No takers on the Al Wynn thing. Not O'Malley. Not even the publicity-seeking missiles Gansler and Franchot. Not a single Democrat and, worse, not a single Republican in this state wants to pursue Al for half of the cost of a $1 million special election that has to be called on account of Al -- can we call you Pal? -- taking a fat-juicy job with a big-time lobbyist outfit in Washington.
What's the matter with these people?
I have plenty of e-mail from readers who agree that Al Wynn needs to be embarrassed into paying at least half the bill, but no public leader willing to take up this cudgel.
Where's their sense of political populism? Where's their sense of sue-the-bum? Where's the joie de vivre?
Previously on The Al Wynn Story: I sent him a bill for $500,000 on behalf of my fellow Marylanders, or at least the people of the 4th Congressional District, seeking half the cost of the special election.
Al, a Democrat who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1992, lost the February primary election to Donna Edwards.
In one of the most flagrant examples of political nyah-nyah, he announced a short time later that he would be leaving his seat early and taking a job in June with a law firm that lobbies Congress and whose clients have given campaign contributions to Al.
It's all so very cozy and grotesque and greedy.
Because of Al's big rush to cash out, the state of Maryland will have to hold a special election to fill his seat -- or else leave the people of the 4th District without a representative in Congress until early next year.
The state says the special election will cost about $1 million to stage.
What I'm saying is: If Al wants to opt out of the implied contract he has with the people who elected him to a full two-year term in 2006, then he, and/or the lobbying firm so eager to get him, ought to pay half of the cost of this election.
I mean, that would be a grand gesture.
I sent Al the bill the other day, and posted two forms of the invoice on my Random Rodricks blog.
Haven't heard a peep from him. He's ignoring the bill. Today's column constitutes a reminder notice.
I wasn't born yesterday. I'm not jejune. I know the guy's not about to run out to Food Lion and get a money order for $500,000, payable to the comptroller of Maryland.
But I'm outraged that Al would do such a thing.
