Is Gov.-elect Parris Glendening pulling a "modified, limited Sauerbrey" by espousing conservative fiscal themes and pulling back from liberal causes in his transition announcements? He's sounding more like his right-wing Republican foe in the election and less like a mainstream Democrat.
Mr. Glendening's pronouncements surprised some of his liberal supporters. He wants to go slow on eliminating restrictive budget language on Medicaid abortions. He wants to delay a gun-control package. He wants to junk the 55 mph speed limit on "rural" interstate roads. He wants to limit spending to half the growth rate advocated by Gov. William Donald Schaefer. He wants to cut personal income taxes in 1998.
All this puts Mr. Glendening on a rightward course. He beat conservative Ellen Sauerbrey by less than 6,000 votes and now he seems intent on proving he's not a "tax and spend" liberal.
But perhaps Ellen Sauerbrey isn't the reason for Mr. Glendening's sea change. It could be Paul Tsongas, one of Mr. Glendening's political heroes. In the 1992 presidential primary, Mr. Glendening warmly embraced the Tsongas platform of downsizing government, setting limits on what government can achieve and giving priority to the out-of-control deficit.
Most of the governor-elect's statements show concern for Maryland's long-term fiscal situation. Every year, Annapolis politicians scramble to cover a "structural deficit" caused by too much mandated spending. That has to stop. One way is to hold down the growth in spending, which Mr. Glendening intends to do. Another way is to evaluate and then eliminate low-priority programs. He's headed in that direction, too.
Putting the deficit first is common sense. Once Maryland is in a true surplus situation, the governor can cut personal taxes. Until then, any action with fiscal impact -- such as abortion language in the budget -- should be handled with caution.
Caution is also the Glendening approach to gun control. Waiting a year gives him a chance to size up the mood of the legislature and develop skills in dealing with hot-button issues. It also makes sense to enforce existing gun laws better before seeking new laws.
Yet there is danger in some of Mr. Glendening's flirtations. A 65 mph speed limit makes no sense from a public health and safety perspective. It could cost Maryland millions in higher medevac costs. But the governor-elect seems eager to curry favor with those who believe moderate speed limits smack of totalitarianism. Catering to this noisy group is a loser.
It's smart politics and a smart management technique for Mr. Glendening to shed his liberal campaign image for a more centrist gubernatorial portrait. But he has to learn that he can't please everyone. He'll have to offend a lot of people to rein-in the state budget and reinvent government. Even a centrist makes enemies.