Guest Post by Morbo
A few months ago, I noted that William Donald Schaefer, Maryland’s comptroller, had ogled a young female aide to Gov. Robert Ehrlich during a public meeting. I expressed my desire that this clown be booted from office during the primary election — but I was pessimistic that it would happen, as the man is an institution in the state.
Today I’m glad to report that my pessimism was misplaced. Maryland voters gave “Willie Don” a big boot in the backside Sept. 12, choosing Peter Franchot, a former member of the House of Delegates, to be the Democratic nominee.
Schaefer is 84 and is obviously becoming senile. During the campaign, he often said things that simply did not make sense and were offensive. He insulted Korean-Americans by linking them to volatile North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Two years earlier, he insulted Hispanics by criticizing those who speak Spanish in public places. In the final days of the campaign, he offended many women by attacking the appearance of Janet Owens, his second opponent in the race. Schaefer derided Owens for her manner of dress and hairstyle, calling her “Mother Hubbard.”
The man is clearly deranged. There are bad chemicals in his brain. Setting aside all of that, he’s not a real Democrat. I’ve loathed him since 1992, when he endorsed George H.W. Bush for president. Being a phony Democrat is bad enough. Being an insane one is inexcusable.
Just to be clear, it’s not an age thing. Some people remain spry in their 80s. Look at Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens — 85 and still sharp as a tack. Schaefer is no Stevens. He could have retired with dignity four years ago and been looked at as an elder statesman. Instead he chose to go out kicking and screaming, an embarrassment to the state he claims to love.
Two days after the election, The Washington Post ran a headline reading, “MD Comptroller’s Loss Attributed to His Candor.” I must disagree. Candor is a positive quality. Schaefer had become a reckless and embarrassing motor-mouth lacking in common sense and decency. I did not want this man in charge of my state’s bond rating.
Good riddance to him.