Tag: Bob Ehrlich

Guest column: Why Maryland needs Brian Murphy for Governor

I’m happy to lend my space to a friend for this important message.

I love my family. I love America. I love my freedom and the abundant opportunities to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I also love the great state of Maryland and I am a proud Republican.

In 2010, I fear for my children and grandchildren and what is being done to squash their opportunities for the same freedoms I have enjoyed all my life. I am saddened that Republicans need to identify whether they are conservatives, moderates, log cabins, fiscally responsible or whatever. But by the statements set forth in the 2008 Republican National Committee’s Platform, I am a Republican and not a subcategory thereof.

Marylanders have endured the decades of career politicians growing our government and wasting our family funds on entitlements we taxpayers don’t approve. In 1994, Republican Ellen Sauerbrey represented our ideals. As far as I am concerned she unofficially won the election for Governor. She did, however, lead the way for Republicans to be heard and simultaneously introduce conservatism for the first time in many years. We stayed down for another eight years – but, there was hope for victory. In the interim period, GOP Clubs were activated as were grassroots enthusiasm. There was a renewed energy. Voters registered as Republicans and our Party grew.

The stars were in alignment in 2002 and Bob Ehrlich, with his Republican values still intact, beat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend for Governor. This gave the boost needed to elevate our Party, our morale and our aspirations.

Today, friends ask me how I could direct Mr. Ehrlich’s campaign in Anne Arundel County knowing I was prolife and he was prochoice. Back then I looked at the two candidates and there was only one logical choice – Mr. Ehrlich. I did not abandon my values. For political expediency though, he came to forsake conservatives, even favoring Glendenning appointed judges over the objection of Party loyalists supporting two very conservative candidates (who won).

Despite spending lots of dollars, Mr. Ehrlich lost in 2006. Ironically, he was the only incumbent Republican Governor in America to lose. Voters felt he talked the talk, but he didn’t walk the walk. After the significant losses in 2006 and again nationally in 2008, Republicans in 2010 seem to have the wind at their back to rise up again. A major drawback, though, is that the Maryland Republican Party has abandoned their loyal conservative members.

A few officials and party hacks literally hijacked the will of the people! In their view they know what is best for you. This small group believes they, not you, should pick the candidate to represent Republicans in this gubernatorial election. Various newspapers and bloggers reported most of the biased chicanery that reared its ugly head at the last Republican Convention in Ocean City. But guess what? The party loyalists and grassroots said “NO” to the political hacks. Fortunately, Brian Murphy also said enough is enough and filed papers to run (even before Bob Ehrlich.)

And who is Brian Murphy? Brian Murphy has the vision, solid business experience and who demonstrates Republican values every day of his life. He’s a polished leader who also has an exceptional knowledge of Maryland budget issues and promotes pragmatic solutions to a much better path without raising taxes. That’s why he has the vote of my entire family and many others who previously donated time and money twice for Bob Ehrlich.  (Emphasis mine.)

Marianne Pelura is a Republican activist who was previously the Anne Arundel County campaign director for Bob Ehrlich.

Postscript: While Mrs. Pelura made some good points about why the establishment Republicans support Bob Ehrlich and not his more conservative opponent, I really wish she’d spent a little more time quantifying the benefits of Brian Murphy besides being the anti-Ehrlich Republican. Personally, while he’s not the completely ideal candidate I think his fresh approach of competing with our neighboring states for business and stance on issues where Bob Ehrlich differs little from Martin O’Malley – like the Second Amendment and being pro-life – makes Brian the better candidate in my view.

Obviously, the pragmatist would say that Murphy is underfunded and has no chance against Martin O’Malley. But I think they said that about a couple other politicians recently who defied long odds like Barack Obama (vs. Hillary Clinton) and Scott Brown (vs. the Kennedy legacy.) And at least I have someone to vote for rather than have to accept the lesser of two evils.

I could live with Bob Ehrlich as governor, particularly against Martin O’Malley. But I’d rather see Brian Murphy have a turn at the wheel and see what he can do for a state which he opined has unfair advantages over the rest.

Gazette article reasonably fair

Perhaps you didn’t know this – I know Julie Brewington picked up on it after I shared this among my Facebook friends – but I was quoted in yesterday’s Gazette regarding the Maryland GOP’s Rule 11 controversy which has been simmering since May. Reporter C. Benjamin Ford also spoke to fellow blogger Ann Corcoran of the Potomac Tea Party Report, who had the better quote, “What the tea party movement has opposed is this whole concept of sneaky politics, the backroom deals.”

That was my objection from the start. Why should three people make the decision best left to the voters of the First District (for Andy Harris) or the whole state (Bob Ehrlich)? Not saying they aren’t good candidates, but some may prefer the alternatives presented. It’s true that we may not to be able to “tip the scale” but we can send a message.

I just wish he’d quoted me right – I’m “barely left of militia” according to my Facebook page. I do say that tongue-in-cheek to an extent but I’m quite conservative in my outlook. So read the article and see whether you agree.

Let’s see if the tour comes here…

This ought to be good, since Bob Ehrlich wants to skip the primary and debate Martin O’Malley.

Today, Brian Murphy, Republican Candidate for Governor of Maryland, and Maryland illegal immigration stalwart, Frederick Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, announced their plans to conduct a statewide, townhall-style tour to address illegal immigration in Maryland.

Sheriff Jenkins has thrown his support behind Brian Murphy over primary opponent, Bob Ehrlich, because of Murphy’s commitment to curb illegal immigration when elected Governor. Murphy is the only candidate for Governor to support Arizona’s immigration law, known as SB 1070, in Maryland, and program 287(g), currently implemented by Jenkins.

“As Governor, I will be Maryland’s Chief Executive Officer and Maryland’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer. And I will never shy away from either obligation. Maryland needs a Governor who is committed to protecting Maryland citizens, and who will enforce the law,” said Murphy.

“Chuck has taken leadership in addressing illegal immigration in Maryland. Under my administration, Chuck’s participation in 287(g) will be emulated across the state. I look forward to working together as we propose solutions to our shared problems,” said Murphy.

“[Through our participation in 287(g)] we have taken over 650 criminals off the street of Frederick County. They have committed crimes, and they are in this country illegally,” said Jenkins. “Brian has my full support. During Bob Ehrlich’s four years as Governor, he did not address illegal immigration.”

All voters are welcome to come and hear Murphy and Jenkins discuss this important issue facing Maryland.  The first meeting will be held Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 7:00pm, at the American Legion located at 1450 Taney Avenue, Frederick, MD 21702-4336. (Emphasis in original.)

One of the issues which appeals to conservatives in Maryland Republican circles is cracking down on illegal immigration, and obviously Murphy is trying to capitalize on that sentiment. It will be interesting to see whether Murphy’s tour extends to the Eastern Shore.

Circling back around

Back in March I reviewed a book by Terri McCormick about rough-and-tumble Republican politics called What Sex Is A Republican? and while I give the book a fairly decent review I honestly didn’t think anything further of it until last night. (It’s probably got my record for longest post title since I placed the whole thing in the headline.)

However, it just so happened that my review was linked by Aaron Biterman at the Republican Liberty Caucus blog – unbeknownst to me Terri had tossed her hat back into the ring for the Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District seat she sought in 2006, losing in the primary.

I’m going to quote a small portion of Biterman’s remarks in the post, then come back around and ask a question.

(Eventual 2006 Republican nominee John) Gard and the National Republican Congressional Committee spent $2 million to defeat her in the primary. McCormick received 32 percent of the vote and established herself as a Republican maverick. The 32 percent she received represented the segment of Wisconsin voters frustrated with George W. Bush’s policies, pissed that the Republican Party Establishment refused to allow the independent-minded voters of the district decide the primary, and excited about Terri McCormick’s message.

Establishment Republican John Gard lost the General Election to Steve Kagen in 2006 and 2008. Some Wisconsin Republicans incorrectly blame Terri McCormick for his defeat in both election cycles.

Now, if I substituted the name Bob Ehrlich for John Gard, Brian Murphy for Terri McCormick, and Martin O’Malley for Steve Kagan and the results were similar, how much do you want to bet (rhetorically, of course, since they don’t allow internet gambling) that Brian Murphy will be a scapegoat too? I think Brian Murphy could very well get 32 percent or more, at least in some areas of the state.

In truth, I didn’t percieve in my reading of McCormick’s tome that she was exceptionally conservative – and perhaps it was because she was writing it to a more general audience of people who are at the beginning stages of getting politically involved – but in light of the fight she put up to bring charter schools to Wisconsin she at least came down on the right side of a key issue.

In the meantime, I may have another book review to write. In truth, the purpose behind writing the first one was twofold: one, I was asked to, and secondly I intended it for publication at Liberty Features – but apparently they stopped doing book reviews just as I read McCormick’s book. But someone saw it and I suppose that’s what counts.

Perhaps once the primary season wears down and I have fewer campaigns to track I’ll have a review of the book I just got from fellow Red County writer (and Marylander) Ron Miller. I’ve read the beginnings of it and the book is promising. In the meantime, it looks like sort of a day off from campaign stuff as it’s Friday the Thirteenth so I’ll enjoy it.

Thoughts on Murphy v. Ehrlich

In looking up and down my Facebook page recently, I’ve noticed that the tenor of the GOP primary for governor has changed markedly. Seems to me those people who were huge Ehrlich supporters are beginning to get a little nervous and looking over their shoulder at the allies of Brian Murphy. I have no idea why since they’re so certain Bob will win the primary, right?

Of course, the attitude also extends to their treatment of Sarah Palin after she endorsed Murphy. I realize that some of the bloom has come off the rose in the last two years but when you see a screeching harangue telling Sarah to “stay out of Maryland politics” you would think Murphy just got the coveted Barack Obama endorsement. I’m sorry she didn’t pick your guy but I didn’t complain about Mitt Romney meddling in our state and endorsing Bob Ehrlich.

Indeed, I have a preference for Brian Murphy, having now heard both speak in my presence during this campaign. (We’ll count our Lincoln Day Dinner too even though it occurred a few days before he made it official.) I say preference because Bob Ehrlich is also far superior to Martin O’Malley.

But the primary is and should be about VOTERS selecting the best candidate. Needless to say, the revocation of Rule 11 for Bob Ehrlich and Andy Harris upset me greatly. In the case of Harris, at least it can be said that Rob Fisher knew going in that Harris was going to run again since he announced the fact way back in January (Fisher jumped into the race in April.) On the other hand, when Murphy got in his chief opponent was Larry Hogan. Yes, the rumors were flying that Bob would return but he took his sweet time drawing it out.

Instead, the Maryland GOP establishment had planned this summer to be a coronation tour for Ehrlich. The convention was all about him, but as I wrote back then:

Yes, it can be argued that Murphy has little chance but at least he put his name on the line while someone was dithering about which race to run in – if he would run at all. I think we owed him the opportunity to speak, or else be neutral in the race and find a different keynote speaker.

Looks like there’s a little competition here despite the best efforts of the Maryland Republican Party establishment to pick winners and losers.

Then again, when it comes to the Maryland Republican Party establishment – well, we don’t see eye to eye too often. Longtime readers may recall this fiasco, but remember how well that whole McCain thing worked out? Hey, that brings me back to Sarah Palin!

(Oh, and just for the record my initial choice for the GOP nomination was Rep. Duncan Hunter of California. McCain was WAY down the list. Maybe if they listened to me then…)

Obviously when Sarah Palin endorsed Brian Murphy the reaction from the Ehrlich camp was to belittle Palin as much as possible. Bob Ehrlich as much as said so in his remarks on the situation and Mark Newgent of Red Maryland, a bastion of Murphy-bashing, darkly intoned that Palin’s endorsement was an inside job by Martin O’Malley. Mark, I respect your work but you’re giving Martin way too much credit for being too clever by half. Do I need to come back and set you folks straight?

As I said at the start, I have nothing against Bob Ehrlich – if he wins the primary, he’s got my vote in November (presuming he does nothing totally foolish like veer to O’Malley’s left on issues.) But I think it would be enlightening to see the two of them battle it out in a debate and let the GOP voters decide who’s best – of course that will never happen because the Ehrlich campaign would be afraid to give O’Malley ammunition regarding Bob’s record (hint to Ehrlich campaign: I’m sure they’ve already dug it up and will use it. They’ve already gone negative!)

There’s no doubt I’d like to see a Republican Party united as of September 15. In the end, it seems to me that all this sniping by Ehrlich backers is insurance in case the worst happens and Martin O’Malley beats him in November – hello, scapegoat, thy name is Brian Murphy. But they better not say that around me because I’ll call them on it.

Seldom is a primary season remembered by voters in November – the lone exception may be Andy Harris in 2008 and guess what? It was because the GOP was divided by a bitter primary and a sour grapes loser. I don’t see Brian Murphy or his supporters playing that role and I damn well hope Ehrlich’s backers don’t play that game if Murphy wins. But the Maryland GOP may be complicit because they shielded Bob from having to work as hard on building his campaign over the summer.

Rasmussen Poll: Ehrlich climbs ahead

After slowly gaining on Martin O’Malley through polls taken in February, April, and June, the latest Rasmussen Poll of Maryland voters placed Bob Ehrlich ahead of incumbent Governor Martin O’Malley for the first time this year by a 47% to 46% margin.

And in even better news for the Ehrlich camp, support among Republicans for Ehrlich is far stronger than Democrats for O’Malley. 87 percent of Republicans favor Bob, while O’Malley can only claim support of 71% of Democrats – over 1 in 5 Democrats favor Ehrlich. Unaffiliated voters also prefer Ehrlich by 15 points.

(continued on my Examiner.com page…)

A thoughtful treatise

A Western Maryland blogger and TEA Party activist raises some good questions about Bob Ehrlich (h/t Blue Ridge Forum).

While the TEA Party movement locally may be slowly fading away as a vehicle of protest (no July 4th TEA Party was scheduled in Salisbury this year and attendance at April’s event was disappointingly low) there’s still that simmering resentment at party politics in general and the GOP in particular.

It’s expressed in an undercurrent of backlash among certain conservative voters against Bob Ehrlich and Eric Wargotz, who are perceived by them as the “establishment” Republican candidates. Instead, they’re gravitating toward upstart Brian Murphy in the GOP primary for governor as Murphy doesn’t seem to be ashamed of having conservative views. The same goes for Jim Rutledge (and perhaps one or two others on a lesser scale) for the U.S. Senate nod.

The problem for Republicans is that they have a group who’s been proven willing to fight for goals they believe in, but may be put off by the more centrist candidates. Many TEA Partiers (including myself) draw their inspiration from Ronald Reagan, who was thought by the conventional wisdom and many in blueblood country club Republican circles to be unelectable. They had their way in 1976 and their choice (President Ford) lost the election.

But then 1980 came along and their candidate (George H.W. Bush) lost the nomination to Reagan, who as we know blew out President Carter in the election. When Bush was elected in 1988 on Reagan’s coattails, he caved to the centrists – “read my lips,” anyone? – and lost to Bill Clinton. That happened in part because H. Ross Perot, who was more appealing to conservatives, ran on the Reform Party ticket. (Hey, I voted for him in 1992 as well. But I talked my ex-spouse out of voting for Clinton into voting for him so it was a wash.)

I know many of you see this as ancient history, but there are a lot of people around my age who fondly remember the Reagan years and wonder what happened to that America. I know I do.

Right now, as far as our economy goes, we are in a situation not unlike the situation 28 years ago in which Reagan found himself – high unemployment and a stagnant economy. But with Reagan we were on the upswing from the dismal Carter years and beginning about 1983 we began a roaring era of prosperity. I wouldn’t bet on that given the current administration and their economic prescriptions.

So people are pretty upset – mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore. But the perception has been cleverly placed in people’s minds that the GOP was to blame for the current economic situation. Perhaps they’re right, but it wasn’t conservative economic policies which put us into this malaise – instead it was catering to centrists and liberals who thought only government could dig us out of the hole.

And TEA Party participants believe this as well, so a centrist Republican may say all the right things but not everyone will buy what they’re selling. Once the ballot is set, I’ll be the guy asking the questions.

O’Malley slinging the oily mud

Perhaps I don’t listen to the correct radio stations since I haven’t heard the spot in question, but Martin O’Malley got the ball rolling on nasty campaigning by producing a radio commercial tying Bob Ehrlich to Big Oil. (Maybe that ball O’Malley started rolling is a tar ball.)

Obviously O’Malley is playing to both his radical environmental base and upon the fears of a Deepwater Horizon-style catastrophe fouling the waters of Chesapeake Bay.

(continued on my Examiner.com page…)

Friday night videos – episode 37

Once again it’s time for the interesting stuff I run across in the course of a week. Let’s begin with a video you may have already seen. I’m putting it up because it’s a case of a Congressman who thinks he’s above everyone else.

Let’s hope he’s not above his opponent after the votes are counted Election Day. Let’s also hope that the subject of the next video has to turn over her Speaker’s gavel in January. Human Events is moving quickly into the realm of video – this is the first of two I use from them and it features one of my favorite Congressmen, Rep. Mike Pence.

Speaking of slimy and dishonest politicians, the subject of the next video is our very own governor, Martin O’Malley. Bob Ehrlich calls him out on a radio ad the O’Malley campaign recently produced.

The slime theme continues as I turn your attention to the Deepwater Horizon disaster and its handling. First is the assessment of Obama’s performance from a man I respect (and would have voted for had he survived long enough in his Presidential primaries,) Steve Forbes.

That was the second Human Events video. Another video from Americans for Limited Government details the first 45 days after the accident.

I vote for the second option myself. The next one is something a little different, and considering it was forwarded to me from political gadfly Daniel “the Wig Man” Vovak, isn’t something I would have looked for. But this could be a nice little comedy.

Last but not least is the local band Vivid Season and their take on Seether’s ‘Remedy.’ I throw it in because I like the song.

Once again, thanks for following this week’s edition of FNV and it should be back next week!

New Rasmussen Poll has governor’s race as dead heat

Late yesterday afternoon Rasmussen released its latest polling of the Maryland governor’s race and the results should be encouraging to Bob Ehrlich.

After trailing in two previous polls Ehrlich has closed the gap and now sits in a virtual tie with incumbent Martin O’Malley 45 percent to 45 percent.

(continued on my Examiner.com page…)

The anti-tax man

While it’s not quite “one for you, nineteen for me” yet here in Maryland, one perception among business owners who remain in the state after the last four years of being battered by a sluggish economy and government less than friendly to their interests is that taxes are simply too high.

GOP frontrunner Bob Ehrlich already promised his effort to repeal the one penny per dollar increase in the state sales tax adopted in 2007 while Libertarian Susan Gaztanaga pledges to phase the sales tax out entirely over 8 years, but fellow Republican contestant Brian Murphy is going farther down the anti-tax road.

In a series of press releases this month, Murphy has challenged his two main opponents to refrain from raising taxes, vowed to cap property tax rate increases, and revealed a plan to eliminate the corporate income tax entirely. Taken at face value, one would be led to assume that Murphy would also have to make deep cuts in Maryland’s budget.

(continued on my Examiner.com page…)

A rocky road to recovery

First of all I’d like to congratulate Julie Bykowicz and the Sun for writing an article on the Maryland GOP which omits most of the backhanded complements and snide remarks. But, as always, the party’s newfound success begs the question: does it have too many eggs in Bob Ehrlich’s basket?

There’s little doubt that, for better or worse, Bob Ehrlich has been cast as the party’s savior in 2010. Yes, there are some conservatives who don’t care for some of Ehrlich’s actions while he was governor and Bob has a game but underfunded challenger in political newcomer Brian Murphy – as Julie points out, former GOP chair Jim Pelura is in his corner.

(continued on my Examiner.com page…)