Alex Mooney

So Monday came and went, and none of those who were talking so cavalierly about giving Republican state Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley the boot made their move. Not atypical of the political set.

One person heard that Brinkley might have given a statement to the Sun yesterday, but that turned out to be nothing. Nope. It's pretty clear he won't say anything for some time.

Allow me to join the round of boos…I mean, editorial boards in calling out Governor Martin O’Malley (D) for not doing anything about the death penalty. First in The Washington Times, whose editorial board states, “Unlike his Virginia counterpart [Gov. Tim Kaine (D)] who has decided to uphold the law, Mr. O’Malley has chosen to snooker it. We understand that an untold number of Americans and politicians wrestle with the morality of the death penalty. But Mr. O'Malley must understand, too, that the law is the law, and he has sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution and Maryland state law.”

The Capital editorial board who clearly states that they are for what the people want, if they want to repeal the death penalty, but “[they] do have a problem with endless procrastination, legalistic nitpicking and waiting on the outcome of jury rigged studies.” It should be noted that they started off by saying that Maryland is on its way to being a symbolic state. I thought we were already there with all of the official state “stuff” we have on the symbol list.

In any event, O’Malley is showing the same lackadaisical attitude that was on display when it came to the budget last year. We were facing a budget deficit that ranged from $1.3-1.7 billion dollars. Instead of jumping into looking at what he could do budget wise to lessen the blow for the following year, he took a wait and see approach while attempting to fire the alleged incompetent and consumer hating Public Service Commission to bring on his own alleged professional, competent and consumer friendly PSC in hopes of rolling back the BGE rate hikes. By the way, how did that go and how much more money did he give Steve Larsen?

ANNAPOLIS - The deadline to file a candidacy for office with the state Board of Elections for the 2008 primary campaign passed last night without any surprises.

Anticipation arose throughout the day that Republican U.S. Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett of Maryland’s 6th Congressional District may have been considering a withdrawal from the primary. Bartlett, who is 81, has served in the House since 1993. His son, Joseph R. Bartlett, has served in Maryland’s House of Delegates since 1999. Reports speculated that Roscoe Bartlett was considering withdrawal to open the door for his 37-year-old son to enter the race. Roscoe Bartlett did not withdraw, and he remains a candidate in the primary campaign.