Conservative pundit Michelle Malkin has endorsed Delaware GOP Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell over her rival, Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE).  In her endorsement, Malkin makes one point that stands above all others:

I’ve said it before and Republican voters need to hear it again:

Entrenched incumbency is not an argument for more entrenched incumbency.

She’s absolutely right.  She’s also right on on regarding many of O’Donnell’s fine qualities AND the relatively liberal voting record of Castle.  While Malkin focuses almost exclusively on Castle’s vote for “Cap & Tax”, Mike Castle has hardly been a beacon of conservatism during his tenure in the House.

That said, I remain a reluctant supporter of Castle.  Why?  The simple reason is that I hold conservatives to a higher standard.  Given that the issues are on our side, there is no need to fudge the truth or pander – IF you are a true conservative.  O’Donnell’s attacks on Castle and her campaigns laughable speculation that Castle would, if elected, resign and allow Delaware AG Beau Biden to take the seat make me believe that O’Donnell simply lacks the character to sit in the US Senate.  Mike Castle does.  Despite his less than wonderful voting record in the House, Castle would still be the best Senator from Delaware since Bill Roth.

H/T – Frank Knotts @ DelawarePolitics

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) promises that a GOP Congress will repeal ObamaCare:

"we will do everything we can" to delay, defund and repeal Obamacare.

Let’s hold Eric to his promise.  Elect a GOP House and Senate – then put their feet to the fire!

H/T – Lynn Mitchell @ SWACgirl and RealClearPolitics

We’ve seen it all before.  The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) just can’t seem to help screwing up.

First, they supported Charlie Crist.  Florida Republicans wanted Marco Rubio.  The NRSC wanted Sue Lowden.  Nevada Republicans wanted Sharon Angle.  The NRSC wanted Trey Grayson.  Kentucky Republicans wanted Rand Paul. … You get the idea.

NOW, NRSC chairman Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) may be getting ready to make his BIGGEST MISTAKE YET!

As a tight Alaska senatorial primary goes to absentee ballots, the NRSC appears to be putting resources behind incumbent senator (and primary night loser) Lisa Murkowski.  There’s just one problem.  Rumors are swirling that Murkowski is in negotiations to buy her way onto the ballot through Alaska’s Libertarian Party should she lose after the absentee count.

Does Sen. Cornyn really want to go to GOP donors asking for money and have to explain why NRSC funds went to support someone on the Libertarian line.

Charles Lollar is one of the most exciting candidates to run for office in Maryland … this, or any, year.  A genuine conservative, Lollar understands what Maryland needs to move forward into a prosperous future:

For decades our government has ignored the sound advice that jobs flourish in an environment of vigorous competition, low taxes, and reasonable regulations.  Instead it has promoted an agenda of high taxes, higher spending and an expansion of government bureaucracy guaranteed to frustrate all who have to deal with it.

Unfortunately our current congressman believes that the government can create jobs and stimulate our economy by taking your tax dollars and spending it on more government programs, earmarks, and Wall Street bailouts, so much so that he has squandered trillions of your tax dollars, and failed to stimulate anything other than more out of control spending, bigger deficits and higher taxes.

Real problems require real solutions. Solutions that have been tested and proven effective, every time that they have been applied.  With our economy in distress we can no longer afford the foolish notion that we can borrow and spend our way out of debt. You don’t have to be an economist to know that such a practice is guaranteed to fail.  You only need to pick up the newspaper and look at today’s unemployment rate to realize that the current policy of tax, spend and borrow is a failure.

Jobs are created by entrepreneurs. People who risk their time, talent and personal treasure in pursuit of profit.  When they get it right, they are rewarded.  When they get it wrong, they are replaced by others who are better suited to create the jobs that build wealth for all of us. All without government stimulus plans, bailouts or earmarks.

As your next congressman, I will fight for an environment guaranteed to promote job growth and wealth creation.  I will be a strong advocate for the proven formula of vigorous competition, lower taxes, and reasonable regulations. It is time that we abandon the failed policies that have shuttered our business community and robbed you of the ability to invest and save for your future.

Together we can make "A New Day for Maryland"!

Imagine where we would be right now with this kind of leadership in Washington.

It’s not a secret, I’m supporting Bob Ehrlich for Governor.  However, it should not be debatable that Bob’s not the most conservative candidate running.  That honor falls to Brian Murphy.

Brian is a bright young man who has a great future ahead of him.  He has also been blessed with a lovely wife and a family he can be proud of.  He’s full of great ideas and stands on principle.  Regardless of how this year’s GOP primary turns out, I hope that Marylanders will take advantage of Brian’s talents in the future.

Here’s just a few of Brian’s ideas on how we can get Maryland’s economy moving again:

H/T:  RightCoast Conservative

Former Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich takes a few minutes out of his schedule to discuss the business climate in Maryland:

As we’ve noted in previous posts, Maryland is becoming far too dependent on public sector jobs.  Why?  The states tax and regulatory burden is opening hostile to the private sector.

What’s the number one issues in this year’s race?  JOBS!  Unfortunately, without a tax rate of about 200% (which obviously isn’t possible) we can’t all work for the government, despite the wishes of some liberal politicians.  We need existing businesses that want to move into Maryland.  We need small business start-ups.  Ehrlich understands that.  Martin O’Malley doesn’t.

Virginia Senator Robert Hurt and House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith have begun airing ads in their quests to out freshman lefty Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), respectively.  They are basically just name ID pieces, but well done.

See the ads below:

H/T – Jason @ BearingDrift

It doesn’t matter whether you are looking at national or statewide polls, attending candidate forums, or simply talking with your neighbors; the NUMBER 1 ISSUE in this year’s election is JOBS.  John Phoebus, GOP candidate for Maryland House District 38-A is one of the few legislative candidates who is prepared to offer a concrete proposal to stimulate economic development in his District, and the state of Maryland.  Phoebus wants to reduce (or eliminate) the state’s corporate income tax).

Phoebus has proposed, along with many others, that Maryland roll back the 20% sales tax increase enacted by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and the Democrat controlled legislature.  While this definitely would put money back into the pockets of Marylanders (where it belongs), the positive effects of such a roll back would primarily be felt in the state’s retail sector.  However, Phoebus’s proposal to reduce state income tax rates for businesses would definitely increase Maryland’s competitiveness in attracting employers to the Old Line State.

Marylanders know too well that the state has two tier income tax system.  Currently the state portion of the income tax tops out at 6.25%.  In addition, local subdivisions (the counties and Baltimore City) also tack on a local portion of the state income tax.  Somerset and Wicomico counties, which make up District 38-A have local rates of 3.15% and 3.10% respectively.  These rates are exceeded only by Howard and Prince Georges counties.  Because of these high rates, a business locating in Maryland could expect to pay almost 10% in state / local income taxes.  Just a few miles south, that same business could be operating in Virginia and pay a maximum rate of 5.75%.  Given the more business friendly reputations of both Virginia and Delaware, why would a firm wish to set up shop in Maryland to be overtaxed and heavily regulated?

Phoebus’s proposal would help to level the playing field for attracting businesses to Maryland.  Those businesses would create jobs; which in turn would increase the overall amount of state and local revenue through personal income taxes, property taxes, etc.

The Baltimore Sun’s Jay Hancock recently made a similarly compelling argument.  Maryland has already lost the opportunity to be the home of Northrop Grumman’s new corporate headquarters.  We’ll never know how many businesses have chosen NOT to locate in Maryland due to high taxes, oppressive regulations, and the lack of a right to work law.  Sadly, those of us on the Eastern Shore know too well how many employers have LEFT Maryland for less burdensome pastures.

Coupling Phoebus’s proposal with one offered a few years ago by Wicomico councilman Joe Holloway could seriously aid Wicomico’s quest to attract employers.  Holloway proposed to reduce the county’s income tax rates.  Given that Wicomico is adjacent to Worcester County, which has a top rate of 1.25% (along with the state rate) and also borders Delaware (with a top rate of 5.95%), Wicomico would be more competitive.  Sadly, only councilwoman Stevie Prettyman was interested in moving Holloway’s proposal forward.  Fortunately for Wicomico residents, 2010 is an election year with four competitive council seats up for grabs.

As with all such proposals, the devil is in the details.  Since most small businesses are organized as proprietorships, partnerships, LLC’s, or sub-S corporations (which all pass the business’s income through to the owners), I am interested to know how Phoebus would treat these entities.  However, Phoebus’s proposal is just what Maryland needs if it is serious about creating private sector jobs.

If you were looking for excitement, read no further.  The title, while misleading, is the closest thing to “red meat” you will find in this post.

Tuesday evening, the Somerset Branch of the NAACP hosted a candidate forum at UMES.  In what may have been the most well run example of a VERY LARGE candidate forum (11+ offices, over 40 candidates) that I have ever witnessed, the Somerset NAACP and UMES have set the standard by which all other similar forums should be judged.

Because of the large number of offices and candidates it was difficult to handle many questions or get into specifics.  However, attendees were able to walk away with a good sense the candidates and their approaches to various issues.

In the race to replace Maryland Sen. Lowell Stoltzfus (R-38), candidates Jim Mathias and Michael James provided an overview of who they are.  Unfortunately, because of time constraints we were unable to grab a true sense of the differences between the two candidates – even on the broad strokes.

The candidates to replace the late Page Elmore as delegate from district 38-A was a slightly different matter.  In a general sense there are few policy disagreements between the candidates – Democrat Mike McCready and Republicans Julie Brewington, John Cannon, Charles Otto, and John Phoebus.  All candidates talk about the need to bring jobs to the district and a need to reduce taxes and regulation.  Four of the five candidates adamantly oppose ag land down zoning while Cannon calls for a more “holistic” approach that includes TDR’s.

The second question posed to the candidates was for them to expand on their introductory remarks, but to be more specific.  McCready, Otto, and Brewington emphasized agriculture but did not promote any specific proposals.  Cannon spoke about several ideas to promote economic development, including the use of incubators.  Phoebus offered the most specific proposals by calling for a repeal of the 20% increase in the state sales tax and a reduction (or even elimination) of the state’s corporate income tax.

Delaware conservatives should want to support Christine O’Donnell in her race for the US Senate.  Why, then, does she insist on making it so hard?

She has already hurt her own reputation (and that of RedState) by promoting ridiculous hypotheticals that Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) will switch parties or resign to open the seat for Delaware AG Beau Biden if elected.  Now she takes a solid issue and flips it on its head.

In her campaign’s latest email O’Donnell cites an AmSpec piece that makes a solid case for Cap & Tax passing in a lame duck session if Castle is elected in November.  According to the Jeff Poor’s piece, the winner in November will be sworn in as soon as the election is certified because this is a special election.  I was under the impression that Ted Kauffman would stay in his seat until January.  However, it really wouldn’t matter since both Kauffman and Castle would vote for Cap & Tax.  Therefore, I don’t see this as a compelling argument to oppose Castle.  His support of Cap & Tax is certainly a valid reason, but not the possibility of a lame duck session.

O’Donnell concludes her e-mail by attacking Castle for his support of the financial services industry:

"Because of its lax regulations and corporate governance laws, more than 50 percent of all publicly traded companies in the United States, including 63 percent of Fortune 500 companies have made Delaware their "legal" home, according to the state’s website. The same is true with the banking industry."

Is O’Donnell proposing to run the banking industry out of the First State?  Does she wish all of those Delaware corporations to locate elsewhere?  Mike Castle’s prospects look better by the day.