Duncan Raises Profile At O'Malley's Expense

Duncan has released an education plan, a crime initiative and several other policy proposals. But his attacks on O'Malley have generated the most attention.

Stokes said that the mayor is "obviously popular" in the city but that "a strong minority" of black voters who opposed his 1999 election have never warmed to him. With help from Jessamy and Schmoke, Duncan could win over those voters, as well as some more recently disillusioned with the mayor, Stokes said.

Others argue, however, that Duncan has appeared naive at times about urban challenges and could alienate as many Baltimore residents as he attracts.

"It is somewhat unseemly for the county executive of a very wealthy county to come to the state's poorest city and pick on us, and, to a large extent, that is how people see this," said Jon Laria, president of a nonprofit group that promotes living in the city.

O'Malley campaign manager Jonathan Epstein said voters recognize the difference between a candidate who "has taken a page out of the Karl Rove Republican playbook of nasty politics" and someone who "is running for governor to do something about . . . challenges facing our families."

Some Democrats say that Duncan's attacks are primarily helping Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), by legitimizing GOP criticism of O'Malley and weakening his chances in the general election. Duncan counters that all candidates' records deserve scrutiny.

O'Malley is seeking to make inroads on Duncan's home turf, as well, and has made several appearances recently in Montgomery, where he grew up and where his campaign posted hundreds of signs over the weekend. He has an event planned Thursday in Silver Spring.

But the tenor of O'Malley's visits are different. He has fielded questions about issues affecting the Washington suburbs, such as the planned intercounty connector. But O'Malley, aides say, makes no attempt to insert himself into local controversies, such as violations at a Clarksburg development.

Duncan recently traveled to Baltimore and stood with Jessamy outside a juvenile justice center. The media had been summoned for an announcement about drug courts, but the focus soon changed to a flare-up at a City Council hearing.

Two council members who support O'Malley had questioned Jessamy about the performance of her office, prompting an angry exchange. Duncan characterized the encounter as an "ambush" to divert attention from questions about O'Malley's crime statistics.

Duncan was also referring to a 2001 episode in which O'Malley unleashed a profanity-laced tirade about a decision by Jessamy not to pursue a police corruption case.

The incident infuriated Jessamy supporters, who still point to it when explaining their problems with O'Malley.

Jessamy is not without detractors in the city. Seeking reelection in 2002, she ran against two challengers in the Democratic primary and won with just 44 percent of the vote. Jessamy's most loyal constituency, however, is elderly and middle-aged black women, who tend to be reliable voters.

Duncan said his campaign is doing nothing new in speaking out about Baltimore issues. "We've got a more receptive audience than we did a year ago, but the strategy hasn't changed," he said. "We're talking about what people are interested in."