The question is, what does he bring to the ticket except for the color of his skin?
The Iraqi vet part might make some right-side moderates otherwise uncomfortable with O'Malley a bit more comfortable; he brings his base of support from PG County with him; and if Ehrlich picks another African-American running mate, presumably Brown neutralizes any potential gain Ehrlich might get from that.
This is a reference to the comment that the Baltimore Sun made about Michael Steele when he was announced as Ehrlich's running mate. Both men are well credentialed and qualified for the position. Of course, this time the Sun only points out Brown's actual qualifications. No attempt at the "balance" that they virtually always include in any article that should be positive about a Republican.