Simms in for AG; Repub Men love Donald
The Post announces, in an article titled Democrat Schaefer Draws Favor of GOP Voters, that Simms is in the race for AG. The Post sums up his qualifications:
If I recall correctly, Simms was in charge of the Department of Juvenile Justice when the big boot camp scandal unfolded. So, there should be some fodder there for Gansler or Perez, I would think. Also Simms is jumping in so late, you have to wonder if his heart is really in it, having not gotten his job of choice. And then there's the money, of which Simms has none and Gansler has a lot.
On the other hand, and there IS always an other hand, I think there's plenty of interest in the Baltimore/Central Maryland legal community to have a Baltimore Attorney General. So money may be coming. And Simms is African-American. I don't know about O'Malley's relationship with Simms, Gansler, or Perez, but by promoting Simms, O'Malley could very well pick up some credibility in the African American community and heal some of the wounds of the now-disappointed Duncan supporters. That's my view from well outside, at least for today.
What's that? You want to know about the Schaefer poll? Well, turns out that:
So, if someone is going to stop him, it will have to be in the primary. Can Franchot or Owens do it? Or will they just split the anti-Schaeffer vote? Time will tell, but there's an opening here for a real Democrat to take this position.
Cross-posted at Free State Comment
Simms is a Harvard-educated, African American lawyer who served as Baltimore state's attorney. Under former governor Parris N. Glendening (D), he was secretary of juvenile justice and of public safety and correctional services. But he was not well-known outside Baltimore until Duncan tapped him as his running mate in April..
If I recall correctly, Simms was in charge of the Department of Juvenile Justice when the big boot camp scandal unfolded. So, there should be some fodder there for Gansler or Perez, I would think. Also Simms is jumping in so late, you have to wonder if his heart is really in it, having not gotten his job of choice. And then there's the money, of which Simms has none and Gansler has a lot.
On the other hand, and there IS always an other hand, I think there's plenty of interest in the Baltimore/Central Maryland legal community to have a Baltimore Attorney General. So money may be coming. And Simms is African-American. I don't know about O'Malley's relationship with Simms, Gansler, or Perez, but by promoting Simms, O'Malley could very well pick up some credibility in the African American community and heal some of the wounds of the now-disappointed Duncan supporters. That's my view from well outside, at least for today.
What's that? You want to know about the Schaefer poll? Well, turns out that:
Chicks Don't Dig Donald.
Back to Democrat Schaefer Draws Favor of GOP Voters:Overall: 50% favorable, 34% unfavorable
Women: 43% favorable, 41% unfavorable
Men: 2 to 1 pro-Schaeffer (no numbers, sorry)
Repubs: 53% positive
Dems: 49% postitive
So, if someone is going to stop him, it will have to be in the primary. Can Franchot or Owens do it? Or will they just split the anti-Schaeffer vote? Time will tell, but there's an opening here for a real Democrat to take this position.
Cross-posted at Free State Comment
posted by Chesapeake Blue at 3:06 PM
3 Comments:
Was Simms prepping for an AG or other run before he hooked up with Duncan? I ask because Anthony Brown was and was considered rising, but for those of us not from Baltimore, Simms was kind of a surprise. I'm just wondering how serious a contender Simms will be.
I heard Simms' name bruited about wistfully several times as someone who "should" run for AG, instead of Lt. Governor. That doesn't mean much, except that I think he has been thought of in some circles as a potential AG candidate.
But he still could come across as a johnny-come-lately. That would be easier to pin on him, though, if the public had been paying attention already.
Why only 6k? I thought that since Simms was part of the ticket, the Duncan/Simms cmapaign account can just become the Simms campaign account.
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