Steele expects McCain to be competitive in Maryland

Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele at Sen. John McCain's speech this morning in Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS- Speaking today before a sparse crowd of media, staff, and supporters, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) recounted his days as a young student at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Acknowledging that his “four years at the Naval Academy were not notable for exemplary virtue or academic achievement but, rather, for the impressive catalogue of demerits I managed to accumulate,” McCain said Annapolis “holds a special place in my life.”

The state capital was where the senator’s military career began more than five decades ago; he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1958.

McCain was introduced by retired Navy Rear Admiral Tom Lynch. Other guests included former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and U.S. Sen. John Warner (R-VA).

At the conclusion of the 15-minute address on a windy and brisk morning at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Steele spoke with PolitickerMD.com.

Saying that he enjoyed the speech, the former lieutenant governor called the address “subtle” and said it allowed the audience to “picture the journey this man has taken.”

When asked if he expected the candidate to campaign more often in Maryland, Steele jokingly replied, “If I have anything to say about it.”

“We’d love to see him here,” Steele added.

McCain previously appeared in Maryland prior to the state’s presidential and congressional primaries in February.

Though he acknowledged that Maryland is a “Democratic state,” Steele said he expected McCain to be competitive in the Free State.

“Remember, Ronald Reagan won here,” Steele said.

Reagan did win Maryland in 1984 —as he did in every state but Minnesota, Walter Mondale’s home state, and the District of Columbia – but lost the state to Jimmy Carter in 1980.

George H.W. Bush was the last Republican to win Maryland, defeating Michael Dukakis by 3 points in 1988.

In 2000, Al Gore defeated George W. Bush by 17 points, and John Kerry won by 13 points over Bush in 2004.

Despite the recent trends, Steele said Maryland was “somewhat of a maverick state,” and said McCain’s “willingness to be bipartisan” would help him in November.