Meekins says Harris has a history of ‘reaching across the aisle’

Congressional candidate Andy HarrisResponding to accusations leveled against state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) by his opponent in Maryland's First Congressional District, Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), Harris campaign manager Chris Meekins said today that his candidate has a history of "reaching across the aisle" to work with Democrats in the legislator.

"(Harris) supported a paper trail for electronic voting machines and he has continuously opposed wasteful spending regardless of whether it is a Democratic or Republican governor," Meekins said to highlight his point.

Speaking in Towson last night, Kratovil said Harris has voted, and will continue to vote "straight party line," and would be "one of the most conservative people in Congress."

He also said the Harris campaign was overplaying the significance of his relationship with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), calling the governor a "friend," but adding, "We don't agree on everything," namely illegal immigration.

"We don't have to link him to Gov. O'Malley," Meekins told PolitickerMD.com. "He's already done that."

Meekins specifically referred to photographs that were present on Kratovil's website during the primary campaign showing him with O'Malley, and also said Kratovil has previously expressed his desire to be an "ally" of the governor.

In recent weeks, the Kratovil campaign has highlighted their candidate's support among political moderates, specifically Tony and Lynn Caligiuri, members of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest's (R-Kennedyville) inner circle. Harris defeated Gilchrest in the GOP primary.

"A liberal is a liberal no matter how you try to spin it," Meekins said of Kratovil's support among moderates. "(Kratovil) wants to be the ally of a liberal governor, not a moderate."

Calling the issue "Democratic double-talk," Meekins said conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans in the district "don't want an increase in the government," and "Frank supports that."

In addition, Meekins said the campaign would continue to focus on the issue of lower taxes and smaller government, despite Kratovil's belief that more time needs to spent on Iraq, health care, and the environment.

"Maryland working families just had a $1.3 billion tax put on them," Meekins said, adding, "So, yes, we will continue to talk about taxes."

"We think voters care more about the economy," he said.

Meekins rebuked Kratovil's claim that Harris "has one of the worst environmental records in the legislator," referring to the senator's opposition to "open-bay dumping" when Gov. Parris Glendening (D) was in office.

Last night, Kratovil referred to Harris' 2004 opposition to the flush tax, which established the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Restoration Fund, as an example of his poor environmental record.

Responding, Meekins said, "Andy opposes all new taxes and I think people support that."

ALSO on PolitickerMD.com:  

• Kratovil says Harris would be ‘one of the most conservative people in Congress’