October 2, 2008 - 12:43pm

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Post: Gilchrest slams GOP, McCain, colleagues

By Danny Reiter, PolitickerMD.com Reporter

Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest says his party has become more self serving, more narrow and is centered on "I want, I want, I want."

In an interview with Washington Post columnist Marc Fisher, Gilchrest criticized John McCain for receipting "memorized pieces of information in a narrow way," but praised Barack Obama for "constantly evaluating information" and using his judgment.

"One guy just recites what's in front of him, and the other has initiative and reason and prudence and wisdom," said Gilchrest, who currently represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District, but was defeated by state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the February primary.

Last month, Gilchrest made kind statements about the Obama-Biden ticket, but quickly denounced the idea that the words translated into an endorsement. Gilchrest, however, has officially endorsed Harris's Democratic opponent - state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville).

Gilchrest denounced lawmakers that voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the Wall Street bailout bill he voted in favor of.

"We're in this bad place as a country because of the evangelicals, the neocons, the nasty, bitter and mean ... very clever ideological groups that use money, technology, fear and bigotry to lead people around," Gilchrest told the Post. "Voting according to your knowledge and experience -- that's out the window. Competence and prudence? Forget it."

Gilchrest then claimed America's idea of freedom had become the idea of comfort, something he calls irresponsible.

"We've become a country that sits down in front of the boob tube and listens to people shouting about freedom, but now people equate freedom not with the acquisition of knowledge but with comfort."

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

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Comments

This family will be voting

posted by Progressives for Gilchrest/Obama/Kratovil

This family will be voting for the Kratovil/Obama team as well. It's about time somebody stood up and said "liberal" is not a dirty word. God forbid someone stand up for equal marriage rights, racial tolerance, and universal government health care for all. Harris is a no talent quack who says "he served his country". All he did was serve the bigots and fascists of this country, because that's what he is.

10/07/08 6:32 am

I'm voting for our

posted by I'm Voting

I'm voting for our Progressive Team in 2008:
Frank Kratovil/Barack Obama.

Kratovil-Obama will mean a stronger Bay, stronger families, universal healthcare, representing the rights of all and not just hetereosexual redneck bigoted men, and more pay for our teachers.

Kratovil/Obama in 08!

10/05/08 9:24 am

This is nothing more than an

posted by Tim1

This is nothing more than an application for a job, just in case his dream team Obama/Biden gets in.

10/04/08 7:13 am

Truth Hurts

posted by A N.nonymous

It's fun to read right-wing nuts bash one of their own for telling the truth. One of the nut-jobs calls Gilchrest a "Benedict Arnold" for revealing how modern-day Republicans are simply mouthpieces for the conservative right-wing spin machine.

I think moderates should form a third party and bolt the GOP.

10/03/08 4:06 pm

Someone is still upset they

posted by Talbot

Someone is still upset they lost. As, all of us Americans and Marylanders see we are sick of our congress.

Gilchrest is nothing but another worthless member of congress. The people of Maryland did the right move in moving him aside, and now we must finish the job of improving our country, state, and district and elect Andy Harris

10/03/08 1:37 pm

Thoughts to ponder..

posted by So refreshing

"More narrow, more self-serving, more centered around 'I want, I want, I want.' "

Mr. Gilchrest couldn't be more correct about the GOP. It is a shame to see the last great moderate Reppublican in Maryland on his way out. Pragmatism and prudence in the Maryland GOP is no more. The neocons, the right wing ideologues (who don't get me wrong, are just as bad as the left-wing ideologues aka marxists) are the reason this party has not and will continue to fail in the great state of Maryland.

You people just don't get it. You would rather fall on your sword than have a sensible moderate and an independent voice in the Republican Party. Instead you have candidates like Andy Harris, who I'm sure is deep down, a good man, but his answer to EVERYTHING, begins with the phrase "I'm a conservative" -- Sorry that just doesn't cut it anymore.

If the Republican Party wants to flourish again, it should be embracing Mr. Gilchrest rather than denouncing him. Our party once was the party of the big tent and there was a place for everything, with not just the far far right calling the shots. My thought is that if Mr. Kratovil wins on November 4th, another good man, than it serves you the MDGOP right for ousting a perfectly good Republican representative in Congress in Wayne Gilchrest.

Enough is enough, get off your invisible high horses already. Think long and hard about why the GOP has only 18 percent of the electorate in this state.

10/03/08 10:57 am

I remember reading about

posted by Sean

I remember reading about someone like Wayne Gilchrest, I think his name was Benedict Arnold.

10/03/08 7:37 am

Wayne Gilchrest's

posted by Frank Kratovil, Barack Obama, Martin O'Malley

Wayne Gilchrest's endorsement of Barack Obama says something interesting if you read between the lines. It says I see Barack Obama and Frank Kratovil in the same line. And we know Frank Kratovil already said he wants to go to Washington to be "an ally of Martin O'Malley."

An ally of O'Malley.
A supporter of Obama.
An "independent" liberal.

10/02/08 9:35 pm

He's right on...it's why I

posted by Love the tantrum

He's right on...it's why I and 80% of America is sick and tired of Congress and this President. Most of these politicians in DC just spew out the party's mindless talking points and on their way to their next fund raiser.

Any American watching the coverage over the last two weeks of the financial Congress and the impromptu press conferences called by both sides saw just how much of circus our Congress has become.

Sour grapes or whatever you want to call it...Gilchrest hit the nail on the head in this rant.

10/02/08 7:14 pm