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September 16, 2010

Dems try to exploit Ehrlich-Murphy split

Maryland’s Democrats are trying to pick at what they perceive to be a wound among Maryland Republicans: Hard feelings after the primary victory this week of former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. over Sarah Palin-endorsed and tea party-backed challenger Brian Murphy.

This morning the Dems emailed a transcript from a radio appearance during which conservative commentator Blair Lee urged Ehrlich to reach out to Brian Murphy.

"You need to publicly embrace this guy, you need to call him a rising star in the party, you need to borrow his rolodex, and you need to get all of his voters to vote for you," Lee advised.

Ehrlich reponded with a backhanded slight. "Well, Blair, I respect him, but quite frankly we have a lot of rising stars in our party, including people who have won races."

Four years ago Ehrlich had no primary opponent; four years before that, he had a far better showing in the primary -- taking 93 percent of the vote against two unknown candidates.

On Wednesday at a GOP rally in Annapolis, Murphy showed up, but was on the far right of a sea of Republicans – standing nowhere close to Ehrlich and looking mighty uncomfortable. Ehrlich did not mention his foe by name. Instead he made broad comments about the difficulty all candidate face when they put their egos “on the line” an run for office.

Murphy did get a handshake from GOP Party chairwoman Audrey Scott and, when asked what he plans to do for Ehrlich’s campaign, he repeatedly mentioned that he has a “young family.”

Ehrlich was asked why he didn’t give a shout-out to his former opponent. “If I started mentioning one, I’d get in trouble,” he said.

Posted by Annie Linskey at 12:05 PM | | Comments (17)
        

Comments

75%-25% is a three-to-one margin.

Ehrlich was asked why he didn’t give a shout-out to his former opponent. “If I started mentioning one, I’d get in trouble,” he said.

Bob Ehrlich is an ass.

I am a strong Ehrlich supporter, but it is inexplicable to me that he couldn't be more gracious in victory.

There is a big difference between Ehrlich's libertarian wing of the Republican party and the Puritan wing represented by Gov. Palin, Brian Murphy, and Andy Harris.

We think Government should stay out of people's personal lives.

They want big Government to decide which movies can be shown at the University of Maryland, which stem cells can be studied by medical researchers, and which couples are considered legitimate. If I ever wind up in a persistent vegetative state, they don't want my wife to decide when it's time to pull the plug.

Mr. Ehrlich is admirably concerned by the same issues of Government control vs personal freedom. But that's still no excuse to be rude.

That's Bob Ehrlich's style: no class

Typical of Bobby Haircut- throwing his fellow Republicans under the bus when they dare to disagree or challenge him. Just ask Jim Pelura and Wayne Gilchrest about this.

Libertarians don't raise taxes by 3 billion dollars

Brian Murphy better do some research on Republican culture. Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment was, "...thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican". Hey Brian, go back to making your cupcakes...you're out of your league!

Taking the highly unusual step of opposing the re-election bid of a congressman from his own party, former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. threw his weight last night behind state Sen. Andrew P. Harris's bid to unseat nine-term Republican Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest

William Sunderland do your own research. Bob Ehrlich has stabbed many a Republican in the back.

Murphy supporters need to put aside any and all hard feelings suck it it up and make sure they vote for Bob.if you are true conservatives they only have one option.

Hey anonymous, Wayne Gilchrest was hardly a Republican.

Hey, Lester, sounds like Ehrlich could use that same advice.

Sunderland, not Lester. Was going by the top name.

We interrupt this hot air for some common sense ...

Blah, blah, blah. The goal line is low[er] taxes, more jobs and better opportunities for Marylanders. All this hot air back and forth is just that, hot air. Ehrlich can get Maryland going again in that direction. He's done it before.

Folks care about working [again], being able to care for their family and feeling good about owning a home, working a job and being able to take the kids out for an ice cream. That's what matters. That's the goal line. Period.

To All the MOB supporters; This is an old tactic from a one party rule, and will continue until the end of my days here in Maryland.


Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive!

Sir Water Scott

Is there any wonder why the voter turnout was historically low?

Poor Bobby Slots can't take a joke - nor can the petulant one be gracious. He needs to grow up.
By the way, those of you who want less government should stop asking the government to create jobs for you, help you everytime there is a flood, oil spill, wildfire, or hurricane. And if you don't want gay marriages or abortion, don't have one but allow me the freedom to make my own choices..

Why are we worried about what the democrats think we should do?

The republicans voted for the candidate they wanted, Brian lost.

Now lets move onto the issues. Brian can always run again.

Ehrlich may have saved the MD Republican party from the oblivion that is faced by his fellow GOP-ers across the country when the rest of America realizes that the Palins have nothing to offer: no ideas, no programs, no plans, no solutions. "No" is not a solution.

I am a conservative and have voted Republican in every race for thirty years. Bob Erlich giving the voters of Murphy the rhubarb is a big mistake. Maybe this Erlich is as big a joke as my friends keep telling me. What a arrogant comment. Just what we need in these tough times another arrogant imperial RINO.

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About the bloggers
Annie Linskey covers state politics and government for The Baltimore Sun. Previously, as a City Hall reporter, she wrote about the corruption trial of Mayor Sheila Dixon and kept a close eye on city spending. Originally from Connecticut, Annie has also lived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she reported on war crimes tribunals and landmines. She lives in Canton.

John Fritze has covered politics and government at the local, state and federal levels for more than a decade and is now The Baltimore Sun’s Washington correspondent. He previously wrote about Congress for USA TODAY, where he led coverage of the health care overhaul debate and the 2010 election. A native of Albany, N.Y., he currently lives in Montgomery County.

Julie Scharper covers City Hall and Baltimore politics. A native of Baltimore County, she graduated from The Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and spent two years teaching in Honduras before joining The Baltimore Sun. She has followed the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pa., in the year after a schoolhouse massacre, reported on courts and crime in Anne Arundel County, and chronicled the unique personalities and places of Baltimore City and its surrounding counties.
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