Kweisi Mfume?s name has been mispronounced in probably more ways than Cal Ripken has converted double plays in his career. But this former congressman and president of the NAACP with the tricky name may be Baltimore?s best hope in a post-O?Malley era.
While who will be Maryland?s next governor is still uncertain, in the event of a Martin O?Malley win, City Council President Sheila Dixon will rise to the post and serve until December 2007.
However, the ethics-investigation-prone Ms. Dixon probably won?t last in office if the allegations hurled against her come to fruition, including directing $600,000 to a former campaign manager, and being unduly influenced by her sister in a regulation hearing.
Baltimore then would need a new mayor. Of the four people best suited for the job, Mfume, who recently lost to Ben Cardin in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, is the top choice. His leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus made it an influential force and his stewardship of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People saved the organization from the throes of insolvency.
He?s well-liked by blacks and whites alike, and could probably turn Baltimore?s growing Hispanic population his way as well. Mfume is a brilliant orator whose message could convince stubborn African-American males that drugs and crime are not the answer.
But a hint of scandalfollows Mfume. He fathered five children with at least three different women before entering Congress, and allegations of sexual misconduct with female staffers at the NAACP linger. If Mfume can keep future allegations from being made, he?s the best choice for Baltimore?s next mayor.
The other contenders ? Del. Catherine Pugh, Dr. Peter Beilenson and City Council Member Kenneth Harris, all Democrats ? also have strong credentials.
Pugh, a former city councilwoman, blew away the competition in the 40th District State Senate primary, tantamount to an election win. She?s well-liked by almost anyone who knows her, and has the needed experience, with service in both the state House and the City Council. Local business leaders like her efforts to bring business back into Baltimore, and teachers like her work with city schools. Pugh has the gumption to be a great mayor.
Beilenson is a darkhorse mayoral candidate. He ran a great campaign for the 3rd District Congressional seat, coming up just short to John Sarbanes. As former city health commissioner, he knows how to prepare the city for bioterrorism and ensure Baltimore?s schoolchildren receive proper vaccinations. He knows how to handle bureaucracy and could probably unravel the red-tape handicapping the state?s attorney?s office and the police department. Beilenson?s experience, intelligence and ability to talk to people make him a great candidate, though voters may be leery of electing another white mayor so soon in a city where more than 60 percent of residents are black.
Harris is somewhat brash, young, and less seasoned. But he?s been making headlines in going after the police department for their “illegal” arrest practices.
Though he and O?Malley have recently fought, the two have a lot in common. When O?Malley rose to fame as a city councilman, he also took on the police commissioner and criticized the handling of what he termed “open air drug marts.” O?Malley?s criticisms caused a major ripple in Baltimore, and Harris? attacks on the police may have the same effect. Harris also took on a major role in Ben Cardin?s Senate campaign, giving him added publicity ? much needed for any mayoral candidate.
Any of these four would probably make for a great mayor, whether Dixon is indicted or not. Expect a major challenge against her from any of these four and also City Councilman Keiffer Mitchell, State?s Attorney Pat Jessamy, and Del. Jill Carter at the next election.
WCBM radio host Tom Moore?s Web site is www.tommooreradio.com. Send Tom your stories of any dangerous intersections near you for an upcoming column to: [email protected]
