Dignitaries, elder statesmen and public leaders from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore packed the House chamber yesterday to listen to Gov. Martin O'Malley deliver his second state of the state address.
Even D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty -- who House Speaker Michael E. Busch inadvertently called "Michael Fenty" as he was ticking off the list of public leaders in attendance -- made the drive in from the District to hear Mr. O'Malley.
But Mr. Busch forgot to acknowledge one very important guest -- Democratic donor John P. Coale.
Mr. Coale loaned $500,000 to Mr. O'Malley during the waning days of his 2006. Many have said the last minute cash infusion helped carry the governor to victory over former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
Mr. Coale, who is married to Fox News commentator Greta Van Susteren, sat in the balcony watching the governor's speech with top O'Malley staffers.
