By Michael Dresser and David Nitkin
                            Originally published Jun 25, 2002

                    TRUST COMPTROLLER William Donald Schaefer to tell you what he
                    really thinks.

                    Last week's Board of Public Works meeting brought state schools
                    Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick and Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy
                    Townsend together for their first joint appearance since Grasmick decided
                    against joining Republican Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. in a run for governor.

                    Townsend was leading the meeting in place of Gov. Parris N. Glendening,
                    and Grasmick was part of a team lobbying for an African-American
                    cultural museum.

                    Before Grasmick left the room, Schaefer praised her decision, saying she
                    was "putting education above politics."

                    The job she holds now can truly make a difference, he said, compared
                    with some others. "It's great to be lieutenant governor, but ...," said
                    Schaefer, his voice trailing off in disdain.

                    A hush came over the room, waiting for Townsend's reaction.

                    Townsend typically disarms Schaefer's outbursts with a pat on the
                    shoulder, a squeeze on the forearm and a compliment. This time, she did a
                    double take. "I was very interested in checking out where you were going
                    with that," she said with a chuckle.

                    The mood lightened moments later when Del. Michael E. Busch, the Anne
                    Arundel Democrat, tried to deflect Schaefer's critical questioning of the
                    state's ability to pay for a county land preservation deal.

                    "We all agree on one thing," Busch said. "We'd like to see the lieutenant
                    governor become the next governor."

                    Townsend promptly asked that the land purchase be approved. "Well,
                    that was a very compelling argument," she said.

                    Carlson won't run again for General Assembly

                    Yet another up-and-coming Montgomery County delegate is leaving the
                    General Assembly.

                    Just weeks after Del. Cheryl C. Kagan surprised Montgomery political
                    mavens by announcing she would not run for re-election, Del. Paul H.
                    Carlson has done the same.

                    Carlson, a 32-year-old Democrat, said his decision had nothing to do
                    with redistricting and everything to do with family.

                    He was on the three-candidate team that defeated the previously
                    all-Republican 39th District House delegation in 1998. He was
                    considered likely for political advancement and for a time gave serious
                    thought to challenging Sen. Patrick J. Hogan in the Democratic primary.

                    Carlson, newly married and intent on starting a family, said he decided not
                    to run for personal reasons. He pointed to the demands of a job that is
                    part time only in theory -- with the pressures of fund raising, constituent
                    service and running a campaign.

                    "It's at least a minimum of six months out of the year," he said, adding that
                    he might be interested in a comeback when his family's financial security is
                    assured.

                    House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. said he was surprised that the
                    promising freshman will not be returning.

                    "He's got great credentials for public life, but I think he's being very wise,"
                    Taylor said.

                    While Carlson is leaving the House, one of the Republicans he defeated in
                    1998 is attempting to return -- this time as a Democrat.

                    Matthew J. Mossburg is among those seeking a delegate's seat in the
                    newly all-Montgomery 14th District. He said he switched parties after the
                    1998 election, deciding he was out of step with fellow Republicans on the
                    role of government.

                    "I've seen the light. I've had a conversion," he said.

                    Sauerbrey tapped for post in Bush administration

                    Two-time gubernatorial candidate Ellen R. Sauerbrey has a new position
                    with the Bush administration.

                    The president announced last week that he has nominated Sauerbrey for
                    an ambassador-level position on the United States Commission on the
                    Status of Women of the Economic and Social Council of the United
                    Nations.

                    Her nomination requires confirmation by the Senate. Sauerbrey predicted
                    the post will be "an exciting opportunity" and "a terrific challenge."

                    Sauerbrey, a former delegate and House of Delegates Republican leader,
                    was chairwoman of the Bush campaign in Maryland and is a GOP
                    national committeewoman. Last year, she was appointed by Bush to go to
                    Geneva as part of a six-week human rights mission.

                    Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun