20061206 Senator Allan Kittleman named Minority Whip

Senator Allan Kittleman named Minority Whip

December 6th, 2006

I had the opportunity to talk on the phone several weeks ago with Senator Allan H. Kittleman, (R) Dist. 9, Carroll and Howard Cos. about the upcoming organizational meetings of the Maryland Senate GOP Caucus.

In that conversation we talked about how Maryland Republicans will need to work as cooperatively as possible with the Democrats across the aisle, in light of the results of the last election.

Senator Kittleman elaborated as to how Maryland Republicans will need to honor their principles, but never-the-less, work as cooperatively as possible with the Dems.

I was very pleased to get an e-mail from Senator Kittleman, Wednesday afternoon, December 6th, 2006, that he was selected to be the Minority Whip for the GOP in the upcoming session of the Maryland General Assembly.

This is great news for Maryland, the Republican Party and Maryland’s citizens - - and, as a matter of fact, for Governor-elect Martin O’Malley.

Hopefully, Governor-elect O’Malley will have Senator Kittleman upstairs on the second floor of the Maryland Statehouse as soon as possible and frequently throughout the upcoming session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Under the administration of the previous Democratic governor, Parris N. Glendening, a Republican was hardly ever (read: probably never) invited upstairs to the governor’s office to discuss and coordinate the issues and pressing matters. It was unfortunate and a terrible mistake.

Although Senator Kittleman is not known for suffering fools and idiots easily, we are fortunate having in Senator Kittleman, a statesperson who knows the issues and is very capable in articulating those views cooperatively in a compelling and persuasive manner. And yet, a person who can be quite assertive about Republican values when the need arises.

Senator Kittleman related in his e-mail: “As we discussed a couple of weeks ago, the Senate GOP Caucus met yesterday to elect new leadership. I told you that I would get back to you once the decisions were made. Well, one decision was made; I was selected as the next Minority Whip. The Caucus is still working on selecting a new Minority Leader. We will be meeting again in a week or so to revisit that issue.”

However, we will have to wait another week or so before we know who will be the next Minority Leader as the Republicans are at a standstill in choosing between Senator David Brinkley, (R) Frederick County (pictured left,) and Senator Andrew Harris, (R) Baltimore and Harford Cos (pictured below.)

Senator Harris is an admired elected official who has served Republican interests and values well in the past, in his capacity as Minority Whip; however, many of us are hoping that Senator Brinkley will prevail.

Senator Brinkley is well respected on both sides of the aisle and has many of the leadership capabilities similar to Senator Kittleman.

It cannot be overstated that new leadership is necessary to move conservative values forward in a Maryland General Assembly that is dominated by the Dems, many of whom have no interest in working with the Republicans.

Senator Brinkley has what it takes to verbalize conservative values in a manner that will get the attention of the Democratic leadership who may be very well disposed to respect his knowledge of the issues and positive relationship with the rank and file Democrats.

We wish Senator Harris well in other future endeavors; however, we look forward to him throwing his support behind new leadership and fresh ideas – in the person of Senator Brinkley.

Meanwhile, a big thanks goes out to Senator Kittleman for taking the time to keep us in the loop and in the know.

Kevin