Laura Smitherman has been ensconced in the State House basement, writing about the governor, General Assembly and vagaries of Maryland politics for several years. An erstwhile business reporter, her interest in politics dates to her days in Washington when she covered Congress and national campaigns for another media outlet. She now follows a range of policy debates from slot-machine gambling to universal health care and energy regulation, while keeping an eye on the next election.
Paul West covers Washington for
The Baltimore Sun, continuing a tradition that began the month the paper was born, in 1837. He hasn't been in the DC bureau that long--only since Ronald Reagan was president. He's covered Congress, the White House and presidential campaigns as the paper's national political correspondent and Washington bureau chief. He's on the lookout for news of significance to Sun readers at the other end of the B/W Parkway. That includes the activities of the state's congressional delegation and anything else that might shed some light on the inner workings of the nation's capital.
Julie Bykowicz's first days as a political reporter, in January 2009, coincided with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's indictment and the start of the Maryland General Assembly's 426th legislative session. She focuses on coverage of state agencies, such as social services, juvenile justice and prisons. During the session, she wrote about the death penalty, slots parlors and speed cameras, among other hot topics. Julie began political reporting after more than seven years on
The Baltimore Sun's crime desk. She lives in Baltimore and works primarily in Annapolis.
Comments
He is using the same consultants that lost the Senate Race in 2006! These same consultants (Blaise Hazlewood and Curt Anderson- longtime RNC insiders) advised the Republican Senate Campaign Committee during the 2006 Debacle and also advised Elizabeth Dole and countless other losers in 2008. They smell money and Steele is their ticket to the RNC Coffers!
More importantly, What has GOPAC accomplished since Michael Steele has taken over as chairman. When one looks at the website it looks like Steele Inc. "Steele here, Steele there, Steele sightings", hardly a mention of Training! GOPAC seems dedicated completely to branding and promoting Michael Steele.
How much of the substantial amount they have raised during his Chairmanship actually benefited any Republicans? From what I can tell they raised in excess of $10 Million and have donated less than $100,000. According to GOPAC's own financial reports it files, with the Feds, Steele has spent more than $100,000 in Limos and Lodging in 2008 already! Also, If Steele is a "Maryland guy" and not a DC insider than why was the address of his most recent fundraising email that of a Virginia consulting firm?
Finally, if Steele is so critical of the RNC and the Party in general for its minority outreach ask him: How many African American candidates did he recruit to run in Maryland while he was Chairman? How many African Americans did he employ on his staff as Lt.Governor? How many African Americans are on staff at GOPAC? Finally, if he is so critical of the RNC's minority outreach, how does he explain his own dismal performance in his 2006 Senate race where he received less than 15% of the black vote.
While Mr. Steele makes for an attractive "Spokesmodel" the party needs a worker/tactician as Chairman. Whereas, Mr. Steele, is a product of a few smart consultants angling for RNC contracts. Instead of running a national campaign for RNC Chairman he should be a "National Republican" and be in Minnesota helping Norm Coleman or Georgia working to elect Saxby Chambliss!
Posted by: randy Sears | November 27, 2008 12:50 PM