Has Franchot got a horse for you Likens bid for statewide road of destruction." So what is Franchot running for? He has become an increasingly visi "I would never say never,' he re visibility to 'Seabiscuit' ble Democratic hit man who cold-calls sponded when asked if he is laying the reporters and is ready at a second's no early foundation for a gubernatorial tice to fire partisan venom at the gover campaign. "There are a couple of other by Thomas Dennison nor and his policies. Examples include more established candidates," referring pulling a page out of former President to Montgomery County Executive Dou William J. Clinton's playbook and com glas M. Duncan (D) and Baltimore Mayor paring Ehrlich with Herbert Hoover, who Martin O'Malley (D). BRYANS ROAD — With the twangy was blamed for the Great Depression strains Of Willie Nelson's "On the Road and whom Clinton (D) compared to But even as he referred to Duncan and Again" playing in the background, Del. George H.W. Bush in 1992. Franchot also O'Malley as Ehrlich's leading challengers Peter VR. Franchot stood under a large has tried to connect scandal-ridden cor in 2006, Franchot links the image of the oak tree eating a bowl of homemade porations such as Enron and WorldCom two Democratic titans to War Admiral, peach ice cream while admiring the view to Ehrlich's budget policy. the widely favored thoroughbred who of the Potomac River. . was beaten by the smaller Seabiscuit. Say the name Franchot to the gover In a sense, Franchot wants to be die The scene here on Sunday evening nor, and heJaughs out loud. Ehrlich has left-leaning ideological Seabiscuit in a was nothing out of the ordinary for De- held up Franchot as the symbol of the liberal and "obstructionist" wing of the race against Duncan, and O'Malley, "mocratsThWesfeWCharles CountyThe whom he is bound to paint as centrist ex New Western Charles County Democratic Democratic Party, and he echoed that sentiment Wednesday. .'. ..- ecutives. Club has a summertime $20-a-head "There could always be a Seabiscuit," fund-raiser each year that is known more "Obviously, Peter Franchot is a major figure in the Maryland Democratic Party Franchot smiled. "He had a big heart." for peach daiquiris, fried fish and water The chattering classes have been melon wedges than political intrigue. and he represents the dominant wing of the Democratic Party," Ehrlich said. "He wondering about Franchot's recent an But this year there was something out should be out there,,.,._HeJsbecoming- tics, which they figure point at him want of place, someone who did not really fit in the titular head of the Democratic ing to raise his statewide visibility. but who was eager to make the rounds Party." Franchot interviewed for the job of and explain why Gov. Robert L Ehrlich Jr. Translation: Ehrlich relishes thatji_ Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's running (R) should be a one-term governor. That corporatelawyeTffom Takoma Park, the mate last year, but he was rejected in person was Franchot, a veteran delegate epicenter of Maryland liberals, is carry favor of retired Navy* Adm. Charles R. from far-off Montgomery County, who ing the flag of die Democratic Party. Larson, a former Republican. Still, some "Democrats"see benefits in Franchot's seemed delighted that he had driven "We hope he keeps talking," said a down a dirt road to get to the fund-raiser travels and believe that if he does not run top Ehrlich aide. "Bring him on." for governor, he may be positioning for and that he was politicking with hard-core Franchot does not stop with snappy Democrats who had never heard of him. -another running mate opportunity"or a quotes in newspapers and quips oh Bal U.S. Senate bid in 2006. "I didn't quite understand why he was timore and Washington radio shows. here," said Jewell. Bragunier.a matriarch, "I think Peter is a Very effective While some other lawmakers have spokesman for the Democratic Party," of Charles County politics and corchair- been busy flip-flopping in favor of legal said Cheryl C. Kagan, a Democratic con- woman of the Democratic Club. izing slot machines, Franchot has done a sultaht and former Montgomery County She^said "it was great" that Franchot back-flip. Last year, he co-sponsored a delegate. "It's good for his career, good for {DrDist 20) oTTakorha Park traveledTalF slots bill by House Appropriations Com the party and good for Montgomery the way to Charles County, but she admit mittee Chairman Howard P Rawlings County for him to be traveling all around ted that his appearance on Sunday and (D-Dist. 40) of Baltimore, only to be the state. He makes a good first impres his scheduled return visit for the club's come a leading opponent this year. sion, and he can make a compelling case Oct 23 meeting in Indian Head are a little Franchot said he co-sponsored the as to why our state needs new leadership;" puzzling. bill because Gov. Parris N. Glendening Franchot has met with two top strate Others tried to piece together the obvi (D) opposed slots and the revenue gen gists who worked on the presidential ous. - erated would be "an add-on" to the state campaign of Vice President Al Gore (D), Bob Johnson, a real estate magnate, budget. He said his opposition to slots and Len Foxwell, a veteran of die Parris said Franchot is clearly testing the waters today is due to Ehrlich "holding the state N. Glendening and Townsend cam for a statewide campaign. Why else budget hostage to get slots." paigns, has advised him. Franchot is also "would a guy from Montgomery County In short, Franchot is charting a mes expected to speak in Baltimore city and come all the way down here?" he asked. sage that strongly resonates with tradition Western Maryland this fall. "I'm not sure what he is running for," al Democrats — whether in a speech on "I think I'm filling a void of people Johnson said. "I guess that's why you're the Eastern Shore or traveling to the end of who are willing to take a progressive doing a story." . Charles County for Sunday's fund-raiser. Maryland agenda and say we are proud The story of Peter Van Rensselaer He likened his strategy to the presi of the progress we've made," he said. Franchot has yet to be told, but there is no dential campaign of former Vermont "People are tired of the sense that they doubt that the 55-year-old Connecticut Gov. Howard B. Dean (D), whom Fran- are not being told the truth. My main natfye is ready"fo tell a tale; thardescnbes" - chot supports and is 'galvanizing the De goal is to make sure why people should Ehrlich as a Republican monster. mocratic base nationally with his fiery know how to make Bob Ehrlich a one- Franchot charges Ehrlich with pan J message and blistering attacks on Presi- term governor." .-- dering to the-richrbeing 'bitterly parti _dent_George W. Bush. . Republicans, however, see endless san" and friendly with environmental polluters, and "driving the state down a O IA fc", Co**' ways to demonize him. "The perception across the state of a candidate from Montgomery County is strongly negative," said Kevin Igoe, a Re publican strategist based inJCalvert County. "There is an impression that Montgomery County does a lot of kooky things."