Harris bypasses Kratovil, aims for Pelosi
A victory statement from Republican state Sen. Andy Harris has just hit our inbox. What stands out: Harris bypasses any mention of his Democratic opponent, Rep. Frank Kratovil, to aim instead for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Harris has defeated businessman Rob Fisher in the GOP First Congressional District primary to earn a rematch with Kratovil. Kratovil beat Harris in 2008 to win the First, which takes in all of the Eastern Shore plus parts of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties.
“I am honored to be the Republican nominee in the First District,” Harris says in the statement. “Despite being heavily outspent, I am humbled by the outpouring of support for my campaign today from all areas of the First District – each and every county.
"But today’s Primary was just the first step in stopping Nancy Pelosi and Congressional Democrats’ job-killing policies.
"The First District wants someone with a proven record of cutting spending and fiscal discipline representing them in Washington. I’m proud to be the only candidate in the General Election who will protect small businesses and stop Washington's out-of-control spending and taxation.”
Harris, who lives in Baltimore County, watched the returns with supporters in Salisbury, a nod to the importance of the Eastern Shore -- which casts half the district's votes -- to his election hopes. Kratovil carried the counties of the Eastern Shore en route to his narrow victory two years ago.
A theme emerges: Harris wore a red “Fire Pelosi” button pinned to the pocket of his blue dress shirt Tuesday night, and told Baltimore Sun colleague Paul West he was looking “forward in the next seven weeks, in my race, to taking back the House” from the Democratic speaker.
Comments
Congrats to Harris! I am a democrat but, I'd rather see vote Republican than to see Kratovil win re-election. Kratovil is an Independent and not a Democrat as he sometime protrays himself to be. At least with Harris, you know what you're getting, a Republican.
Posted by: Johnny G | September 15, 2010 6:01 AM
Johnny G, I have a question. Just because Kratovil doesn't follow blindly the Dem Party leadership, he isn't worthy of a vote, but Harris, who does whatever the Republicans tell him, is better? Huh?
Part of your logic is true. With Harris, you are definitely getting a Republican: a die-hard, cut all taxes on the rich, get rid of all business regulations so BP can have more oil spills, let's return to the abuses of the sweat shop, let companies keep shipping jobs overseas and get a tax credit for it Republican.
Kratovil doesn't vote the Democratic Party line all the time, and voted against health care package, the budget and other spending.
And you think that's a bad thing?
If MD-01 elects Andy Harris, it's like having no representation at all. He will never see a bill hit the floor for a vote, he will never get any funding for projects, and basically be an empty suit screaming about Socialists and Obamacare while the rest of Maryland's delegation actually helps their constituents.
Posted by: Bill on da Shore | September 15, 2010 8:30 AM
The only reason to vote for Harris is to poke a political stick in the eye of Pelosi. I'm not saying that's a bad idea, but I'm not saying Harris is a good idea either. You pays your money, you takes your chances..........
Posted by: MDR | September 15, 2010 10:48 AM
Bill on da Shore
Kratovil Did so vote on ObamaCare. The first time around they needed his vote. He was ALLOWED to vote against the second package because they did not need his vote. You see, he votes what Dutch, Babs and Nancy tells him. He is no independent. He is just another political hack.
Posted by: carole | September 15, 2010 8:05 PM