With the latest poll showing the Maryland races for governor and U.S. Senate close and tightening, former President Bill Clinton returned to the state Sunday to bolster the Democratic ticket, and former Vice President Al Gore will be stumping for his party?s nominees today.
The locations for both events were Maryland?s two largest jurisdictions, Prince George?s and Montgomery counties, signaling their growing weight in a state once dominated politically by the Baltimore region. Gov. Robert Ehrlich also had a major event with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in Prince George?s County Sunday.
In addition, Clinton taped a new TV commercial for his “good friend Martin O?Malley.”
The new poll of 625 voters by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research released Sunday found Democratic Baltimore Mayor Martin O?Malley and Ehrlich deadeven at 45 percent, and in the Senate race, Democrat Ben Cardin slightly ahead of Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele at 47 percent to Steele?s 44 percent.
The percentage of black voters in the telephone poll conducted Wednesday through Friday placed turnout at 24 percent, which may be high, and if so, would lower the Democrats? percentages.
One interesting question in the Mason-Dixon poll asked: “Did either candidate for U.S. Senate attack the other unfairly?” Forty-three percent said “both did” and 23 percent said “no.”
There?s nothing fancy about the new ad for O?Malley, featuring a very presidential-looking Bill Clinton addressing the television audience from behind a desk, much as he did during his presidency.
“This year?s election is especially important in Maryland,” Clinton says, “because you have a chance to elect my good friend Martin O?Malley as your next governor.
“There?s a reason Time magazine named Martin one of America?s best mayors,” the ex-president goes on: “His dedication to safer streets, quality schools and making government work better.
“I?ve seen him at work fighting for the right kind of change ? always pursuing middle-class families? interests before the special interests,” Clinton says.
That?s the only slight negative, if veiled, reference to Ehrlich in the ad. Ehrlich has run no similar ads from President Bush, who polls show is very unpopular in Maryland. Clinton has regained his popularity, particularly among Democratic voters, according to national polls.
Part of the Baltimore Examiner’s 2006 Election Coverage
