washington Post has a history of giving mostly a pass to Montgomery County politicians, especially Developer Doug.

Voters are going to be faced with judging which of the gubernatorial candidates were able to do more with the resources that they have -- on that score, O'Malley wins hands down because he was able to do more with less.

Also, real estate values all over the Washington area have skyrocketed -- is that because the polticians who represent these areas have done such a marvelous job governing? . . . I don't think so. You're Silver Spring argument fails.

Since you work on Developer Doug's campaign, you know full well that the Montgomery County miracle message just doesn't resonate with voters outside of Montgomery County.

Therefore, advantage O'Malley -- get used to it, your guy is going to lose and you better polish off your resume for your job search.

I've been watching this debate unfold and it seems to me that these Duncan supporters give way too much credit to Duncan for the revitalization of Silver Spring and economic success in luxurious Montgomery County.

Here's why:

Silver Spring real estate is worth a lot of money because of two main reasons -- proximity to Washington, D.C., where many people work, and the fact that Silver Spring has a metro station -- correct me if I'm wrong, but Duncan had absolutely nothing to do with either Silver Spring being located near Washington, D.C. and he had nothing to do with the plan to build a metro rail station in Silver Spring.

For the above reasons and more, that's why Duncan will lose in September to O'Malley --- Because the entire case that Duncan's campaign is that he did great things for Silver Spring -- this comes across as a joke to ANYONE who lives outside of Montgomery County. In fact, I hear a lot Mo. Co. residents also think it's a funny argument.

Duncan would have a better chance running statewide as dog catcher than for governor.

That's my take.

I think Double D and Dog Man have secret Duncan envy! Look. By your very own arguments about Doug not deserved of any type of credit in regard to Silver Spring...just does not hold water. Your argument could be applied to O'Malley...simply because he is the Mayor does not associate him with any type of progress (or lack thereof) in Baltimore. What kind of argument is that? Weak.

Reading "The Truth's" blog seems to me that she or he specifically addressed serious concerns about O'Malley. Whereas your blogs seem to just whine and read of personal attacks with a strong dislike.

Each man, as I had stated earlier, has their pros and cons. If Doug had stood in the way of developing Silver Spring, I am sure you argument would be one of, "Doug doesn't stand for progress." By both of your arguments, you sound extremely hypocritical. And I would ask the two of you, (or perhaps you are the same person), if you have applied the same litmus test to O'Malley?

Reading about O'Malley, he seems to be all over the page on issues, and his campaign, to me, seems to be all over the place on what is going on in Maryland. What is the focus of his campaign? I still don't know O'Malleys message. Duncan, in my opinion, has a strong campaign message, and this is education. Also,have you compared their voting records and public comments on issues? Many people make the blanket statement that there is very little difference in regard to their stance on issues, with the exception that Duncan is steadfastly opposed to slots, while O'Malley favors them. But, in my research, Doug Duncan has a stronger record on the issues that I hold near and dear to my heart as a Fighting Democrat.

I have met both men. And in my opinion, Doug Duncan, was extremely personable, and actually took TIME to speak to me, and to LISTEN to me and my concerns. Martin O'Malley, simply put, gave me the brush off, and told me he was on a tight schedule and could not hear me out, but that I could write him a letter, and go to his campaign website. Now, I am sure BOTH candidates are on extreme time constraints. Yet, BOTH, had staff swarming about them, politely urging each man with a gesture that it was time to go. Mr. Duncan stayed to listen to me. Mr. O'Malley did not. This to me, is a demonstration, on how each man would treat Marylanders.

After reading this blog, and reading news articles, I believe Mr. Duncan, will be a Fighting Dem for all Marylanders. In fact, looking at his website, he has returned all campaign money to BG&E and their cohorts, whereas, O'Malley, and Ehrlich have not. So, once again, your argument, that colors your blog that Doug leans to special interests, just does not hold water.

And to be fair to O'Malley, he has a great petition to send to the Public Service Commission to replace Ehrlich's crony. That is great. But where is his response to the campaign money? This makes O'Malley appear to be in the same ilk of Ehrlich.

It's been great reading the blogs.

Good luck.

You say I'm the same person as Developer Doug, that's absurd. But you appear to work as a staffer or volunteer for Doug while I have no role with the O'Malley campaign.

You also say that Duncan's message is education but yet all I hear from his campaign is look at Silver Spring -- I guess the Silver Spring message is really about education, right? -- come now.

Once again, :D you're logic doesn't hold Dog Catcher. I could make the same blanket statement about you. Sorry to disappoint you, I am neither a "staffer," nor a volunteer. But thank you for the compliment :) (Though I am sure that was not your intent).

And I apologize for SUGGESTING not STATING that you are perhaps the same and one person as Double D. Your blogs are just so uncannily alike! ;P

I made the legitimate statement about Doug Duncan's "Education Message." Doug Duncan states this on his website. As I stated earlier, this message is also reinforced in nearly every article that I read.

Might I also add, that in the Post, Doug Duncan stated that he would be, Maryland's "Pro-Choice" Governor. As a woman, that has, with a high percentage ensured my vote for Mr. Duncan. Mr. O'Malley in a public "meet and greet" type event; when asked about his position in regard to a woman's reproductive freedom, answered brusquely, "I'm pro-choice. Next question." As a woman, this type of answer was highly offensive, and gave me the IMPRESSION that Mr. O'Malley did not care to elaborate on his stance/point-of-view, etc. to an issue that Republicans have made highly volatile in today's political climate (the jerks). This is a question that deserves more than a bolted statment, that can be compared to you stating, "I'm Duncan4DogCatcher. Next question."

Once again, when the question was asked of Doug Duncan at a "Montgomery Matters" event that I attended, Mr. Duncan took a pause, and thoughtfully answered the question with great sensitivity and once again, I know I have used this description before, but with a steadfast answer. I've also noticed that the Duncan for Governor website has a "Women for Doug" posted, and a statement about women's rights. Where is this on O'Malley's website? Non-existent.

Again, I believe that this is the manner in which each candidate considers the position of Governor, and how they will lead in that role.

As for Silver Spring, I will admit that I have only moved here four years ago. What was Silver Spring like before it was "developed?" And I noticed that you did not state or comment on O'Malley's campaign message. What IS HIS MESSAGE?

Believe me Dog Catcher, I am glad O'Malley, is a Dem. I just, at this time, do not have confidence that he is, or will be...a Fighting Dem.

Fighting Dem, I recommend you check the record on Developer Doug regarding his stance on abortion.

If you dig deep enough into his past news clips, you'll find that Developer Doug took some pretty pro-life viewpoints in the not so distant past. Looks like he's pulled a fast one on you regarding the "I'm Pro-Choice" stance.

The record is there and you'll probably be disapointed in what you find out about Developer Doug -- check it out.

Amen, High school dem.

Duncan made us a priority. O'Malley made us an obligation. We won't forget it!

It seems rather obvious that O'Malley will get by Duncan in the primary barring something unforseen. Now, the Mayor said publicly at a press conference which he himself called that "i have always been faithful to my wife from our first date to this date." The question is will the media investigate the truth of this unqualified and absolute denial made by O'Malley publicly in front of a bank of tv cameras. If it can be shown that he lied to the public about this, then his campaign could fall like a house of cards. Some aggressive reporter needs to get to the bottom of this soon if Duncan is to have any chance of winning.

http://www.mdpoliticsnow.com/?p=82

Uh oh Martin O'Malley!