Duncan's Fighting Words

Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan's latest ad looks a lot like his first five, featuring the county exec and cardboard cutouts of his opponents in the governor's race.

This 15-second spot, which begins airing this week on Baltimore television stations, portrays Duncan as the adult in the crown and his opponents--Democratic Mayor Martin O'Malley and Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) - as preoccupied with fighting with the other.

"We need less fighting and more results," he says, "because this campaign for governor should be about you, not them."

The ad is a subtle reference to the spat between Ehrlich and O'Malley over the state's failed effort to seize control of 11 public schools in Baltimore.

Hari Sevugan, an O'Malley spokesman, said the mayor has a record of bringing "neighbors together to make incredible progress against the toughest challenges in Baltimore."

Ann E. Marimow