Johnson Relies on Charm in Pr. George's Race

Incumbent's Skill at Connecting With Voters Brings Him Praise -- but Also Criticism

It was already 20 minutes past time for the news conference, and the seniors at Pin Oak Village in Bowie were growing impatient with Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson.

"All I know is he better come back here and give me my kiss," said sixty-something Dorothy Hampton, laughing. "And he better not try to shake my hand or it's going to be World War III up in here!"

Greeting people one at a time, Johnson stopped to kiss 80-year-old Catherine Trouth nearby. He lingered while Trouth talked about moving to Prince George's from New York last year, about her son who is active in his Bowie neighborhood, about how the county executive has her vote for reelection.

Johnson nodded intently, keeping a hand on Trouth's shoulder, never taking his eyes from her face. Then he finished kissing that side of the room before making his way to the head table to announce an initiative to reduce crime against seniors.

For Jack Johnson, 57, who has won every election in which he has run, this ability to connect with people is the essence of his success. It has made up for a perceived lack of eloquence on the stump and an uneven list of accomplishments. But that highly personal political style has also contributed to criticism, from his Democratic opponent in the Sept. 12 primary and others, that he has filled his administration with friends and campaign supporters, choosing the most-familiar over the most-qualified job candidates.

State Sen. Gloria G. Lawlah (D-Prince George's) said Johnson outdoes even her efforts to respond to constituents.

Classic example: An elderly woman was hospitalized in her district. Lawlah called as soon as she heard.

"Do you know what the first words were out of that woman's mouth?" Lawlah asked.

"She said: 'Guess who just left here? Jack Johnson.' "

Lawlah, who has known Johnson about 20 years, said she has always marveled at his political acumen. Some question it, she said, or focus on the fact that "he's not a sophisticated speaker." Yet it was Johnson's insight about two decades ago, she said, that allowed him to see the political power in the county moving from the Democratic clubs to the black churches.

Thurman D. Jones Jr., president of the nonprofit Patriots Technology Training Center in Seat Pleasant, said Johnson's strength "is understanding the human factor."

Jones supported Major F. Riddick Jr. for county executive in 2002, but he said Johnson didn't hold it against him. Johnson has spoken at the center and helped sponsor one of the its robotics teams. He always turns out at Seat Pleasant's churches, funerals and community day parades.