What better time than Valentine's week to put the white-hot spotlight on the lovefest taking place right here in Baltimore.
You could call it "The Courtship of Julian L. Lapides."
Consider the scene Thursday, at the monthly meeting of the Mount Royal Democratic Club, when City Council Vice President Vera P. Hall came a-courting, campaign aide in tow.
Mrs. Hall, Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke's floor leader and his apparent choice for council president, thanked Mr. Lapides for the invite to his home political club.
She then praised the comptroller candidate as "a man of his word and a man of honor," a fellow whose company she has always enjoyed. In fact, the 5th District councilwoman gushed, "I hope to be in his company continuously after 1995."
Mr. Lapides, a lawyer and former state senator from Bolton Hill, then took to the floor, delivering niceties about Mrs. Hall as a friend and fine public servant.
"I think we'll be getting to know her better between now and Sept. 12," Mr. Lapides said, referring to the primary election.
A club member asked about a Schmoke-Hall-Lapides ticket, but the lovebirds only lowered their eyes and blushed appropriately.
"We're both very friendly with everybody. We love everybody," Mr. Lapides said, drawing a laugh from the small crowd, including his wife, Linda.
"We believe in building coalitions, so who knows what will happen?" Mrs. Hall replied.
Mr. Lapides later acknowledged that there is talk of a marriage but that at present, "we're still in the waltzing stage."
But who gains what by such an arrangement? Mr. Schmoke would seem to be the winner.
Mr. Lapides offers racial balance to a Schmoke slate, if one materializes, since an all-black ticket is unlikely this year. An alliance with the mayor would almost surely draw votes from Council President Mary Pat Clarke, who is trying to knock off Mr. Schmoke in his bid for a third term.
Mr. Lapides, known for his independence and candor, has no real competition in the comptroller's race. Though not generally known for his political street smarts, this year he has pulled together a tough campaign team with roots deep in Baltimore's black and white communities and lined up support in diverse corners.
Already he is ahead of the curve, even if a viable challenger emerges. Getting hitched could assure him of victory.
But what about his independence? A marriage with Mr. Schmoke could compromise the very thing for which he is best known.
"I think the mayor wants to do the honest thing, and I think by my being comptroller, that would help ensure the integrity of city government," he countered.
Yet, as fully independent, Mr. Lapides could remain the plain-spoken foil, holding the administration's feet to the fire -- on the Board of Estimates and in other forums -- no matter who is elected mayor.
"I do have the persona of remaining single," he conceded.
Sounds like Jack has a long spring of bouquets and bon-bons from City Hall to look forward to. Love was also in the air Sunday at the opening of Mary Pat Clarke's campaign headquarters at 2511 N. Charles St., a three-story rowhouse that was packed with well-wishers.
Dressed in a seasonally festive magenta suit (borrowed from one of her daughters), Mrs. Clarke officially kicked off her campaign for mayor on the weekend preceding her favorite non-holiday, Valentine's Day.
The invitation even included a poem she penned. In part, it read, "We're headed for mayor/the M*ry Pat way:/hand in hand/heart to heart/because we all care/for children, for families,/for neighbors who share."
But her message at the headquarters was anything but love-filled. The scrappy Mrs. Clarke offered a glimpse of what she planned for the coming war with Mayor Schmoke, who she believes will drop millions to be re-elected, outspending her 3-to-1.
Sounding like former Mayor William Donald Schaefer and hoping to capitalize on dissatisfaction with the Schmoke administration, Mrs. Clarke charged that "the city looks neglected and forgotten."
She vowed to "get back to basics" by cleaning the streets and alleys, improving the city school system and public safety, and creating job opportunities.
Mrs. Clarke also announced the creation of a grass-roots "95 Club" fund-raising campaign -- an effort to get 5,000 city residents to contribute $95 each to meet a $500,000 goal for the primary.