Sneakers O’Toole: Sneakers O’Toole speaking.

This is a typical call with a source, My sources make these stories possible!

Sneakers O’Toole: Sneakers O’Toole speaking.

Barry O’Connell: Hey, how you doing?

Sneakers O’Toole: I’m good. It’s wonderful to hear that our good friend, Maryland Wire contributor, writer, managing editor, hiring director, etc., Barry O’Connell, is well rested and out of the hospital. Welcome back to the fight, buddy.

Barry O’Connell: Good to be here — but I got a promotion. Now I’m chief cook and bottle washer.

Sneakers O’Toole: Not bad. Now, we’ve just gotten through a defining midterm cycle in Maryland. And when I say defining, I mean the things highlighted by Barry O’Connell and several other writers about what this means long‑term.

Sneakers O’Toole:

Point #1: The incumbent governor will now be expected to run a political machine in their re‑election year that will buoy incumbents and serve as a mitigating force against outsiders.

Point #2: While Maryland has largely resisted the progressive surge seen in places like New York, Detroit, and Boston, there were several progressive victories:

– Amar Makunda defeating Nancy King in District 39 with backing from Gabe Acevero and Progressive Maryland

– Malcolm Ruff defeating Dalya Attar

– Ryan Turner winning the nomination in District 41

– Ruben Amaya winning Baltimore County Council District 2

– McKayla Wilkes winning in Charles County

– Ashley Esposito advancing again in Baltimore City Board of Education

Barry O’Connell: Wait — are you just claiming all the winners? What about Ashley? She got backed by Mr. Institutional Democrat himself, Damien O’Doherty. Doesn’t that make her a mainstream Democrat?

Sneakers O’Toole: She has crossover appeal. She had support from Baltimore DSA but was also featured on the District 41 ticket. So yes — she’s got a foot in both worlds.

Barry O’Connell: I didn’t know she was endorsed by the Dynamic Satanic Alliance. That makes a difference.

Sneakers O’Toole:

Point #3: The Prince George’s County machine remains strong but is crumbling under administrative incompetence, inefficiencies, and programmatic failures. Angela Alsobrooks once won re‑election with 91%. Aisha Braveboy just pulled under 75% — a major drop, especially given her supposed unified support.

Other countywide officials ran above 80%. Braveboy did not.

The machine was out in force at the polls, including individuals on the county clock or reimbursed by county‑funded entities. There was clear paranoia about outcomes.

Federal investigators are reportedly circling around Burroughs and others regarding potential crimes. The walls are closing in.

Sneakers O’Toole:

Point #4: This cycle is clearly a setup for the gubernatorial, Comptroller, and possibly AG races. Most county executives are solidified except Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, who can run one more time in 2028.

I personally expect Aruna Miller to select Brandon Scott as her running mate. It provides continuity and neutralizes Brooke Lierman’s Baltimore City advantage.

Barry O’Connell: Wow.

Sneakers O’Toole: It also limits Aisha Braveboy’s ceiling. When your administration tried to rob Montgomery County, it’s hard to get votes there.

I once assumed Brooke Lierman might pick Braveboy, but recent actions make that unlikely. She’ll likely choose an African American from Prince George’s County — but who? Ivey? Harrison? Hard to say.

Aruna Miller, coming from Montgomery County, could pick Brandon Scott to neutralize Baltimore City. Jake Day or Johnny Olszewski are also interesting. But you haven’t mentioned one person who deserves discussion.

Barry O’Connell: Who?

Sneakers O’Toole: David Trone.

Barry O’Connell: Yeah.

Sneakers O’Toole: Trone has spent enormous money on outreach and could start the race near first place. In a field of Aruna, Brooke, and Trone, he arguably has the most progressive record and certainly the most independent one. But none of them excite people outside the political aristocracy.

If Trone enters, a Black candidate could win. The 2030 governor’s race is going to be a burner.

Barry O’Connell: What about David Trone and Aisha Braveboy?

Sneakers O’Toole: Very plausible. If Trone runs on all the Prince George’s tickets, he could win. And honestly, it would be hard for Sneakers O’Toole to root against David Trone.

Barry O’Connell: Lordy.

Barry O’Connell: OK, burning question everyone in Prince George’s wants to know: Ron Watson’s wife — Ingrid Watson. Does she get fired, and does Walla get her job?

Sneakers O’Toole: The former council members Hawkins and Watson are precarious. Nothing necessitates their continued roles. Meanwhile, Walla Blegay and Wanika Fisher will need roles to keep them content. So yes — Ingrid Watson could lose her job. Also, she says the McDonald’s fried apple pie is very good. I trust her on that.

Barry O’Connell: Probably the best fast‑food dessert.

Sneakers O’Toole: I vote Arby’s cherry turnover, plus the McDonald’s Oreo McFlurry and strawberry cream pie. Burger King cheesecake is solid too.

Barry O’Connell: There’s a chain outside Maryland with great cheesecake — I’ll think of it.

Likely to be Fired!

Barry O’Connell: OK, put Calvin and Ingrid on the “don’t be surprised if they’re fired” list.

Sneakers O’Toole: Absolutely. The DPW director was ousted around the election — likely scapegoated for snow removal failures. The pyramid of dissatisfaction only grows. Constant firing eventually exposes whatever uncouth things are happening.

Sneakers O’Toole: Now, final part: my commentary on Graham Plattner.

I’ve never had anything positive to say about him. Most communities expect some civic involvement — anything showing you care beyond your own household. Plattner had none. He constantly expressed regressive attitudes, never apologized, and had no record of service.

Yet the white left embraced him. It shows unseriousness. It empowers turncoats like Sinema, Fetterman, Gluesenkamp Perez, etc. Because too many people think “talks nice = good,” rather than judging actions.

Plattner loved going overseas to kill people. He volunteered to return when he didn’t need to. He listed a dozen wars he’d serve in — none of them WWII. He came from a well‑to‑do family while pretending otherwise, working a hobbyist oyster‑farmer job.

My criticism is not of Plattner himself but of:

1. The ease with which the white left embraced someone with no record

2. The money poured into a candidate with no team or experience

3. Jumping over a qualified woman like Janet Mills

4. The lack of contrition for picking unqualified figureheads who would never be extended similar opportunities if they were Black or women

It’s insane. And it’s a bad sign for the next 25 years of left politics.

Barry O’Connell: So if he were DSA and Black, easier to swallow. Got it.

Sneakers O’Toole: If he were DSA and Black, he wouldn’t be a candidate in Maine — the whitest state in the country.

Compare him to Mandani, Donna Edwards, Jill Carter, Adam Clayton Powell, John Lewis, John Conyers, Barbara Lee — people grounded in movements, not figureheads.

Barry O’Connell: You’re saying service to humans matters more than encouraging oyster sex.

Sneakers O’Toole: Absolutely. If that makes me tough on oysters, throw me in the gates of hell.

Sneakers O’Toole: Now, presidential politics. The O’Toole household is rooting for Chris Van Hollen if Harris doesn’t run. Quote:

“While I am loyal to Vice President Harris, I support the potential candidacy of Chris Van Hollen… He has shown support for Maryland’s federal workers, ending forever wars, pushing the party in a progressive direction… endorsing Abdul El‑Sayed… calling to end conflicts in Sudan… Whether he remains in the Senate, serves in the cabinet, or seeks the Oval Office, he has shown his merit.”

Barry O’Connell: You just say that stuff to annoy me.

Sneakers O’Toole: I said it to give you commentary for the 2028 Primary Watch group.

Sneakers O’Toole: I welcome the opportunity to edit this interview and clean it up. Sneakers O’Toole signing off. I’m not taking off the sneakers. Wishing you good health.