Credit Tom Chalkley

It ain't over yet - Maryland's gubernatorial race is giving voters the full end-of-campaign treatment. 

Usually the deal is done by now. But this year’s campaign for governor is a race to the finish. Lt.Gov. Anthony Brown has called in President Obama. Hillary Clinton, the presidential heir apparent, is scheduled for an appearance today. And it looks like First Lady, Michelle Obama, will come to Baltimore on Monday for Brown. New Jersey Governor Christ Christy has been here for the Republican Larry Hogan.

Money is said to be pouring in for both candidates. This is so you can see all those discredited and misleading commercials a few more times.

Then again some of us are pausing to make up our minds – finally.

Some prognosticators say the outcome is closer than expected. True, enough -- and yet Larry Hogan had looked from the beginning like a candidate who would run well. He has.

And yet, neither candidate has had much spark.  Voters in some parts of the state, eastern Baltimore County in particular, seem restive or simply angry. They want change. That desire was a missed opportunity – if the polls are right.  Neither candidate has stirred the voters to hit the polling places with change-driven purpose. Or have we all given up on change? A change election would play in favor of the Republicans. Democrats offer their next-in-line. They’re depending on party label. Vote for the Democrats, a new rash of lawn signs urges.

Local polls suggest some momentum toward Hogan. He probably needs a wave, something powerful enough to counter the Democrat’s 2-1 voter registration edge – and the party’s get-out-the-vote advantage.

The old Democratic hands are said to be worried. The old Republican hands live in hope.

All WE can do is vote.

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