Rumorgate (MD4Bush)

You've heard of Watergate. Now there's "Rumorgate," a cut-rate version of the original "who done it."

In this melodrama, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley plays the role of innocent victim of a whispering campaign. The alleged perpetrator: The Evil Ehrlich Empire.

Gov. Bob Ehrlich says he's innocent. He promptly fired the lout who sent e-mail messages to a right-wing Republican Web site questioning O'Malley's fidelity.

Further evidence came when it was revealed the rumor-monger called himself "the Prince of Darkness" and loved wallowing in the slimy underbelly of politics.

Yet this Ehrlich acolyte wasn't planting seeds of doubt among Democrats who might abandon the mayor. He just repeated the O'Malley rumors on a right-wing Web site, going by the name of "ncpac."

You won't find many Democrats on that Web site - except for "Md4Bush," the handle of the person who lured "ncpac" into a discussion about O'Malley's alleged dalliances. "Md4Bush" had inside knowledge of the Washington Post's reporting on "Rumorgate," even knowing when the story was about to be published.

"Md4Bush" also released the incriminating e-mails received from "ncpac" simultaneously with publication of the story.

Was this a set-up job to make Ehrlich look like the villain? All we have are tantalizing hints.

Why were gloating supporters quick to claim after O'Malley's "I am faithful" press conference that Ehrlich's electability in 2006 has been destroyed?

Why did a former aide to the mayor dispatch an e-mail to O'Malley backers urging them to call right-wing radio talk shows and denounce Ehrlich?

The most curious thing about this e-mail was the sender's address: Maryland State Democratic Party headquarters.

If this caper was supposed put to rest the rumor, which has been circulating for close to 10 years, it didn't work.

Baltimore's handsome mayor sings in an Irish rock band. He wears a muscle T-shirt and performs at boozy music halls. Whispering campaigns are inevitable.

His dilemma is that you can't quash a rumor. Holding a press conference and proclaiming your faithfulness no longer suffices. In an age of skepticism toward public officials, doubters think the worst of a politician.

By going public, O'Malley breathed new life into the rumors: radio commentators now feel free to talk about this issue. What had been social gossip is now grist for high-volume talk shows.

Ehrlich is stained as well. He kept a nefarious operative on his congressional payroll, then gave him a series of state jobs where he may have had a hand in firing Democratic workers.

The governor got caught in the same wave of public cynicism that washed over O'Malley.

Here's the really bad news: More mud slinging may lie ahead in the 20 months until Election Day.

No talk of the rumors in the upcoming interview. Here's a transcript from the WBAL website:

Sade Baderinwa Talks About Accident That Nearly Killed Her

NEW YORK -- For almost three years, Baltimore woke up to Sade Baderinwa reading the news on 11 News Today. She left Baltimore to pursue her dream, but quickly found herself in a nightmare.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Mindy Basara recently sat down with Sade at her New York City apartment to talk about the hit and run accident that nearly killed her and her challenging recovery.

"This particular night, it was a rainy night and we were covering flooding in Hackensack, N.J.," Sade said.

It was a night that changed her forever. Sade was standing by the side of the road, putting together a story for the 11 O'Clock News on WABC in New York -- a typical assignment for a television reporter. A hit-and-run driver turned that average assignment into a near-tragedy.

"I remember at the last second seeing this car come out of nowhere and hit me," Sade said. "And the driver just kept going. I flew ten feet into the air and landed in some water. I had one photographer who thought I was dead -- who saw me in the puddle of water. And the other photographer took off on foot after the driver."

The driver got away and Sade -- unconscious and seriously hurt -- was rushed to the hospital.

"I had a fracture of the arm. I had my knee completely rebuilt and I had some other injuries that I don't want to go into," Sade said. "It was a serious accident -- life-altering, I would say."

Sade said her recovery has been excruciating. She had to learn to walk again, and still struggles to use her left arm that is now held together by a metal rod.

"For months, I was unable to move. I was strapped with my arm and my leg. I was in extreme pain," she said. "Now I just have to get use of my arm again."

Sade spends hours each day in physical therapy and has been able to resume her role as 5 p.m. anchor. As for reporting, her body is just not up for it yet. She credited the overwhelming support of friends, family and viewers for helping her get past the pain. And despite her ordeal, her attitude is positive and forward-thinking.

"This has been a long ordeal, a long journey, and I am proud to say that I've gotten through this," Sade said. "In fact, I have closed this chapter and I'm just ready for new and better things."

The hit and run driver was never caught.

Our conversation with Sade continues Friday morning on 11 News Today. Sade talks about why she left Baltimore, her new life in New York and whether kids are in her future. Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and 11 News for the latest entertainment updates.

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