Biden in Baltimore to boost O'Malley
Vice President Joe Biden heaped praise on Gov. Martin O’Malley at a Baltimore fundraiser Monday evening, Baltimore Sun colleague Annie Linskey reports, telling a room of 200 supporters that the governor can be trusted to lead in part because he “feels” the pain of ordinary Marylanders “in the gut.”
Speaking for half an hour at the private event at the Baltimore Hilton Convention Center, Biden highlighted some of the themes O’Malley regularly hits while on the stump: keeping jobs in Maryland and pushing a tax credit for small businesses.
Tickets to the event, intended to raise money for O’Malley’s reelection campaign, ranged from $250 to hear the Biden’s remarks to $1,000 for a brief private reception with the vice president. Members of the host committee paid $4,000.
Biden is the first big-name Democrat to stump for O’Malley, who is locked in a tight re-election race with his predecessor, Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. O’Malley has already spent more than his opponent, airing two radio commercials and a TV spot. Fundraising reports will not be public until August.
Biden said that he’s known the governor since O’Malley was mayor of Baltimore. “This is a man whose passion for Maryland starts in the gut and moves to the heart,” the vice president told the audience.
The economy and fiscal management was the theme of the day Monday. Hours before Biden arrived in Baltimore, The state Republican party issued a statement calling him “the Administration’s chiefspokesman for the failed stimulus bill” and saying that the legislation had failed to create as many positions as promised – a subject of continuing debate.
Biden said during his speech that the stimulus plan was always going to be a difficult sell. He pointed to the trillion dollar-plus deficit that the Obama administration inherited and mocked Republicans for calling themselves good fiscal stewards.
“I find it fascinating that our colleagues [in the Republican Party] talk about fiscal restraint,” Biden said. “That is like an arsonist talking about fire safety.” Part of the role of government, he said, is to create an environment where businesses can grow.
Pointing to the 2008 financial crisis, Biden blamed the GOP for lax oversight on Wall Street. “They gave us a Ponzi scheme masquerading as vision,” he said.
The event was spare; food included only a table of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. It was held at a ballroom in the Hilton, a $301 million city-owned hotel O’Malley fought hard to build when he was mayor.
Current Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake also took a dig at the Republican budget management, saying the GOP was “driving our economy into the ditch.”
Biden repeatedly complimented U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who also gave brief remarks. She likened the Maryland Democrats to the NATO alliance. “If you attack one of us, you attack all of us,” she said.
Categories: Administration, Candidate Watch 2010, Money and Business, People, Washington
Comments
"Current Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake also took "a dig a" (copy and pasted) the Republican budget management"?
Why? Last time I checked Maryland Republicans never had control over anything in Maryland.
Biden repeatedly complimented U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikluski, (copied and pasted) who also gave brief remarks. She likened the Maryland Democrats to the NATO alliance. “If you attack one of us, you attack all of us,” she said.
But my favorite is this; "he “feels” the pain of ordinary Marylanders “in the gut.”
Sounds like Biden was lazy last night so he decided to plagiarized Bill Clinton's famous words "I feel your pain" but added "in the gut" for the sake of change.
Does it get any better than this?
Seriously folks, Babs to compare Maryland to NATO, Biden adding "in the gut" and Rawlings-Blake blaming all her woes on the Republicans when she has had ample opportunity (In 1995, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake became the youngest person ever elected to the Baltimore City Council) to change it herself?
Posted by: Carole | July 20, 2010 7:19 AM
Carole, why so bitter? "change it herself" (copied and pasted) and she has.
If Marylanders wanted Republicans leading our State, we would elect them. As it was, Ehrlich only survived one term (TG), and he was only the sixth Republican governor in state history, and the first since Spiro T. Agnew was elected in 1967! (copied and pasted...lol)
If you want a Republican-led state, head south.
Posted by: Woodie | July 20, 2010 9:38 AM
Well said talking points Woodie, but give me facts. I copied and pasted because of all the typo's and misspelling in the article. No need to belittle.
By the way...I trust no Republican nor Democrat these days until they tell the truth.
Should you decide you want more than talking points and laughing at me, maybe, just maybe real change can occur.
Posted by: Carole | July 20, 2010 10:49 AM
Hey Woodie I am just all for the high taxes your Democratic heroes impose on us Marylanders.
Great job on slots implementation too by Annapolis.
What are MOM's accomplishments Woodie?
Except for oyster replenishment I do not see any accomplishments.
And to listen to SRB belittle the GOP on fiscal management-incredible. This coming from MOM puppet's who already has increased taxes on the citizens of Baltimore with her MOM lame scare tactics-see 2007 special session. Driving the citizens of Baltimore into the ditch as more of the middle class flees this city due to yet another round of tax increases. And then arrogant enough to increase the COLA on her pension.
Vote yes for slots-no new taxes-watch this pledge be broken if your saviour MOM gets re-elected in 2010.
I am voting for Ehrlich because I know he will be kinder to my wallet than MOM!
This state already subtracts more money from me than Social Security-gee thanks liberals.
Posted by: john | July 20, 2010 12:33 PM