Our Neighbor to the North: Is Bob Ehrlich Toast?

By: Lowell
Published On: 7/14/2006 8:06:34 AM

According to Chris Cilizza, it sure looks like Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich might be political toast this November (bolding added for emphasis):

4. Maryland: Meet Bob Ehrlich (R) -- the most vulnerable governor up for reelection in November. Ehrlich's chances suffered a double dose of bad news over the last few weeks. First, Doug Duncan dropped from the race -- allowing Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley to avoid the bumps and bruises of what looked to be a competitive primary. Then The Washington Post published the results of a poll showing the incumbent trailing O'Malley 51 percent to 40 percent among registered voters and 55 percent to 39 percent among those most likely to vote. Even more troubling for Ehrlich: He trails by double digits even though majorities of the sample approve of the job he is doing (56 percent approve/41 percent disapprove) and view him favorably (55 percent favorable/38 percent unfavorable). Conclusion? Marylanders know and like Ehrlich but won't vote for him. That spells trouble. (Previous ranking: 8)

In other words:  hey, it's been nice knowing you, Bob!  Personally, I'll never forget how you came across the river last year to campaign for Jerry "the Duck" Kilgore.  Great times, great memories.  Soon, that's all we'll have of you.  Sad how life moves on so fast...

Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign.  The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.

Comments



I've met the governor at several alumni functions (va.walter - 7/14/2006 9:37:20 AM)
and he seems like a pretty good guy.  Amazing he ever elected in MD in the first place.


Not Nice (seveneasypeaces - 7/14/2006 12:06:41 PM)
He used his position in the legislature to campaign by helicopter.  Paid for by Marylanders.  This gave him an advantage and showed just what a "conservative" grabs. Wasteful with other people's money.  He also campaigned on slot machines, of course putting them in poorer neighborhoods so they could lower tax.  Sleazy Man.

There were also flyers put all around shopping centers in Baltimore and PG County that said something about people would be checked for outstanding warrants.  Even if they are not liable for a warrant it scares people into staying home.  Maybe they don't know something and would be liable for arrest.  It was DIRTY TRICKS and Michael Steele allowed this to happen. 

Did you see Michael Steele on Real Time?  He bragged about campaigning in Ohio (like it was his victory) and absolutely had nothing to add to the table conversation.  He's just a pretty man married to the Mike Tyson family (his sister is the doctor who married Tyson).  Another Empty Head. 

Maryland is turning against the electronic machines but they said they can't do anything about it until after this next election.  Look for more fraud.  They will have to keep the scare tactics in check if possible.  Problem is they use them at the last minute and it works to keep vulnerable people home.



Voting in 2004 (thegools - 7/14/2006 1:19:02 PM)
In my mother's very populus, urban, and very democratic district, people stood in line for hours to cast a ballot.  Only two machines were present in the precinct. (Meanwhile one machine broke downadding to the delays.)  People were seen leaving the line, without voting, to go to their jobs.

In my father's rural and heavily GOP area, there was no line at all.  There were 8 voting machines, with only two of them in use at any one time.

Interesting huh?



Note: (thegools - 7/14/2006 1:20:56 PM)
My mother is in Baltimore

My father in western Howard county, MD.



Around our house we call Erlich "Mo" because he resembles one of the 3 stooges. Check it out. (d'moore - 7/14/2006 12:18:58 PM)
Erlich has enjoyed having Donald Shaeffer State Comptroller, former Democratic governor, on his side to show how bipartisan he is. However Shaeffer has proved to be losing it and now that can't be helping Erlich.
Also when first elected, Erlich went about getting rid of as many career state government employees who were supposedly Democratic political types. Many of those people were simply civil servant experts in their field. Erlich was brutal, using dirty tricks and a guy who was eventually discredited for his role in the whole process. Voters didn't appreciate that either.