Ehrlich Raises Over $725,000 In 18 Days

In his quest to regain the Governor’s Mansion, former Maryland governor Bob Ehrlich has raised $725,505 in just 18 days!  This 18 day total equals about 25% of what Ehrlich raised in the preceding 8 months.

Politics professor Tom Schaller said Ehrlich’s 18-day totals show his campaign is gaining considerable momentum.

"Ehrlich is more competitive than before," said Schaller, associate professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. "Money chases competitive candidates, as opposed to the other way around."

According to Ehrlich’s campaign, 98% of this 18 day total came from Marylanders.

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Who’s Your Corporate Daddy

Barack Obama lectures the Supreme Court (and lies while doing so).  Lefties throughout the land whine about “special interest” money.  Maryland Dem chairwoman Susan Turnbull even has the gall to rail against the “Citizens United” decision.  Yet, MDDEM’s couldn’t survive without corporate and union cash.

Maryland Democrats … How’s that hypocrisy thing going?

Thanks to Red Maryland for this excellent video.

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Cuccinelli – Hurt Can Raise Money During Legislative Session

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has issued an opinion that Virginia Sen. Robert Hurt (R-Pittsylvania) can raise money for his congressional race during this year’s General Assembly session.  Virginia law prohibits members of the legislature from raising money while the legislature is in session.  Cuccinelli’s opinion states that this prohibition does not apply to federal races.  Hurt is seeking the GOP nomination to challenge Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA).  According to Cuccinelli:

However, it is my further opinion that such prohibition does not restrict fundraising activity related to a campaign for federal office. Finally, it is my opinion that federal law pre-empts Virginia’s fundraising prohibition when a General Assembly member solicits or accepts contributions solely for a federal office.

This opinion is in line with the practice in other states – states with far more stringent campaign finance laws than those of the Commonwealth.  However, some of Hurt’s opponents for the GOP nod are not convinced:

"Although it may be legal, it certainly isn’t ethical," said Laurence Verga, a private real estate investor from Ivy and one of Hurt’s rivals in the June 8 primary. "The American people are tired of career politicians like Senator Hurt who put their personal aspirations above their ethical obligations."

Verga said the intent of the 1997 law that forbids Virginia lawmakers from accepting contributions was to "prevent lobbyists from buying votes."

While Delmarva Dealings has not been a supporter of Hurt’s campaign, Cuccinelli’s opinion was the right call.

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Kratovil Raising Majority of Cash from Special Interests

Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) has built a sizable fundraising lead over his most likely opponent, Maryland Sen. Andy Harris.  Over 50% of donations received by Kratovil in the last quarter come from PAC’s.  According to the Baltimore Sun:

More than half of the Democratic incumbent’s donations – $119,600 – came from political action committees linked to some of the most heavily lobbied issues now before Congress. PACs representing health care companies, financial institutions, energy, defense and agriculture interests all contributed.

As a member of the Maryland legislature, Harris is prohibited from raising funds during the legislative session.  This, coupled with Kratovil’s incumbency, explain a portion of the fundraising gap.

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Should Tea Party Activists Take Over GOP?

Politico asks the question.  Red State’s Erick Erickson provides a response:

“Grassroots activists need to start infiltrating the party,” said Erickson. “The only way to start getting [the establishment] back is to start pounding them with every fist we have.”

On many levels I am in complete agreement with Erickson.  However, just as the GOP has lost it’s way by believing that it can be corporatist in most things provided it cuts taxes and panders to social conservatives, a “Tea Party Takeover” may lead down a similar path.

Politicians want to keep their jobs.  They are also experts at sticking their fingers up to the political wind.  The extreme libertarianism (versus the Goldwater / Reagan variety) is simply not a viable political strategy anymore than the borderline theocracy of some social conservative leaders is.

Yes, grassroots activists need to become more involved in the GOP at all levels.  If they wish to be successful, they need to do so with the commitment to NOT be single issue activists and to be willing to make alliances with those who are not in 99%+ agreement with them on every issue.

They should start by voting with their checkbooks.  When GOP groups such as the NRSC openly support a Charlie Crist over a Marco Rubio or push Larry Elder out of the California race to support failed CEO Carly Fiorina, you can only withhold your money.  Don’t buy into the their arguments and don’t send them any money.  Ditto for the NRCC!  Send money directly to conservative candidates and organize in your local town, county and state!

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Kratovil’s Special Interest Pals Want to Throw Seniors Under the Bus

You know Frank Kratovil.  He’s the “moderate” Democrat.  He’s the “Blue Dog”.  Frank loves to hug trees.  Frank also attacked his opponent in last year’s election because Andy Harris was the beneficiary of grassroots money from groups like The Club for Growth.

What Frank Kratovil doesn’t want you to know is that he was a tool of left wing special interests last year and now appears to be going to the highest bidder.  Case in point – Big Pharma.

You’ve probably seen the commercials; asking you to call Kratovil and thank him for “saving children’s health care”.  Guess who paid for those ads.  PhRMA, the lobby for Big Pharma.

Listen to President Barack Obama brag about the pharmaceutical industry supporting ObamaCare.  Now ask yourself why.  It’s simple, the Obama administration made a deal with Big Pharma to keep their share of cost reductions capped at $80 billion.

How did they do that?  Big Pharma and Obama agreed to throw Grandma under the bus.  Under Obama’s agreement with Big Pharma, Grandma can no longer order her prescriptions from Canada.  Big Pharma also won’t be subject to price controls for certain drugs under Medicare Part D (I’m opposed to price controls, but that’s another post).

Big Pharma loves Frank Kratovil.  We have to wonder if Frank will be voting to hammer our seniors.

H/T – Del. Mike Smigiel

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Is Tom Carper a Crook?

I wouldn’t think so.  I probably wouldn’t vote for him if I lived in Delaware, but there’s certainly no evidence that he’s crooked.  However, that’s the implication from the good folks over at DelawareLiberal.net.

 

Carper receives campaign money from the insurance industry and pharma.  Carper doesn’t support the socialist plan being proposed by the radical left.  Therefore, he must be on the take?

It’s interesting that no one on the left cried foul as their Messiah destroyed the public financing system for presidential campaigns.  Of course, Barack Obama IS the Messiah.

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Are Carpetbaggers Buying the Commonwealth?

Democrat gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds has announced that he raised $3.4 million during June.  Pretty impressive.  Right?

What Deeds and his pals at the Washington Post aren’t telling you is WHERE that money came from.  Thank goodness for VPAP.

$500,000 from the Democratic Governor’s Association.  $500,000 from AFSCME (government workers union).  $100,000 from SEIU (another union).  Plus, there was over $300,000 in large donations recorded just before the primary.

With Deeds running, it’s starting to sound a lot like 1865 all over again.

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The $1.3 Million Endorsement

Salisbury’s slumlords simply LOVE Barrie Tilghman.  Unfortunately, Barrie realized that she couldn’t be re-elected.  So the slumlords and their dirty little guild, SAPOA, are placing all of their hopes behind Barrie’s chosen successors – Gary Comegy, Muir Boda, and Shanie Shields (aka the BARRIE COMEGYS ticket).

Why do Salisbury’s ruling class love Barrie and her heirs so much?  Tilghman has basically refused to enforce city zoning and building codes (at least regarding her SAPOA pals).  What’s a double-digit tax increase among friends when you can rape the city like the Vandals in Rome?  SAPOA is quite confident that Comegys, Muir, Shields (along with Princess Louise Smith) will continue to deliver.

… This is especially true if your name is Rinnier.  Besides all of the special treatment afforded SAPOA, the Rinniers were able to pocket a cool $1.3 million at taxpayer expense thanks to Barrie Comegys.  Remember the Marley Manor lift station?

Perhaps that’s why the Rinniers have illegally spent money to benefit the campaigns of Comegys, Boda and Shields.  Keep in mind, that you can only spend $250.  I find it hard to believe that the Rinniers were able to print all of these letters and paid people to distribute them throughout the Rinnier rental empire for $250.

Maybe they expect another fat subsidy if their candidates prevail on Tuesday.  We think the taxpayers of Salisbury’s have paid enough.

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That Slumlord Cash Just Keeps Coming for Comegys, Boda, and Shields

While the legal, over-the-table cash from Salisbury’s major and minor slumlords continues to be heaped upon the head of the Barrie Comegys ticket – Gary Comegys, it’s the illegal, under-the-table money that I find most interesting. Billing themselves as “a group of concerned rental owners”, a group of anonymous slumlords has spent thousands of dollars on a mailing to benefit the candidacies of their chosen ticket – Gary Comegys, Muir Boda, and Shanie Shields.

Little more than baseless lies, this mailing appeals to fear:

If you don’t vote for Comegys, Boda, and Shields we’re going to raise your rent!

Read more

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