Democrats have been loudly complaining for months about former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr's WBAL radio talk show. With just a few Saturdays left until the the Republican files his paperwork to challenge Gov. Martin O'Malley, The Sun's television writer David Zurawik wonders whether Democratic operatives have organized call-ins.

One after another caller to the two-hour Saturday show, which Ehrlich co-hosts with his wife, Kendel, seemed to be dropping Democratic talking points. Frustrated, Ehrlich asked his producers to cut off calls. It was one of two ways that "The Kendel and Bob Ehrlich Show" became more of "The Martin and Bob Show" this week.

Zurawik notes that an O'Malley campaign attack ad calling Ehrlich "Big Oil Bob" dominated the discussion. Shortly after the spot rolled out last week, Republicans blasted it as inaccurate.

The ad, which played during commercial breaks, was discussed on-air by Ehrlich and Towson University professor Richard Vatz. Zurawik opines:

As sound and astute as the advice offered by Vatz might be, the ad was still setting the agenda on "The Kendel and Bob Ehrlich Show" Saturday. The simple fact that it was being discussed meant less time for the usual propaganda of ringer Republican guests brought on to sound the same narrative of how fabulous things were in Annapolis when Ehrlich was governor, and how wretched things are now with O'Malley.

(Ehrlich has pointed out the irony of Democrats complaining that he has a microphone but then essentially underwriting his show by buying ads.)

Zurawik's blog Z on TV has a robust discussion about this. Head over to that neighborhood to check it out.