Cryor hopes volunteer strength will put Kratovil over the top

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com over the weekend, Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Michael Cryor said many of the state party's 500 volunteer coordinators would spend a significant portion of their time and energy working to elect State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

"The race is becoming increasingly more competitive," Cryor said, calling Kratovil "a proven candidate" who can "work with the delegation."

The party chair said as many as 200 people attended a recent Kratovil volunteer session, and said state Democrats would continue to make their presence felt along the Eastern Shore.

"We will be sending a number of volunteers out there," Cryor explained, saying Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean had called to "congratulate me" on the state party's level of volunteer organization.

A recent Kratovil-sponsored poll showed state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) with a nine point lead in the contest, though Kratovil led by seven points among voters who could identify the candidates.

Cryor said Kratovil's law and order background would help him appeal to Republican and Independent voters.

"I don't think he'll just get former (Rep. Wayne) Gilchrest staffers-but many more, as well," Cryor said in reference to the districts' current GOP congressman.

He also accused Harris of being "committed to partisanship," saying his voting record in the state Senate demonstrated "an absence of being willing to work with (Democrats)."

"The country is tired of that," Cryor added. "To compromise on an issue doesn't mean you are compromising your integrity or your principles."

Referring to the national party's recent congressional victories in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi-all in conservative districts, Cryor said Democrats were winning "where no one thought we could win," and said Kratovil's "likeability" and "bipartisanship" would help put another GOP seat in the Democratic column.

"We will continue to help in whatever way we can," Cryor said.