And, can Bob Ehrlich still win over Tea Partiers?
For readers who have been wondering where Dan Rodricks, a columnist at the Baltimore Sun, got a quote that played an important role in his treatise that Tea Partiers had no where else to go but to Bob Ehrlich for Governor in Maryland, some readers managed to find it.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, visit my post of October 2, here entitled, “Will Tea Partiers come out in droves for Bob Ehrlich….”
Rodricks quoted an unnamed commenter at the ‘Washington Examiner’ to confirm his treatise that Tea Partiers had no where else to go other than the Robert Ehrlich camp.
As a long-standing member of the Maryland Society of Patriots, a home-grown Tea Party here in Maryland, I can truthfully say that Mr. Ehrlich will probably be supported by many, perhaps most, Tea Party members. We are left, however, with the usual ‘hold-your-nose-and-vote’ situation.”
One leader of the Maryland Society of Patriots (MSOP) with whom I consulted was surprised to read this, but when the full quote was found (in the readers comment section) it is not as clear as Mr. Rodricks implies. The commenter is not speaking for his Tea Party. This is the full quote:
As a long-standing member of a the Maryland Society of Patriots, A home-grown Tea Party here in Maryland I can truthfully say that Mr. Ehrlich will probably be supported my many, perhaps most, Tea Party members. We are left, however, with the usual “hold-your-nose-and-vote” situation. The MSOP Stands for Fiscal responsibility, smaller government, rule of Constitutional Law and adherence to the U.S. Bill of Rights. Mr. Ehrlich outshines MR. O’Malley in most of those areas. The shine comes off in the area of abortion, but even in this area, Mr. Ehrlich has a leg up on Mr. O’Malley. The Second amendment protections are also slightly better under MR Ehrlich than under O’Malley, but nothing to write home about. Speaking for myself, and not for the Tea Party a half a loaf is better than a stone; a stone is what O’Malley holds out to us.
Mr. Rodricks might have been more resourceful and actually contacted the MSOP which, by the way, is meeting this Thursday evening (10/7) in Burtonsville.
The meeting will be held in the Marilyn J Praisner Library’s large meeting room at 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866 (Only 3 miles from MSOP Headquarters). The meeting will begin at 7:30PM, doors will open at 7.
Contact Sam Hale marylandpatriots@gmail.com for more information.
So what could Ehrlich do to reach out?
I see this morning that Richard Falknor writing at Blue Ridge Forum has a few suggestions of what issues Ehrlich could commit to that would help Tea Partiers and conservatives generally with their election day decision.
As for me, I would add one more. I want to see the letter that Robert Ehrlich sent to Delegate Pat McDonough where he allegedly says he is behind McDonough on the issue of an Arizona (anti-illegal immigration) bill for Maryland.
… Bob Ehrlich didn’t sign the pledge either! In fact, Pat McDonough, or more likely his “self-styled activist ‘brain’” lets Governor Bob off the hook by saying that he submitted a letter of support while claiming he doesn’t sign pledges (we know he has signed pledges in the past). Release the letter!
I’m waiting to see if Robert Ehrlich comes through for conservatives as Falknor suggests he could (with some outreach) because as I said here, I’m questioning whether Ehrlich has the boldness and creativity that will be required to pull Maryland out of an economic storm predicted to arrive in the state in 2011. If he is elected and doesn’t save Maryland, then in 2012 and 2014 it’s all over for a very long time for any Republicans (conservatives or RINOs) at any level in Maryland.
Ann Corcoran
Judy K. Warner
