As a registered independent and open to persuasion, Anthony Brown lost me months ago when he opted to send an empty podium to a primary debate.
It was apparent to me (and obviously very clear to him) that as the front-runner he had nothing to gain and much to lose by facing the other two candidates in the primary race, Del. Heather Mizeur and state Attorney General Doug Gansler.
I recall that the reaction of some talking-head pundits was that skipping the debate was a wise political move on Mr. Brown's part. I also remember my own reaction: "How dare he?"
More recently, with the myriad of issues facing Maryland, each of overwhelming magnitude, Mr. Brown's day-in, day-out focus as the Democratic candidate was on pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds! What was that about?
Meanwhile, the incessant mean-spirited drumbeat of his campaign just became a burden after a while. His inner circle (who won't be putting this one on their resumes) did him no favors by insisting on such unappealing negativity. What a joyless candidate. Mr. Hogan is a breath of fresh by comparison.
Joe Pachino, Baltimore