September 3, 2008 - 4:44pm
News

Langer on Gilchrest: ‘He was always a Democrat in Republican clothing'

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Republican U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest wasn't crossing party lines when he endorsed state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) because he's never been a Republican, according to Andrew Langer - Maryland for McCain's Eastern Shore coordinator.

Gilchrest currently represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District, but was defeated by state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the February primary. Gilchrest endorsed Harris' Democratic opponent -- state's Attorney Frank Kratovil -- early Tuesday morning.   

Langer says that Gilchrist's claims that he is reaching across party lines to support Kratovil are nonsense.

"I don't see this as crossing party lines," said Langer, who also serves as president of the Institute for Liberty. "It makes it very clear to any moderate Republican who's thinking about voting for Frank Kratovil that Wayne Gilchrest was never a maverick. He was always a Democrat in Republican clothing."

Langer supported Gilchrest in the primaries, but argued it was because the party should always support the incumbent.

"I'm loath for primary battles," he said. "I see it as a party's mission to make sure that we close ranks."

DANNY REITER is a PolitickerMD.com Reporter and can be reached via email at Daniel.reiter@politicker.com.

Comments

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Gilchrest was doing a great job. If the district is going to be run by a liberal it might as well be run by a registered democrat, not a democrat posing as a republican. It's sad to see that the 1st district has become as liberal as the rest of this sorry state. Not too surprising though I guess.

11/13/08 7:12 am

Write2bheard - Please check


Write2bheard -

Please check the Star Democrat on June 5, 2007. It was the article describing Mr. Kratovil's entrance into the race with Gov. O'Malley attending his kock-off ceremony.

09/07/08 5:37 pm

To Dr. A, and Queenstown


As was clear from what Danny Reiter wrote above, my official position as a member of the QAC Republican Central Committee was to support Wayne, and in point of fact, I offered numerous pieces of advice to Tony Caligiuri during the primary.

What John McCain, George Bush, Newt Gingrich, Michael Steele, and host of other Republicans were doing during the primary is what Republicans ought to do during the primary - that absent due cause you support the Republican incumbent.

Now Rep. Gilchrest has shown us that there was, in fact, due cause for the Republicans of the 1st CD to dump him.

Wayne said it himself - he doesn't see what he's doing as "crossing party lines". The only way for even a marginal Republican to endorse a Democrat and not have it be "crossing party lines" is if the marginal Republican isn't a Republican in the first place.

And for my friend in Queenstown, have I had a conversation with you about my future political ambitions? Because what you're saying, frankly, is news to me. Let's be clear here: my immediate political concern is getting as many people on the Eastern Shore to support John McCain and Sarah Palin on Election Day. After that, my focus will be on working with my Republican colleagues from around the shore and throughout the state to build, strengthen, and grow the Republican Party in Maryland.

Apart from that, I've got a think tank to run, and real public policy problems to grapple with.

So, if you know something first hand, please, do tell.

09/04/08 12:54 pm

Repeating it, but where's the proof


"I will be an ally of the Governor [O'Malley] in Washington." - Frank Kratovil

I have seen this written over and over by Harris supporters, but I have never seen it in print or heard it for that matter. Please provide a source for this quote.

09/04/08 12:19 pm

Sounds like more flip-flop


Sounds like more flip-flop back-track for the GOP. Frank is proving he can work across party lines as he claims with every republican endorsement.

09/04/08 9:35 am

Still no response?


Im still waiting for someone to explain if Langer as an official McCain rep believes that Gilchrest "was always a Democrat" and therefor John McCain would rather someone who was always a dem over harris to represent the first district or if Langer is going to take back this clearly untrue statement.

So which is it going to be?

09/04/08 8:27 am

Gov. Ehrlich endorsed Sen.


Gov. Ehrlich endorsed Sen. Harris in the primary. That is hardly a nod from "the ultra right". Meanwhile, Gov. O'Malley endorsed Mr. Kratovil. That is most certainly a nod from the hard left.

"I will be an ally of the Governor [O'Malley] in Washington." - Frank Kratovil

09/04/08 6:31 am

All this endorsement from


All this endorsement from Gilchrest does is illustrate how spineless he is. He is bitter, too. As far as I can remember, he never even congratulated Andy for unseating him in February. Gilchrest was only one of two Republicans in the entire House of Reps not to be endorsed by the RNC in the primary battle.

09/04/08 1:42 am

Andrew Langer just wants to


Andrew Langer just wants to be a state senator and will say anything to get there.

09/03/08 9:51 pm

Ha!


The same Gilchrest who was endorsed by Ron Paul, President Bush and the man Langer represents...JOHN MCCAIN?
http://www.politickermd.com/mccain-backs-gilchrest-invites-harris-1012

So John McCain's official Eastern Shore coordinator has stated today that John McCain in fact endorsed someone who "was always a Democrat" over Andy Harris?

Wow...seems like Andy Harris really must represent only the ultra right.

09/03/08 6:19 pm

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