Johnson, Baker Share A Convention Moment

Forget Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Two Prince Georgians had their own moment of unity during last week's Democratic National Convention.

Take a look at this picture of County Executive Jack B. Johnson and former state delegate Rushern L. Baker III, snapped and submitted by Del. Justin D. Ross.

In Maryland, few politicians have held such enmity for each other as Johnson and Baker.

Baker spent months beating up on Johnson when they ran for executive in 2006. Johnson was then seen as a key behind-the-scenes player in ensuring the Democratic Central Committee did not choose Baker to fill a state Senate vacancy created by the January death of Gwendolyn T. Britt.

After Baker failed to get the nod, Johnson exulted, "I don't want to call him a loser, but that's basically what he is."

Could the two men have buried the hatchet? Maybe the thin Denver air just went to their heads.

School Board Notes Historic Nomination

Prince George's County Board of Education members did not attend the Democratic convention, but their hearts were in Denver nonetheless, to judge from a tearful address by board member Pat Fletcher at last week's meeting.

Toward the end of the meeting, Fletcher (District 3) took a moment to praise Obama, the first African American to become a major party nominee for president.

"Win, lose or draw, today is a special day for all people of color," Fletcher said, her voice cracking. "And I just want to say that I am glad that I am experiencing it, that my grandbabies will be able to tell their grandchildren."

As she spoke, District 1 board member Rosalind Johnson called out, "Yes! Yes!"

Although the school board is a nonpartisan body, most of its members, as well as Schools Superintendent John E. Deasy, have openly supported Obama, good politics in an overwhelmingly Democratic county.