Worst. Headline. Ever.

The Sun's political round up story leads with a tantalizing headline -- "Growth drops a tad off radar with voters" -- and then goes on to disappoint. The headline has nothing to do with the story, which is really about a bunch of political fundraisers where growth may or may not have been discussed. If you're looking for trends in voter sentiment at political fundraisers, you're not going to find many other than "voters like free food" and "politicians are very friendly in person."

So, what did happen, aside from eating, drinking, handshaking, and forced conversing? Well, at Harry Dunbar's first fundraiser a jazz quartet performed, and the crowd only outnumbered the band by one--or two, if you count the security guard. Ouch. That's not a good showing at all, and as much as I disagree with Dunbar, I don't want to see him go down like this.

But was the culprit a lack of interest or support for his "slow growth" cause? Maybe not, his allies say.

Angela Beltram, leader of a successful drive to petition a comprehensive rezoning bill to referendum on November's ballot, was one of the five there, and she attributed the turnout to poor publicity, not a lack of concern about development.

She might be right, as Hayduke's usually aware of most fundraisers, and knew nothing of this one. (By the way, a word of advice to candidates--or their friends--send me your press releases and announcements. Even if I don't write about it specifically, I'll at least know about it and may make mention of it in a post).

Dunbar, meanwhile, seemed fairly upbeat and self-aware.

"I'm not discouraged at all," Dunbar said. "I know it takes hard work."

(Sounding very presidential.)

District 2 Democratic candidate Calvin Ball had about 70 folks at his fundraiser, while across town, Mary Kay Sigaty--Democrat for District 4--had about 60. Sigaty received a couple endorsements, including one from a Republican (kiss of death?), while her challenger, Joshua Feldmark, received Ken Ulman's endorsement, to no one's surprise.

Also included in the story is a mention of the lonely plight of District 13 Delegate Neil Quinter, who has been left off the incumbent ticket of Dels Shane Pendergrass and Frank Turner. In addition to Councilman Guy Guzzone, the Democratic alliance now includes State Senate candidate James Robey. Yes, it's a pretty strong ticket.

Needless to say, Quinter doesn't appear happy about being the odd man out, but one has to wonder if he didn't bring this upon himself. After all, Guzzone announced his candidacy only after Quinter decided to move up in the world and go after the seat being vacated by Congressman Ben Cardin, who has set his sights on the Most Exclusive Club in the World -- the U.S. Senate. Quinter reconsidered his candidacy as the congressional race grew overcrowded, but it was too late. Guzzone, Pendergrass, and Turner had already made their hats.