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January 5, 2009

O'Malley takes a stand

You never know what's going to prompt a statement from the governor's office. Last week, it was Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip. This week: the Ravens.

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 5, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement today congratulating Coach John Harbaugh on their [sic] decisive victory over the Miami Dolphins and wishing them luck on their next playoff game against the Tennessee Titans. “I want to congratulate Coach Harbaugh and the entire Ravens organization on soundly defeating the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the playoffs. This victory not only allows the team to advance to the next round, but it also secures the Ravens’ position among the NFL’s best teams as they continue their pursuit for a championship. “Best of luck to Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and the entire team as they roll to victory in Tennessee on Saturday. Go Ravens!”

Posted by Andy Green at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Comments

Given that O'Malley hails from a part of the state that is unquestionably Redskins territory--I'm curious as to the Governor's true loyalties. Not that I question his sincerity for the Ravens success but it would be nice to know if he has an affinity for the burgundy and gold.

A related political question is what would the governor do--if the rumors are true--should the Redskins move back to DC as Dan Snyder really wants.

A breakdown of the General Assembly's loyalties would be interesting as well.

Posted by: Mark Newgent | January 6, 2009 11:40 AM

Mark wrote: "...O'Malley hails from a part of the state that is unquestionably Redskins territory..."

Uh, wasn't O'Malley the mayor of Baltimore before he was Governor? And aren't the Ravens from Baltimore? Or did I miss something?

Posted by: Befuddled | January 6, 2009 11:47 AM

Kind of a curious comment since O'Malley went to the University of Maryland School of Law in Baltimore (3 years), was an Assistant State's Attorney in Baltimore (2 years), a councilman in Baltimore (8 years) and then there was that period when he was something called the Mayor (another 6 years).

Unquestionable? Seriously?

Posted by: James C | January 6, 2009 12:19 PM

Check your history. O'Malley is from Montgomery County and attended Gonzaga High School and Catholic University both of which are in--get ready for it--Washington, DC

Posted by: Mark Newgent | January 6, 2009 2:07 PM

I admire the Governor's leadership style. As soon as the result is known, you can depend on him to step up. I hear he is an Obama supporter, now.

Posted by: Bruce Robinson | January 7, 2009 11:36 AM

Thanks Mark. I did check the history, So we have 18 years in Maryland, then only 6 in DC and then 19 in Baltimore. Can we do math now that history is over?

Anyway, my intent was to point out that as the former Mayor of the exact city where the team is named after and where the stadium actually is lends him at least some credibility to issue a statement of support for said team when they are doing well. Apparently he may be a closet Steelers fan, but either way you could clear a forest with all of the "Congratulations so-and-so for their achievements" statements put out by politicians.

Just curious, would Governor Ehrlich be considered a phony for every Maryland game he went to and cheered at? He grew up just outside of Baltimore which is unquestionably Towson University territory right? However, he then went to Princeton, and then he went to Wake Forrest. Talk about a loyalty breakdown crisis.

Posted by: James C | January 7, 2009 2:22 PM

So you are saying that a particular area in the state of Maryland is not "Maryland" territory? Curious

Posted by: Mark Newgent | January 7, 2009 5:44 PM

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About the bloggers

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.

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