Exceptionally inept attacking

The Washington Post reports that Montgomery County, Md., state legislator Peter Franchot, a Democrat, has announced his intention to run for state comptroller next year.

That is undeniably an ambitious undertaking even though the incumbent comptroller is 84 years old.

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For William Donald Schaefer is a widely revered institution in Maryland politics. He is undefeated – four times as mayor of Baltimore, twice as governor of Maryland and twice as comptroller.

Delegate Franchot's announcement of candidacy included a denunciation of one of the greatest vote-getters in Maryland history.

"Don't be fooled by a wolf in sheep's clothing," announced Franchot.

What political brilliance! Is there anyone else in all of Maryland who would actually accuse Schaefer of ever, ever donning sheep's clothing? And do most Maryland voters, huge majorities of whom have voted for Schaefer, appreciate their choice being described by this state legislator as a wild animal?

That candidate Franchot may have had instant second thoughts about this "wolf" opener seems apparent in his subsequent description of Schaefer as: "The Babe Ruth of Maryland politics – but even Babe Ruth retired."

Then Mr. Franchot went on to say: "I know I'm the underdog, but I also know this is winnable."

The Post reported that he said this "after greeting the nearly 50 people who came to support his announcement."

Franchot urged voters to elect what he called "a real Democrat, not a Bush-endorsing, Clinton-bashing, Ehrlich-supporting Republican like William Donald Schaefer."

Which of course raises the question: Do the majority of Maryland voters approve of Bill Clinton and disapprove of Bob Ehrlich?