O'Malley fires campaign manager. Teachers like Duncan.

[nickshepDEM]

Things turning sour at the O'Malley camp? Something cant be right if he fired his campaign manager.

The Washington Post:

Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley tonight announced a shakeup in the senior staff of his campaign for governor, naming a former leader of the Maryland Democratic Party to replace a national Democratic operative as his campaign manager.

The campaign said Josh White, former executive director of the state party, would replace Jonathan Epstein, who was tapped to lead O’Malley’s campaign last year.

Baltimore Sun:

Maryland's main teachers union fell short yesterday of endorsing either Democratic candidate for governor, a decision that could hurt Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan.

To win the endorsement of the Maryland State Teachers Association, candidates must receive 58 percent of the votes cast by the group's representative assembly. About 400 members of the assembly met in Columbia yesterday but were unable to deliver the endorsement to Mayor Martin O'Malley or Duncan, whose county's teachers make up a large percentage of the group.

Duncan campaign manager Scott Arceneaux said Duncan received 55 percent of the vote, a percentage that he said was a victory for the Montgomery executive.

Unable to reach the 58 percent mark, the group instead decided that it would wait to see which Democratic candidate, Duncan or O'Malley, wins the Sept. 12 primary. The union will then endorse the winner in the Nov. 7 general election against Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr

[aintitfunny]

1. I don't see the connection

There is nothing in the article that would indicate "things turning sour". Replacing a campaign manager is not in and of itself negative - but I guess you can spin it that way. According to the Sun Paper they are moving to a group who are more focused on Maryland issues. Sounds like a reasoned decision. I just saw O'Malley at the Arbutus Arts festival yesterday and even in Ehrlich's hometown he was being welcomed and warmly greeted. It would appear his campaign is well on track.

As for the teachers, neither got an endorsement and I would bet that Duncan was expecting one. Considering that Baltimore teachers were not part of the voting group and Montgomery County teachers were a large part of the voting group, Duncan should have walked away with the endorsement. I am sure his campaign is disappointed with this result, even as they claim victory.

[nickshepDEM]

2. If things were going well, O'Malley would have obviously kept

Epstein. You dont fire a campaign manger if things are going well -- thats just common sense.

My guess is, the O'Malley camp was caught off guard by the Duncan offensive and someone needed to be held responsible. Interal polling is probably showing Duncan gaining some traction too.

[aintitfunny]

3. Duncan needs to gain a lot more traction

He was coming from quite a deficit position.

O'Mally was not caught off guard, everyone knew what was coming from Duncan. He has been attacking O'Malley from the get go. Duncan is offensive, you got that right, I am just glad that O'Malley is not responding in kind.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. "Teachers like Duncan"?

They didn't endorse anyone. Duncan got a vote insufficient to garner their endorsement. That should have been your lead.

As to O'Malley firing a national guy in favor of a Marylander, good for him. The DC consultants do no one any good.