MD-GOV

Candidates Debate In MD-GOV Race Where Dem Is Allowed To Play It Safe

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 12, 2010, 11:18AM

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-MD) and former Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R-MD)

Here's a phrase you don't read very often this year: "[The Democratic nominee] stuck closely to his campaign talking points, while [the Republican] -- whom observers said had more to gain from a strong debate showing because he trails in the most recent polls -- pulled material from a wider pool of topics."

That's how the Baltimore Sun described last night's Maryland gubernatorial debate between incumbent Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and the man he beat four years ago to get the job, former Gov. Bob Erlich (R). The race is a rare bright spot for Democrats, with polls showing O'Malley leaving Erlich in the dust as the election nears. (The TPM Poll Average shows O'Malley leading 49.6-43.1.)

So did Erlich get the job done last night and set the stage for a reversal of the polling trend? Doesn't sound like it from the Sun's writeup. The pair squared off on federal spending, taxes, fees, schools and who did a better job managing the state's criminal DNA database, but didn't break new ground on any topic. "Many of the arguments Monday could have been made four years ago, the first time the two candidates faced each other," the paper writes.

The most exciting drama of the evening may have come when no one was talking at all, as the paper describes:

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MD-GOV

Ehrlich Steamrolls Palin-Backed Candidate In MD-GOV Republican Primary

Eric Kleefeld | September 14, 2010, 9:07PM

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-MD)

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-MD), who was defeated for re-election in 2006, has easily won his Republican primary tonight, for his rematch bid against Dem Gov. Martin O'Malley. And in the process, he proved that a Sarah Palin endorsement isn't everything.

With only 1% of precincts reporting, the establishment-back Ehrlich leads Tea Partier and businessman Brian Murphy by a whopping 82%-18%, and he has been projected the winner by the Associated Press.

Fun fact: In early August, Sarah Palin endorsed Murphy. So this shows that while a Palin endorsement is certainly a good thing for a candidate in a Republican primary, and could potentially provide some boost, it cannot create victory from nothing.

2010 elections

Tonight's Primaries: The Last Big Election Night Before November

Eric Kleefeld | September 14, 2010, 5:58PM

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Christine O'Donnell

Tonight marks the last major night of the 2010 primary season. And what a wild and wacky season it's been -- and could still prove to be tonight.

This is the last multi-state primary night this year. After tonight, the only one primary left is Hawaii's this Saturday.

So let's take a look at some of tonight's races. There are Tea Party insurgents against establishment GOP moderates, Dems fighting it out to keep their jobs, and a whole lot of fun throughout.

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MD-GOV

Bob Ehrlich Cuts Off Voter On-Air: 'Get Him Out Of Here' (AUDIO)

Christina Bellantoni | June 21, 2010, 6:18PM

Former MD Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R)

A Democratic source sent along audio clips of the awkward moments on former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich's radio show this weekend that TPMDC detailed earlier today.

In one, Ehrlich (R-MD) argued with a caller who said that, as a political candidate, the former governor should be kissing his "butt." Ehrlich, embroiled in an electoral rematch with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) told the caller that he doesn't "kiss anybody's butt." When the person protested, Ehrlich noted the guy's language and said, "Get him out of here ... we don't want to put up with that."

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MD-GOV

Rough Radio: Bob Ehrlich Hammered By Callers On Oil Politics (AUDIO)

Christina Bellantoni | June 21, 2010, 10:47AM

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-MD)

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-MD) cut the microphones of callers to his talk radio show this weekend after they questioned his stance on oil drilling. Ehrlich is in an electoral rematch with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to win back the governor's mansion and, after Democrats tried and failed to force his radio show off the air, they settled on a different approach.

They bought commercial air time on "The Kendel and Bob Ehrlich Show" on WBAL radio to run an attack ad using Ehrlich's own "Drill, baby, drill" words against him. The ad and a series of callers criticizing Ehrlich's time in office began "getting under Ehrlich's skin," according to a Baltimore Sun reporter.

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MD-Gov

In Maryland, Ehrlich Defends Steele...Sort Of

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 8, 2010, 10:58AM

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-MD)

Michael Steele, it seems, can't go home again. His former partner in government, ex-Maryland Governror Bob Ehrlich, took a whack at RNC spending yesterday, the day he formally announced his next campaign for governor.

"The burn rate has been pretty quick," Ehrlich told DC's NewsChannel8 in an interview yesterday. Spending was at the center of the controversy that led to the resignation of RNC chief of staff Ken McKay this week. Critics from inside and outside the GOP have condemned Steele's RNC for spending thousands on questionable purchases like parties at topless bars. Ehrlich said there's merits to the criticisms.

"I don't want to sugar-coat this," Ehrlich, who claimed to be a regular RNC donor, said. "When you're asking someone for their hard-earned dollars, in a recession, they don't want to see headlines about some bar."

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2009, 8:58AM

Fmr. Gov. Mitt Romney (R), Fmr. Gov. George Pataki (R), Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R)

Pawlenty, Romney And Pataki Call New Mayor Of Manchester, New Hampshire
Ted Gatsas, the new Republican mayor-elect of Manchester, New Hampshire, told ABC News that he's already received congratulatory phone calls from Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and George Pataki. "I don't know who is running for president but I don't mind telling you who has called," said Gatsas.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will speak at 9:30 a.m. ET, delivering opening remarks and participating in an interactive discussion with tribal leaders at the White House Tribal Nations Conference. He will meet with senior advisers at 11 a.m. ET, and receive his daily briefing at 11:40 a.m. ET. At 12:30 p.m. ET, he will have lunch with Vice President Biden. He will meet at 1:40 p.m. ET with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. He will meet at 3 p.m. ET with President Ian Khama of Botswana. He will meet at 3:40 p.m. ET with representatives of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and at 4 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. At 4:50 p.m. ET, he will deliver closing remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference.

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