Gubernatorial Candidate Ben Jealous Introduces Susan Turnbull as his Running Mate for Lieutenant Governor

Sometimes, it’s worth doing a third take.

Apparently, a car accident outside interrupted Ben Jealous’s effort to do his introduction of Susie Turnbull as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. After investigating, they came back and did this second take.

It contains some real clunkers. Ben Jealous speaks of removing Gov. Larry Hogan “from the White House.” This Freudian slip only reinforces the perception that Jealous is a lot more knowledgeable and comfortable speaking about national issues and his real interests lie outside the State.

Incredibly, Turnbull then makes the same gaffe by referring to when she “moved to Washington” even though she quickly realizes her mistake and attempts to correct mid-course. She ends up saying:

For the last 40 years, I’ve been engaged in politics. Since I moved to Wash <pause> to Washington and Maryland, especially to Maryland, in the last . . . years ago, what I have done is build coalitions and work in my community.

Leading with her political chops without also highlighting any specific accomplishments doesn’t help sell the message. The takeaway for many may not be their message of “change” and “doing big things” but that Jealous has chosen yet another longtime well-off political insider, much of whose work in her community consists of serving in elite party positions.

Many in the DC area think of themselves as Washingtonians and identify heavily with the metro area. Saying you’re from more well-known Washington rather than Bethesda is natural for Turnbull. Yet Washington insider is not normally the image cultivated by a Sanders candidate. Describing herself as being from “Washington” will surely play poorly elsewhere in the State.

The jiggling camera puts a Maryland spin on it by reminding people of The Wire. I suppose the low production values can be sold as a form of authenticity but I would’ve thought a campaign intending to do a roll out would’ve been prepared to film it.

Jealous has gained a running mate who will reassure the political establishment and may help him raise money – two excellent reasons for Turnbull’s selection. Many people think highly of her and we’ll have future opportunities to hear from them. But this video utterly fails to sell why the broader public should think that she is a great choice for Lieutenant Governor.

Former national DNC member and Maryland Democratic Party Chair Susan Turnbull established a state-level campaign committee on November 22.  Her committee filing does not list the office for which she is running.  Her campaign chair is former Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Chair Karen Britto and her treasurer is federal lobbyist Matthew R. Schneider.

It may not be a coincidence that gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous just sent out a blast email stating that he will announce his pick for Lieutenant Governor tomorrow. Indeed, private reports indicate that Turnbull has agreed to be Jealous’s running mate.

We have asked Turnbull about the office for which she is running.  When (if?) she replies, we will update this post.

If nominated, Jealous-Turnbull would be the first Democratic ticket with no white male on it. I imagine Jealous is hoping that Turnbull will help in Montgomery County, Turnbull’s home. She also has a lot of connections as a former state party chair that could prove useful in raising money and building support around the state.

At the same time, Turnbull’s status as a party insider cuts against Jealous’s effort to campaign as an outside challenger to the establishment. In that sense, opponents can easily cast Turnbull as the ultimate insider despite her lack of experience in public office.