EDITORIAL

Tuesday's Vote: Your Primary Piece of the Action

Suddenly, voting is a more urgent act.

The good economic times that lulled us may not be gone, but the stock market dip suggests they've taken a rest.

Likewise, politics across the landscape are roiled by scandal in the White House.

A new political game is shaping up, and those of us who realize this will have the upper hand in Tuesday's primary election and in the general election in November.

Those of us who don't - and for some unforgivable reason don't bother to vote - will be left out.

In the gubernatorial election, Gov. Parris Glendening may have been spared a strong challenge when Eileen Rehrmann bowed out early. His principle challenger, Dr. Terry McGuire, has dotted the landscape with yellow signs and piled up pages of faxes in our editorial office but done little more.

Glendening is an odd political duck, seemingly short on the genes for deal making and glad handing. Those are not necessarily deficiencies.

On his list of achievements are his 'Smart Growth' program, his pro-Chesapeake Bay initiatives and his support for the state purchase of Chapman's Landing on the Potomac River. He'll have Southern Anne Arundel County's environmental vote if, by November, he antes $3 million into the partnership to preserve Franklin Point from development.

On the Republican side, Ellen Sauerbrey offers voters a brand of conservatism distinct from her moderate opponent, Charles Ecker. She inspires the like-minded, and her record as a legislator on environmental issues may appeal to those who believe we have gone too far in our efforts to restore Chesapeake Bay.

In the Anne Arundel County executive race, incumbent Republican John Gary has been doing his best to persuade people that his battles with the school board, among others, are on behalf of the taxpayers and not simply born of desire to control.

Ex-Republican Diane Evans expects to be Gary's opponent in November - unless Democrats revert to tried and true party loyalist Janet Owens. Whichever woman wins, we're hoping she engages Gary issue to issue so November voters know what they'll get from the person they hire to lead them across the millennium.

Meanwhile, there are a host of elections in Calvert County and in legislative districts that demand your attention. Have you looked - beyond the name on the roadside signs - to learn what the men and women behind the name will do for you? Have you matched the candidate to your values? Are you thinking strategically, toward victory in November?

Now's the last minute you've been waiting for.

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VolumeVI Number 36
September 10-16, 1998
New Bay Times

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