Obama calls out Kratovil
Democrat Frank Kratovil hasn't decided whether to run for his old seat in Congress next year, but he nevertheless made an interesting play Friday by showing up to President Barack Obama's town hall at the University of Maryland. The move appeared to pay off.
Obama, speaking to 1,000 students on the College Park campus -- not to mention a national television audience -- shouted out to the former Eastern Shore congressman three times during the event, which was focused on the economy and the debt ceiling negotiations.
"Former congressman Frank Kratovil is here," Obama said, as he thanked several currently elected Maryland officials in the audience for attending, such as Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin. "You wouldn't know it looking at him, but Frank is an outstanding basketball player. The Terps might be able to use him, even at this age...He's got all kinds of moves."
Kratovil, a lawyer, was one of dozens of Democrats who were swept into the House of Representatives in the 2008 election that sent Obama to the White House. He was swept right back out in 2010 by Rep. Andy Harris, a Republican anesthesiologist. Despite a fair amount of speculation, Kratovil hasn't said whether he'll run again.
"A lot of his talk is very much where I am philosophically," Kratovil said of Obama's address. "We are very good at getting people elected, but we're not very good at electing people who can lead."
Comments
Three seperate thoughts:
-Even as a conservative I don't much like Harris, but I would have voted for him over Kratovil.
-If he is trying to make a resurgence, this isn't who he wants to be tied to.
-Kratovil was doing an OK job until he voted for Cap N' Trade and voted Obamacare out of committee, even though he didn't support it on the floor.
Posted by: From Harford | July 22, 2011 1:53 PM
As an Independent 1st District voter, I voted for Kratovil the first time around. But not the second time. He seemed like a decent man, too bad he decided to follow the moves of his Democrat handlers instead of his constituents. If Harris doesn't listen, then he will get voted off the island, that's if O'Malley doesn't gerrymander his supporters out of existence. With or without Mr. Obama's endorsement, the voters will decide not the President who represents us. Mr. Obama needs to do his job instead of making useless speeches to fawning crowds.
Posted by: Abby | July 22, 2011 2:19 PM
A lot of his talk is very much where I am philosophically," Kratovil said of Obama's address.
Okay, Frank. Thanks for confirming what we have known all along. You are a Prince George's County liberal Democrat. Glad to see that you now own it instead of trying to pass yourself off as a moderate or conservative "blue dog" Democrat. We will remind you and the voters of Maryland's First District of that quote if you decide to run for election in 2012.
Posted by: chestertownie | July 22, 2011 2:38 PM
A lot of his talk is very much where I am philosophically," Kratovil said of Obama's address.
Okay, Frank. Thanks for confirming what we have known all along. You are a Prince George's County liberal Democrat. Glad to see that you now own it instead of trying to pass yourself off as a moderate or conservative "blue dog" Democrat. We will remind you and the voters of Maryland's First District of that quote if you decide to run for election in 2012.
Posted by: Chestertownie | July 22, 2011 2:38 PM
Franks stay away the people dont want you. cant you take the hint you were sluaghtered in the last election. just try and come back another waste of Dems money.
Posted by: Joe-Ball | July 24, 2011 9:53 AM
If I were Frank Kratovil thinking of running for office, I don't think I would say I'm very much in line philosophically with President Barack Obama. That sort of line makes me think there is a pending appointing of Kratovil to a federal post--DOJ, federal district court judge or something to that affect. Otherwise Andy Harris' campaign was just given a pass with Kratovil's quote about Pres. Obama above. If Kratovil thinks that was a wise comment going into a Presidential election year then he sorely lacks the political chutzpah that I thought he had. The lesson here is: Roscoe is being redistricted.
Posted by: James | July 25, 2011 9:57 AM
People didn't vote for Harris, they voted against Peolsi as Speaker. In order to keep Pelosi out, you can't vote for Frank Kratovil or any other 1st District Democrat. We can, of course, replace Harris with a more palatable (centrist) member of the GOP. RINO's play well in the 1st.
Posted by: MDR | July 25, 2011 4:36 PM