Notes on the MPT debate, and where the race for governor stands going forward

Republican Dan Cox entered the final four weeks of the gubernatorial campaign down in the polls and short on cash. And he’s being vastly outspent by his main rival, Democrat Wes Moore. Since Republicans always run uphill in Maryland, because of the 2-to-1 voter registration advantage that Democrats enjoy, all that of that is bad news for the Frederick County lawmaker. Perhaps worse than all that for the Trump loyalist is his failure to take advantage of the single best opportunity he is likely to get to change the trajectory of the contest — Wednesday’s debate on Maryland Public Television and other TV networks. Moore’s mandate in Owings Mills was to avoid a catastrophic blunder, anything that might suggest he’s a flash-in-the-pan — and he succeeded.