Jim Smith on the radio for O'Malley
Gov. Martin O'Malley is airing a new spot on Baltimore radio this morning, this one featuring friend and political ally Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
Smith is wrapping up his eighth year as a popular county executive and has been campaigning hard for O'Malley, a fellow Democrat, all through the election season.
Four years ago, Smith unleashed what was considered one of the most effective television commercials of the year, a spot in which he said then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. had gone years without talking to him or returning his calls. Smith accused the Republican of being out of touch with one of the largest counties in the state -- charges that Ehrlich never refuted.
Smith recently reminded county residents about the snub with this door hanger.
In the new radio ad, Smith talks taxes and spending. More on the content after the jump.
The minute-long spot opens with Smith saying, "I wanted to talk to you about taxes, spending and the truth."
He goes on to say that O'Malley "cut over $5 billion in government spending," though he protected education.
* Check: O'Malley and the Board of Public works cut $1.6 billion from state budgets that had been approved by the legislature. He also used $4.5 billion in federal tax dollars instead of Maryland tax dollars. So "government spending" might be a bit too broad, since federal money does come from the government.
Smith also promises that O'Malley has "no new taxes" in the next state budget he is preparing, should he be elected.
* Check: No real way to verify this, since the governor's budget won't be presented until next year. However, O'Malley has said in several interviews that his draft of the budget includes no new sources of revenue,
By contrast, Smith says, Ehrlich "proposed the biggest spending increase in Maryland history." He said Ehrlich was responsible for $3 billion in taxes, tolls and fees and increased tuition by 40 percent.
* Check: The state did develop about $2.9 billion in new revenue during Ehrlich's tenure, but that includes tax bills he vetoed and the Democrat-led General Assembly overrode. Tuition, set by the Board of Regents after receiving the university budget from the governor and legislature, rose 40 percent during Ehrlich's time as governor.
The ad concludes with Smith saying O'Malley is "a governor we can trust. .. He's a governor on our side."
Specifically, O'Malley may be a governor of Smith's side. After decades of public service, as a judge and county executive, Smith will be looking for work come January. Could a state post be on the horizon?
Comments
Thanks Mr. Smith for your recommendation. However, as much as I am a supporter of yours and think you have done a great job for Baltimore County, I have a mind of my own and your endorsement will not change my mind.
Posted by: Zigman | October 12, 2010 1:14 PM
I heard this ad this morning on the radio. How is it possible that O'Malley cut spending by $5 billion while at the same time he spent $23 billion more than Ehrlich when he was Governor. This ad should be pulled today!
Posted by: Dick Smart | October 13, 2010 8:35 AM
His voice is just as whiney as O'Malley's. If you have that much money in your campaign chest that you buy airtime for O'Malley, the election process is really tainted. It's a shame Jim didn't use new material, just reiterated the same stuff we hear 2 and 3 times at every commercial break. We are sick of the negativity.
Posted by: GHCinNottingham | October 13, 2010 5:21 PM
Dick,
The cuts he refers to are cuts made to the budget by the Board of Public works when the General Assembly is not in session.
Posted by: unrest | October 13, 2010 10:56 PM
I would like to know if this was recorded on work time and at what place? He should be fired if he recorded this message while he was working. of course everyone in O'malley/ Obama's camp should all be fired. What a bunch of sleazy politicians
Posted by: jaded | October 14, 2010 10:50 AM
Yes, we are sick of all the negativity! So when is Ehrlich going to stop the negative campaigning and when are Republicans going to stop being the Party of Hell No and start proposing some real solutions to help average families that are struggling to stay afloat in a so-called "free" market economy? The process is tainted, but it is stacked against real people and toward "corporate persons". Thank the activist Republican Supreme Court for their ruling that is now allowing Big Business and foreign agents to buy our elections.
Posted by: George | October 14, 2010 11:45 AM
no new sources of revenue,
This is code for "I'm raising CURRENT taxes, but proposing no NEW ones. Wait and See
Posted by: Mikchael | October 14, 2010 5:39 PM
Hey, did you hear? Ehrlich "promises" no new "taxes", plus he will increase spending while fixing the deficit at the same time... AND everyone gets a pony!
Wait and See
Posted by: George | October 15, 2010 1:51 PM