Incumbent backs Incumbent: Film at 11

Andrew Kujan is puzzled that Comptroller Peter Franchot is backing Al Wynn in his 2008 re-election primary instead of ultra-lefty Donna Edwards:

To say the two men have divergent interests is an understatment.

When Franchot was elected as comptroller, some criticized the expansion of his office's powers. Franchot dismissed these claims....

I once supported the Comptroller's expanded actions, because I figured the man's head was on straight. Now I am not so sure.

Franchot has decided to endorse a congressman who will be actively working against his goals as a progressive. Whether he was fooled or went willinging, I do not know, but I do know I am disappointed.

Sure, an incumbent backing an incumbent against a primary challenger is not exactly breaking news. And there's a lot of material there to deal with (why anybody would want to expand the powers of the Comptrollers office; why would anybody think Franchot had his head on straight). But I think Andrew misses the four little numbers that have everything to do with this decision.

2010

It is no secret that Peter Franchot desperately wants to run for Governor. It is also no secret that O'Malley's a little too moderate for Franchot's tastes. Nor is it a secret that the African-American community is not particularly gung ho for O'Malley or the slate of candidates that came out of the Democratic ticket in 2006.

So ask yourself this; if you were planning on running an insurgent primary to an incumbent Governor's left in three years, wouldn't you want to do whatever you could to help shore up support and build political capital wherever you could get it?

Just a thought....