Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Elections 2010 MD Governor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections 2010 MD Governor. Show all posts

Friday, December 03, 2010

Kevin Dayhoff: Bob Ehrlich’s loss in MD has silver lining for MD GOP

Kevin Dayhoff: Bob Ehrlich’s loss in MD has silver lining for MD GOP


Bob Ehrlich’s loss in MD has silver lining for MD GOP



That is the contention of Kevin Dayhoff writing in The Tentacle today.   Mr. Dayhoff’s good column titled “The Republican Farm Team” begins with a discussion of the successes achieved by Republicans in most states.

In the days following the November 2 state and national midterm elections, pundits have superficially opined at great length as to the depth and meaning of the phoenix-like resurgence of the Republican Party on the national level.

Beyond the media bright lights and glamour focused on the national contests, the number of Republicans voted into local and state offices lends us a better fundamental nuts and bolts gauge for the future of the GOP.
Read the stats on what was achieved.  This is a good article to keep for future reference.
Dayhoff then tells us what he and others think went wrong in Maryland.  Many believe it all boils down to putting all of one’s eggs in the ‘rock star’ basket—the rock star being Bob Ehrlich (in some peoples’ eyes!)… 
Posted by: acorcoran | December 1, 2010

*****

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

A statement on the election from Carroll for Ehrlich

Carroll for Ehrlich
Thank You
 
While Team Ehrlich is saddened by the loss yesterday, we couldn't be more proud of our volunteers in Carroll County.  A big THANK YOU goes out to everyone for taking time to phone bank, attend an event, go door-to-door, or display a yard sign.  Bob Ehrlich truly appreciated your support and hard work.

Warmest regards,
Amanda Miller
Authority:  Marylanders for Bob Ehrlich; H. Terry Hancock, Treasurer

A statement on the election from Carroll for Ehrlich
*****

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Baltimore Sun: O’Malley wins second term as governor


Mikulski, 6 U.S. House incumbents also re-elected; Arundel Mills slots proposal, Kratovil-Harris race results still to come...  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-election-web-updates-20101102,0,7269908.story
Gov. Martin O'Malley has won a second term in Annapolis, handing Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. a second consecutive statewide defeat, the Associated Press is reporting.
The outcome indicates that voters in Maryland, with twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans, are bucking a nationwide hostility toward incumbent Democrats.
U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, a Democrat, and five Democratic members of the House of Representative coasted to re-election. Winners included Elijah E. Cummings, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger,John Sarbanes, Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen.
The state's lone Republican congressman, Roscoe Bartlett, also won another two-year term...  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-election-web-updates-20101102,0,7269908.story

*****

Monday, October 25, 2010

Gazette:The case for Ehrlich by Blair Lee

Friday, Oct. 22, 2010
The case for Ehrlich
My Maryland | Blair Lee

Maryland's governor's race is not about jobs (governors don't create jobs; healthy economies do).

Nor is it about slots, BGE rates, charter schools or the tuition freeze (a political hoax).

Nor is it about illegal immigration (O'Malley calls them "new Americans," Ehrlich calls them "illegals"), gay marriage (O'Malley is for, Ehrlich is against), the death penalty (O'Malley is against, Ehrlich is for) or tort reform (O'Malley is against, Ehrlich is for).

Nor is it about attack ads, phony ballots, sending a message to Obama or The Washington Post's daily hatchet job on Ehrlich (just compare this week's bios on O'Malley and Ehrlich. My God, how blatantly biased can a newspaper be?).

On a single day, every four years, we citizens get to touch the ship of state's steering wheel. We set the ship's future course by electing the captain and crew. On that single day we govern them; the rest of the time they govern us.

Our big chance is on Nov. 2, Election Day, when we irrevocably determine Maryland's fiscal fate by picking the people who will manage the state's budget crisis…http://www.gazette.net/stories/10222010/polilee165421_32541.php

20101022 BLee Gaz The case for Ehrlich

Gazette:The case for Ehrlich by Blair Lee

*****

Saturday, October 23, 2010

The Response from Ehrlich

The Response from Ehrlich

October 23, 2010

In response to all the charges and counter-charges and revisionist history evident in this year’s Maryland gubernatorial contest, such as those suggested by a commenter on Blair Lee’s October 22, 2010 column, “A Case for Ehrlich,” I thought that perhaps voters may want to hear from Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich himself – May 27, 2010

Mr. Lee’s opinion piece may be found here: http://www.gazette.net/stories/10222010/polilee165421_32541.php

“For example, a commenter responded to Mr. Lee’s column: “Blair Lee's case for Bob Ehrlich is full of holes.  Bob Ehrlich is not the fiscally responsible choice.  Instead of telling us how he would close next year's $1.1 billion budget gap, Bob Ehrlich made campaign promises that would nearly double that gap, including a promise he can't keep to roll back the sales tax.

“And Bob Ehrlich's gubernatorial record contradicts everything Blair Lee says. In easier economic times:





 - Steve Lebowitz, Annapolis

Many of us cannot wait for this ugly election to be over.  For those of us who were actually there or personally witnessed many of the events and decisions that are being characterized or mischaracterized out of context, we are in total disbelief that voters may be left with such inaccurate information as a result of negative campaigning, in order to make a decision on November 2, 2010 as to whom should lead the state of Maryland for the next four years.

Mr. Lee had written:


Friday, Oct. 22, 2010
The case for Ehrlich
My Maryland | Blair Lee

Maryland's governor's race is not about jobs (governors don't create jobs; healthy economies do).

Nor is it about slots, BGE rates, charter schools or the tuition freeze (a political hoax).

Nor is it about illegal immigration (O'Malley calls them "new Americans," Ehrlich calls them "illegals"), gay marriage (O'Malley is for, Ehrlich is against), the death penalty (O'Malley is against, Ehrlich is for) or tort reform (O'Malley is against, Ehrlich is for).

Nor is it about attack ads, phony ballots, sending a message to Obama or The Washington Post's daily hatchet job on Ehrlich (just compare this week's bios on O'Malley and Ehrlich. My God, how blatantly biased can a newspaper be?).

On a single day, every four years, we citizens get to touch the ship of state's steering wheel. We set the ship's future course by electing the captain and crew. On that single day we govern them; the rest of the time they govern us.

Our big chance is on Nov. 2, Election Day, when we irrevocably determine Maryland's fiscal fate by picking the people who will manage the state's budget crisis… http://www.gazette.net/stories/10222010/polilee165421_32541.php

20100527 Response from Ehrlich
20101022 BLee Gaz The case for Ehrlich

Ehrlich, voting, November2, 2010, Blair Lee, Gazette,


The Response from Ehrlich                                                                                                                        

*****

Monday, October 11, 2010

Ehrlich greets 150 at fundraising event in Westminster Sunday




The event was organized by retiring five-term Maryland Dist. 5 Republican Sen. Larry Haines …  “Ehrlich greets 150 at fundraising event in Westminster Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010” “This (Carroll County) is the promised land (for Ehrlich,)” said Haines, who introduced Ehrlich and his family to the crowd.  Haines focused on the economy in his opening remarks.  Current Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley “can’t fix it.  But Bob Ehrlich can,” said Haines, who went on to say that in three weeks, the voters can give Ehrlich that opportunity…  October 10, 2010 photo by George Welty

Former House of Delegates member and candidate for Haines’ former Maryland Dist. 5 seat, Joe Getty…  “Ehrlich greets 150 at fundraising event in Westminster Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010”  Getty then took the podium to introduce the many elected officials and candidates for office in the room, as well as a number of business and civic leaders; who time off from a beautiful fall Maryland Sunday to rub elbows with Ehrlich and his family…  October 10, 2010 photo by George Welty
Former House of Delegates member and candidate for Haines’ former Maryland Dist. 5 seat, Joe Getty…  “Ehrlich greets 150 at fundraising event in Westminster Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010” Photo by George Welty October 10, 2010
Former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich.  October 10, 2010 photo by George Welty
Retiring five-term Maryland Dist. 5 Republican Sen. Larry Haines Photo by George Welty October 10, 2010
Former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich.  October 10, 2010 photo by George Welty
Former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich.  October 10, 2010 photo by George Welty
Former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich.  October 10, 2010 photo by George Welty
(Left to Right) Former House of Delegates member and candidate for Haines’ former Maryland Dist. 5 seat, Joe Getty, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, and retiring five-term Maryland Dist. 5 Republican Sen. Larry Haines Photo by George Welty October 10, 2010
Ehrlich greets 150 at fundraising event in Westminster Sunday

Crowd urged to help him win over 80 percent of the vote in Carroll County in the general election on November 2.

Monday, 10/11/10 “Ehrlich greets 150 at fundraising event in Westminster Sunday” October 10, 2010 - - Updated October 27, 2010 with pictures by George Welty: http://georgewelty.blogspot.com/

For more pictures by George Welty: http://georgewelty.blogspot.com/ from this event, go to: http://georgewelty.blogspot.com/2010/10/bob-ehrlich.html


With just three critical weeks left before the general election, Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert L. Ehrlich made yet another in a series of campaign stops in Carroll County early Sunday evening.  The event was billed as a “10-10-10 Rally for Bob Ehrlich.”

Ehrlich spoke for about 30 minutes at the fundraising event with 150 enthusiastic supporters at the Best Western Hotel in Westminster, where he urged the crowd to help him win over 80 percent of the vote in Carroll County in the general election on November 2.

The event was organized by retiring five-term Maryland Dist. 5 Republican Sen. Larry Haines, with some help by former House of Delegates member and candidate for Haines’ former seat, Joe Getty.

Getty and former Maryland Governor Ehrlich worked together before when he served as policy director in the Governor’s Office when Ehrlich served as governor from 2003 to 2007.

Ehrlich, accompanied by his family, made their way to Westminster immediately after the Baltimore Ravens 31-17 victory over the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium earlier in the day.

“This (Carroll County) is the promised land (for Ehrlich,)” said Haines, who introduced Ehrlich and his family to the crowd.  Haines focused on the economy in his opening remarks.  Current Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley “can’t fix it.  But Bob Ehrlich can,” said Haines, who went on to say that in three weeks, the voters can give Ehrlich that opportunity…

Getty then took the podium to introduce the many elected officials and candidates for office in the room, as well as a number of business and civic leaders; who time off from a beautiful fall Maryland Sunday to rub elbows with Ehrlich and his family.

Carroll County commissioner candidates, Dave Roush, Dist. 3, Robin Frazier, Dist. 1, and Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker, Dist. 2, were in attendance.  Also attending were outgoing County Commissioner Mike Zimmer and retiring Maryland Dist. 5A Del. Tanya Shewell, along with a candidate for her former seat, Justin Ready; as well as Mount Airy town council members David Blais and Wendy Peters.


Ehrlich introduced his family, thanked Haines and Getty for their prior service and made a special mention of Amanda Boyd Miller, who has served as the chair of Ehrlich Carroll County campaign efforts.

In his remarks, Ehrlich took the opportunity to talk about why he entered the gubernatorial contest, noting that only seven Republican governors have served in the Maryland Statehouse.  “I’m the only living Republican governor” who has served…, said Ehrlich.

Ehrlich noted that many folks have asked him “What got me into this…  What changed your mind,” to run again for office after his defeat to O’Malley in the 2006 gubernatorial contest.

From 2005 to 2008 the electorate said, it wanted more taxes, more government spending, more bureaucracy, and more government regulation, said Ehrlich.  That was what the message was…  That’s what elected officials thought was (the message) the American public was sending, said Ehrlich.

Then around 2009, Ehrlich noted that he was attending meetings in places like Montgomery County, “expecting maybe 60” people; only there would hundreds of people there.  “Small business people; people who had never been in politics before…”

However, “Something sent them over… something on the federal or state level…”  And they were saying “enough.”  Then came the governor’s race in Virginia, which was won by a Republican…  And then New Jersey, a traditional Democrat stronghold, chose a Republican governor, “And I began to really take notice,” of a change in the mood of the voters, said Ehrlich.

“Then (former U.S. Senator) Ted Kennedy’s seat in Massachusetts went to a Republican” and that coupled with the New Jersey governor’s race results; and “we started to think this was news-worthy.”


Ehrlich mentioned his opponent very little during his remarks, except to note that in the “bluest state in the country,” his opponent started in March with a campaign, not on his record for the previous four years, but began by running on “Bob Ehrlich is a bad guy…  I was to blame for the Louisiana (Gulf of Mexico) oil spill.  It has gotten goofier ever since,” laughed Ehrlich.

“O’Malley is not running on his record.  He has no record to run on except raising taxes,” quipped Ehrlich.  “We want our lives back.  We are not anti-government.  The Marine Corps is the government.  Maryland State Police is government.  We’re for appropriate government.

“Our secret plan for the next 23 days (until the general election) is to really work hard…  Then on November 3rd, (the day after the election) is my time and I’ll get back to work,” said Ehrlich.

After his remarks, Ehrlich spent over 30 minutes mingling with those who attended the event; having his picture taken and going over campaign talking points.

After the event, Getty noted that the fundraiser was scheduled to help Ehrlich fund the last three weeks of running television ads in the Baltimore – Washington market, “one of the most expensive in the country,” noted Getty.

Over the last week, Ehrlich’s opponent has continued to wage an all-out media blitz campaign…, said Getty.

It is important that we help raise funds to respond to these attacks.  “It’ll cost $1 million a week from now until the election,” said Getty who acknowledged a large campaign-funding disadvantage to O’Malley, which “allowed him (the current governor) to go on TV early. 

“Governor O’Malley has a 3 to 1 advantage,” said Getty as he asked rhetorically about media reports that O’Malley still has $9 million left to spend in his war chest on additional television ads.

Meanwhile, later today, O’Malley and Ehrlich are scheduled to participate in their first gubernatorial debate of the election contest.  “I’m looking forward to it,” said Ehrlich as he gathered his family for the trip home.

####

Related:

Ehrlich Events in Carroll County

By Getty for Senate on Saturday, October 9, 2010


The next few days offer great local opportunities to be engaged in the Bob Ehrlich for Governor campaign.

On Sunday (the day before the first Gubernatorial debate), Senator Larry Haines is hosting a major fundraiser and Rally for Bob Ehrlich at the Best Western Westminster.  We will hear from Governor Ehrlich about his views on the status of the campaign as he prepares for Monday's debate. Call me if you need information about this event (Joe Getty mobile phone 443 744 9338).

On Monday, volunteers and friends of the Getty for Senate campaign are gathering for a Debate Watch Party to watch the televised debate together at Greenmount Station Restaurant (1631 North Main Street, Hampstead). Come at 6 pm if you want to join us for dinner (dutch treat - separate checks). At 7 pm, we will watch the WJZ-TV debate on the Greenmount Station widescreen television and I will offer commentary from my perspective of having attended the 2002 debates.

On Tuesday morning, you can hear post-debate analysis directly from Governor Ehrlich at the Senator David Brinkley Breakfast Fundraiser (October 12 - 7:30 a.m.; Dutch's Daughter, 581 Himes Avenue, Frederick; $125 per person; Contact: David Brinkley 301-698-9206).

Kevin Dayhoff Photo by George Welty October 10, 2010
Don't miss out in participating in one of these great opportunities. 

------
Also: Early voting for the November 2, 2010 Maryland General Election begins Friday October 22, 2010 through Thursday, October 28, 2010, except for Sunday, October 24th when early voting centers are closed.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Bob Ehrlich for Maryland campaign video: “Remember”

The Bob Ehrlich for Maryland campaign video: “Remember”


September 24th, 2010



The Bob Ehrlich for Maryland campaign released the following television advertisement, which will air in the Baltimore market beginning this weekend.  The ad focuses on Martin O’Malley’s legacy of misleading Marylanders, from his 2006 campaign statements regarding electricity rates in Baltimore to his more recent statements about Maryland’s economy. 

EHRLICH ANNOUNCER: “Remember this promise?”

2006 MARTIN O’MALLEY CAMPAIGN AD: “Martin O’Malley – taking on BG&E to stop the rate hikes.”

EHRLICH ANNOUNCER: “Never happened.  Your bill went up 72%.

“And O’Malley gave the bureaucrat who approved the increase a huge raise.

“Now Martin O’Malley promises we’re moving forward.

O’MALLEY VIDEO FOOTAGE: “The fact of the matter is our economy is doing much better now.”

EHRLICH ANNOUNCER: “Really?  Nearly 7,000 Marylanders lost their jobs last month.” 

“Four years ago Martin O’Malley mislead us. Now he’s just making stuff up.”

BACKGROUND
The (Baltimore) Sun’s June 10, 2007 article “Did The Sun go too easy on BGE rates, O’Malley?” states that, “combined with the 15 percent rate increase approved by the General Assembly in 2006, BGE customers would now be paying the 72 percent that produced such an outcry when the prospect surfaced last year.”

The Martin O’Malley campaign for Governor in 2006 aired a television advertisement entitled “Tough,” which specifically states that, as Governor, Martin O’Malley will “lower utility rates.” The ad can be viewed on Martin O’Malley’s Youtube page by clicking here.

The (Baltimore) Sun’s February 24, 2007 article “Beleagered PSC Member resigns” states that Public Service Commission Chairman Steven Larsen would be paid $185,000, even though his predecessor was paid $117,000. That’s a $68,000 raise.

The (Baltimore) Sun’s January 14, 2008 article “O’Malley to offer energy package” states that O’Malley, “campaigned on the unfulfilled promise of undoing a 72 percent electricity rate increase for 1.2 million Baltimore Gas & Electric customers.”

The (Baltimore) Sun’s June 10, 2007 “The Perils of Promises” called O’Malley’s 2006 campaign ad a “TV campaign commercial that included a risky promise – or at least the appearance of a promise: ‘taking on BGE to stop the rate hike.’ There’s not much wiggle room there.”

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation’s August 2010 Monthly Labor Review states that 216,591 Marylanders were unemployed in August, an increase of 6,674 from the 209,917 in July 2010.

20100924 RLE Video Remember


*****

O’Malley-Brown Campaign Releases New TV Ad


On September 27, 2010, in Bob Ehrlich, Governor O'Malley, by Maureen Higgins


In response to Bob Ehrlich’s misleading TV attack ad and desperate attempt to score political points at a press conference this morning, O’Malley-Brown Deputy Campaign Manager Rick Abbruzzese issued the following statement:

“This is embarrassing for the failed former governor: Bob Ehrlich has spent this election season misleading voters about his failed record of increased taxes and spending, and now he’s trying to blame Governor O’Malley for the failures of his own Public Service Commission.

“Everyone knows a fee is a tax, and everyone knows it was Ehrlich’s cronies at the PSC that failed to do anything about the 72% BGE rate hike. When voters fired Ehrlich, Martin O’Malley stepped in to clean up Ehrlich’s mess and won $2 billion in rebates from the electric companies, all while Ehrlich was enriching himself to the tune of $2.5 million working for a lobbying firm representing special interests.

“Now Ehrlich is trying to play the same desperate blame game with economic statistics and betting against Maryland’s future success. Here are the facts: since January, over 33,000 jobs have been created in Maryland. It’s the best job growth in a January to August period in Maryland since 2000.”



20100927 OMalley Brown Campaign Releases New TV Ad

Washington Post: First Click Maryland - A review of two records on revenues by John Wagner

First Click

A review of two records on revenues

Read much more:  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2010/09/first_click_marylanda_review_o.html?wprss=annapolisYour daily download of political news and analysis:
36 days until the Maryland elections




Monday, Sept. 27, 2010:
The Agenda
WagnerEven the casual observer of the Maryland governor's race has no doubt heard Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) knock his Republican predecessor for "jacking up taxes and fees by $3 billion." It's a common line on the stump and in campaign ads.
The number is based on an analysis by Maryland's nonpartisan Department of Legislative Services of revenue increases that took place during former governor Robert L. Ehrlich's four-year tenure. The figure -- actually $2.9 million -- requires some explanation, and it is unfair to pin the full total on Ehrlich (R). But more on that in a moment.
Thumbnail image for O'Malley bill signing.jpgnewer DLS analysis is now circulating that provides close to an apples-to-apples comparison of revenue increases during O'Malley's four years. That figure: $3.6 billion (a higher number than the Ehrlich era but lower than some, including the Ehrlich campaign in a recent Web ad, have suggested).
In the final five weeks of the campaign, voters are certain to be treated to cacophony of numerical claims from both sides, some more firmly rooted in reality than others. The DLS numbers are probably as objective as we're going to get, so they seem worth exploring.
First off, the numbers are "cumulative," meaning they are intended to measure the additional revenue that resulted across all four fiscal years that began while Ehrlich and O'Malley were in office.
The state property tax, for example, was raised early in Ehrlich's term, so DLS scores the impact of that tax increase as $170.8 million in fiscal year 2004, $185.1 million in 2005, $205 million in 2006 and $132 million in 2007 -- for a cumulative impact of $692.9 million.
Secondly, it is important to note that the analyses do not take into account how the revenue increases originated.
Ehrlich scoff.jpgThe Democrat-led legislature, for example, approved an HMO tax during a 2004 special session to subsidize doctors' medical malpractice insurance costs and to enhance Medicaid coverage. Ehrlich vetoed the bill that included the tax, but his veto was overridden by the legislature. Still, nearly $190 million in revenue increases attributable to the HMO tax are included in the analysis during Ehrlich's tenure.
Moreover, the definition of "revenue measures" in the analysis is broader than just tax and fee hikes. The Ehrlich-era total includes his better-known fee increases, including those on vehicle registrations, sewer systems and corporate filings. But Ehrlich's tenure also includes several "tax compliance measures," which are hardly the political sin these days that tax and fee increases have come to be.
The O'Malley-era total includes some revenue related to the state's fledgling slot-machine gambling program and speed cameras initiative.
But the $3.6 billion figure is almost entirely attributable to a 2007 special session in which multiple taxes were raised in an effort to fix the budget, and the imposition of a temporary "millionaires' tax" in 2008.
The 2007 tax measures included an increase in the personal income tax on high-end earners, as well as increases in the sales tax, corporate income tax, tobacco tax and vehicle titling tax.
The four-year impact of the special session is scored at $4.2 billion. O'Malley's overall figure is brought down some by backing out the impact of a tax on computer services, however. Lawmakers passed that tax in 2007 but repealed it in 2008 before it took effect. The four-year impact of the "tech tax" alone would have been $661.5 million, according to the analysis.
Got all that? We can promise it won't be the last time you'll hear some of these numbers between now and Nov. 2.
-- John Wagner


Trust First Click for critical news and analysis you need to navigate Maryland politics each weekday. You can also find First Click onFacebook and Twitter.

By John Wagner  | September 27, 2010; 6:45 AM ET Categories:  First ClickJohn Wagner

Your daily download of political news and analysis:
36 days until the Maryland elections