Ehrlich Raises Over $725,000 In 18 Days

September 1, 2010 by Cato  
Filed under Campaign Finance, Maryland, Maryland Politics

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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Where’s Frank? – 63 Days to Election

It’s 63 Days to Election Day.  WHERE’S FRANK?

Don’t his constituents have a right to know?

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Charles Lollar Understands What Maryland (and America) Needs

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.

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Frank Kratovil Refuses To Talk With Constituents

August 27, 2010 by Cato  
Filed under Democrat Campaigns, Maryland, Maryland Politics, Video

MISSING - Frank Kratovil

First District Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) really holds his constituents in high regard.  He has refused to hold a public town hall meeting with voters for the last year.  His so called meetings with constituents are tightly controlled affairs more akin to campaign events than actually working with constituents.

Now he has gone so far as to REFUSE to talk to a constituent!  Evidently, Frank’s handlers have convinced him that if it isn’t a photo op or it’s not someone handing him a check, then they just aren’t worth Kratovil’s time!

It’s 67 days until the election Frank.  You’re going to have to come out sometime.  The Obama machine won’t be able to put you over the top this year.  You’ll actually have to talk to people.

In the meantime, all we can do is ask:

WHERE’s FRANK?

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Ehrlich Says NO to Fee Increases

August 26, 2010 by Cato  
Filed under Maryland, Maryland Politics, Taxes

Former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich gave a big, fat, “NO!” when asked whether fee increases of any sort would be under consideration in an Ehrlich administration.  This is an answer to a big criticism leveled at Ehrlich by his primary opponent AND Democrats.

Incumbent Gov. Martin O’Malley states that he has no intention of raising taxes, but refused to sign a pledge to that effect.

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Meet Brian and Joy Murphy

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

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Ehrlich Discusses the Maryland Business Climate

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.

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National Cost of Government Day

Yesterday was National Cost of Government Day.  What does that mean?  It means that, on average, you have finished paying the cost of government for this year:

Today is the first day you stopped working for Uncle Sam and began working for yourself. Americans must labor 231 days out of the year just to meet all costs imposed by government – 8 days later than last year and a full 34 days longer than 2008.

Sadly, if you live in Maryland (as I do) you will continue paying for the cost of government through September 4th (4th worse in the nation).  Delawareans will have met their obligations tomorrow.  Virginians on August 25th.

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Don’t The Rules Apply to Rudy Cane?

Cane Billboard at VFW Post 10159

Is it OK for churches to make campaign contributions to political candidates?  How about other non-profits?  I know that it’s not legal, but is it morally right?

If you believe, as I do, that tax exempt institutions like churches, the American Legion, the VFW, schools, etc shouldn’t be able to involve themselves in partisan political activity then you then need to ask yourself – Why don’t the rules apply to Maryland Del. Rudy Cane (D-37A)?  Even if you don’t agree with me, you still need to ask yourself why Cane and the tax exempt interests that contribute to his campaign don’t seem to believe that the law applies to them.

VFW Wicomico Memorial Post 10159

Wicomico Memorial VFW Post 10159

VFW Post 10159 sits at 821 West Main Street just east of the intersection of US 50 and Nanticoke Road.  On top of its building are two billboards, one facing US 50 East and the other facing West Main Street.  As shown in the photo to the right, these billboards act as signage for the VFW Post.

Yet, as the picture at the top shows, the sign facing US 50 has been magically transformed into a billboard for Cane’s re-election bid.  Some might argue that IF Cane paid for the space that this would be legit.  Sadly, there is no evidence in his most recent campaign finance disclosure that Cane paid for the billboard space.  Even if he did, I’m not aware of the VFW post selling that billboard space for other purposes.

VFW Post 10159 is a tax exempt institution.  They don’t pay property taxes.  They are permitted slot machines and other types of gambling provided that they donate a certain percentage of the proceeds back to the community.  They are also forbidden by law from engaging in partisan political activity.

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John Phoebus Attacks Jobs Issue on Lower Shore

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.

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