Duncan On Schaefer
Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan found himself in the awkward position last week of criticizing the behavior of a man who has delivered one of the most high-profile endorsements of his gubernatorial bid: Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer .
Schaefer (D), of course, has drawn fire for his recent ogling of a 24-year-old aide to Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R).
Duncan (D) was asked about the episode--twice--while appearing before a labor group in Salisbury.
One union member wanted to know if Duncan would fire Schaefer if elected governor (since Schaefer is elected, the governor doesn't have that power).
Another member of the audience said that if any other state employee had behaved that way, he'd be fired.
Duncan noted that he had grown up in a family with seven sisters and made no attempt to defend the behavior of the former governor and mayor of Baltimore.
"What Gov. Schaefer did was wrong. It was unacceptable," Duncan said. "He should not have done that."
John Wagner
By Phyllis Jordan |
February 25, 2006; 10:28 AM ET
| Category:
Governor
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Posted by: Mike | February 25, 2006 11:39 AM
Tpugh spot for Duncan.
Mike--there is another candidate who is running for Comptroller. Delegate Peter Franchot announced in November, and managed to raise $300k in 5 weeks before the filing deadline.
Obviously, a lot of people were ready to get rid of Schaefer even before this latest incident.
Posted by: MD voter | February 25, 2006 11:48 AM
Duncan should not worry about Schaefer. His support for Duncan is only because of his hate for O'Malley. Schaefer and his cronies are going to support Erlich in the general election. Sure Schaefer will give some lip service but the money and machine support he controls will go to Erlich.
Posted by: Luther | February 26, 2006 11:13 AM
After watching the TV tape of the Comptroller's action and the young woman's obvious discomfortant and embarassment, I think County Executive Duncun should have spoken out sooner and stronger. That really is an awful way to treat a young state worker and old age and political clout is just no excuse. Schaffer's actions brought her unfair and unwanted attention and damaged a little of her professional confidence and fun. Dirty old men have been doing that stuff forever, and Duncun should say its just unacceptable. With friends like leering Schaffer, who needs enemies?
Posted by: s | February 27, 2006 11:23 AM
Schaefer been around way to long, and maybe even longer.... IF he wasn't Caught on Tape. Just open the door,and if we're lucky, maybe he'll LEAVE....
Posted by: Metro Mike | February 27, 2006 11:32 AM
What do we know about Del. Franchot? I looked him up this morning and he looked like a strong candidate to replace Schaefer.
Posted by: Trupti | March 1, 2006 12:28 PM
A link to Franchot: http://www.franchot.com/
Posted by: Phyllis Jordan | March 1, 2006 3:36 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Schaefer is a total embarrassment to himself and to the state. The video from the day of that now-infamous incident shows a parade of missteps and poor judgment. This man clearly has no place in public life, and it's time for him to step aside.
If the powers that be in the Democratic Party (are there powers that be in the Democratic Party?) are interested in avoiding future embarrassment, they should work to convince Schaefer to retire and then run another candidate in his place. Perhaps a certain Montgomery County executive?