GOP welcomes McCain to Maryland, takes shot at rivals

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): Getty ImagesThe Maryland Republican Party welcomed John McCain to the Free State on Tuesday as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee heads to town for a fundraiser in Baltimore on Tuesday evening. Prior to praising McCain, the MDGOP took the opportunity to take a crack at some of its Democratic rivals.

“Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Elijah Cummings, and Attorney General Doug Gansler were among the politicians present at a ‘Bash McCain’ press conference,” said MDGOP Chairman Jim Pelura in a statement. The three lawmakers attended a “McSame as Bush” news conference in Baltimore on Monday, in light of McCain’s visit to the state.

“Gas is at $4.00 a gallon but Cardin, Cummings, Steny Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen as well as 1st Congressional District candidate Frank Kratovil all oppose drilling domestically or even giving hard-working families a tax break on fuel,” Pelura added.

He continued even futher: “Politicians like Ben Cardin and Elijah Cummings ought to be spending their time working on a real plan to lower gas prices and bring about the energy cost savings that they promised to deliver for Marylanders.”

“John McCain has demonstrated throughout his career that he is committed to problem-solving and listening to people from all walks of life and political viewpoints. He’s even tried to get Barack Obama to join him for several town hall meetings to hear the real concerns people are facing,” said the MDGOP chair.

“Senator McCain is a fine example for all current and future leaders to follow which is why Maryland Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are showing strong support for him. The Maryland Republican Party is proud to welcome John McCain back to our state.”

State Democratic Party Communications Director David Paulson responded in an email to PolitickerMD.com.

“Democrats respect and honor the service John McCain has given our nation. But, the third Bush term he is proposing is unacceptable for Maryland and America suffering under George Bush’s failed economic policies,” he wrote. “If the Maryland Republican Party supports drilling in the Chesapeake Bay or along the beaches of Ocean City, they should state it clearly and plainly rather than mimicking Big Oil’s demands for drilling anywhere they desire.”

Paulson continued: “The Maryland Republican Party wants to give Big Oil a sweet dessert when they haven’t even finished their dinner. Claiming that ordinary Americans should enjoy any crumbs after Big Oil has reaped huge profits is absurd according to most objective economists.”

Tim McCann, Kratovil’s campaign manager also responded in an email to PolitickerMD.com.

“Frank Kratovil has repeatedly stated his belief that we need to expand domestic drilling, starting with the 68 million acres of untapped oil leases already approved for exploration, as part of a comprehensive plan to move toward energy independence,” wrote McCann.

The offices of Cardin, Cummings, Hoyer, Van Hollen and Gansler have been contacted for comment, but PolitickerMD.com had not received a response from either party at the time this article was published.

McCain is scheduled to attend a fundraiser in Baltimore on Tuesday evening with former Gov. Bob Ehrlich.