Anyone else hear something about Rove helping Steele in 2006?

[Debbi801]

I heard a blurb this morning on my way to work that the Nat'l GOP was putting all their weight behind Steele's senate run, including getting Rove to handle the campaign.

Have they given up on Ehrlich for a second term? This could be bad news for whoever runs against him for this Senate seat, I think.

Debbi

[The White Tree]

1. That wouldn't surprise me.

I think they look at Steele as one of those who appeal to members of both parties (especially since he is African-American) and that this could be their best chance to try to claim a MD Senate seat.

I would say that would be a death-nell for our dopey Governor. However, the talk from Ehrlich is very confident right now (almost bombastically so) which is troubling.

Example - This from the Frederick News Post reporting on the Frederick County Republican Committee's Lincoln Day Dinner.

Mr. Ehrlich and his wife, Kendel, pleased the crowd at the dinner. Those in attendance laughed at the governor's anecdotes about the first lady's date with Donald Trump and cheered when he said he was going to be re-elected with even "larger margins" than in 2002.

If Ehrlich wins re-election in Maryland then the fix is in. In 3 years as Governor he's done nothing but complain and try to pass a slots bill.

[aintitfunny]

12. Re: Erlich

I heard that he is very concerned about his polling #'s in Baltimore County. I think his blustering confidence is just bravado. If he wins, your are right, the fix is definately in since they did not pass any law to get us a paper ballot in Maryland. O'Malley will kick him to the curb in a fair race.

[LynneSin]

13. You have to treat Maryland like we treat Pennsylvania

You have your own version of the "T" (PA where the corners of Pittsburgh & Philly are liberal and the rest of the state or the "T" is very conservative).

You have to large-core areas of democrats in Baltimore and in some of the DC suburbs. In PA, when we campaign hardcore in those highly populated democratic regions - democrats win. Ed Rendell (gov) had such a powerful turnout and margin in Philadelphia and the surrounding communities that he easily defeated favorite son Bob Casey Jr (dad was a govenor) in the primaries and his republican opponent in the general election.

I'd really love to see a democratic governor back in Maryland. I think Erhlich is an embarassment, especially when other Chesapeake states like my home Delaware and also Virginia are trying to clean up the Bay and Ehrlich seems polution is the key to saving it. Plus the fact that he wants to veto the Wal-mart bill (all business that employ 10K or more MDers need to provide 8% of their employees with benefits - only Wal-mart fails to meet that standard and even another retail chain Giant complies) is gonna hurt him too.

I never thought of Steele running in 2006 for that open senate seat but that kinda scares me because I could see him winning.

Let's hope not!

[Debbi801]

2. Here's a link...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.steele09may09,1,3536910.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

<snip>

North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole and her staff at the candidate-recruiting National Republican Senatorial Committee have met with Michael S. Steele three times, attempting to persuade him to enter the race for U.S. Senate.

Steele also has been contacted by Karl Rove, the master strategist credited with engineering President Bush's election wins.

<snip>

[nickshepDEM]

3. Steele is waiting...

For Van Hollen to make his decision. If Van Hollen runs we have a three way primary, Cardin, Van Hollen, and Mfume. Mfume being the only African American candidate dramatically increase his odds of winning. Steele has already stated that he would crush Mfume in a general election and I tend to agree with him. On the other hand, if Van Hollen decides to wait his turn and the primary goes heads up, Cardin vs Mfume, I see Cardin comming out on top. In a Cardin vs Steele general election I see almost no scenario where Steele could beat Cardin.

[The White Tree]

8. What about Duncan running for Senate

I saw an article somewhere that suggested this could be a possibility that would alleviate what could be a contentious primary for the Governor nominee between him and O'Malley. At this point I would think that there is a much greater likelihood of O'malley being the nominee for Governor then Duncan.

Would it be better for Duncan to run for Senate?

[nickshepDEM]

9. Duncan is running for Governor as we speak.

He just hasn't announced, yet. By the way, I would'nt say O'Malley has the better chance of winning the nomination. Poll's released this early are none other than name recognition polls. Duncan is actually positioning himself very well to win the primary. He's on the right side of the slot's issue, especially for the Democraitc primary. I know alot of Democrats in my area who are upset with O'Malley's flip-flopping on the slots issue. Should be a close one, but Im pulling for Duncan.

[The White Tree]

11. So convince me on Duncan

Actually, I don't know a lot about either candidate when it comes down to it, but I think O'Malleys long been recognized as the leading candidate for Governor (at least that's what I've thought since the last election in 02). Duncan was never on my radar screen for that position.

I'll have to take a closer look at both candidates as we get closer. Any info you can give me would be helpful.

My whole family likes O'Malley - he has that kind of charisma and as such I think he will likely get the nomination. However, I will have to find out more about his slots position - that is a little troubling. It also would be something Ehrlich would probably jump on, like he did last time claiming that slots were the same as lottery tickets.

Either way, Ehrlich has to be defeated.

[madinmaryland]

4. That would be for the senate race.

I think Ehrlich intends to run for re-election as governor. I wouldn't be surprised if Rove gets involved.

[The White Tree]

7. That wouldn't suprise me either - Ehrlich is a little Bush

Indebted to industry and constantly complaining about the "liberal media" and people who don't understand that as governor he has a mandate from the people to do whatever he wants to.

I would not be suprised, if he won the govenorship again, if he tried to run for President at some point.

[nickshepDEM]

10. If he wins in 2006 I definitley see him running for President in 2008.

There really isn't anywhere left for him to go. He won't run against Mikulski in 2010 because he knows he will lose, bad.

[Frances]

5. The Baltimore Sun

has an article in today's paper saying that the GOP is really pushing Steele. Elizabeth Dole the NC senator has talked with Steele 3 times to get him to run. The National GOP sent him around the country during the 2004 election to campaign for Bush. The GOP thinks that having Erhlich run for governor and Steele run for senator at the same time will help both men win again. I will be so unhappy if Ehrlich stays governor and Steele replaces Sarbanes, whom I admire so much.

I think it will be essential for both O'Malley and Duncan to have African-American lieutenant governors on their ticket, so whether O'Malley or Duncan is the gubernatorial nominee, an African American is on the Dem ticket. That will be essential if Steele is the Repub nominee. The Sun did a poll recently and Steele was about even with both Cardin and Mfume.

My sense is that Steele would beat Mfume in a general election. I think Cardin would have a better chance, but he would be helped greatly if the Dem lt. governor nominee is African American.

I personally think Isiah Legget would be a great lieutenant governor and then governor. I wish KKT had chosen him in 2002.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. You wanna talk about chutzpah??????

On the WJZ news tonight, they had an interview with Steele. Along with all the "I'm not sure" palaver and braying, this gem:

"I'm watching what they're doing to Kwiesi and it gives me pause."

"They"?

Who are "they", Mr. Mike? Ask yer boss. His boss knows the answer.

..... ya disingenuous jerk.