Annapolis

Two Annapolis aldermen looking to diminish the powers of the mayor's office through a charter amendment have been met with a counter proposal. Aldermen David Cordle (R) and Sheila Finlayson (D) -- both of whom are candidates for mayor -- are introducing their own version of a new charter amendment, according to The Capital.

Alderman Ross Arnett (D) and Richard Israel (D) have been working on a charter amendment which would diminish the powers of the mayor and change Annapolis into a council-manager style of government, reports the Capital. Cordle and Finlayson have proposed a plan that would shift more responsibilities to a city manager, but would allow the mayor to retain some clout.

LUTHERVILLE -- State Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Elkton) says Republicans in the state of Maryland have a purpose, even if they're wildly outnumbered in Annapolis.

"It's our job to stop the stupid and mean ideas of Maryland Democrats," Pipkin said, while speaking at the 42nd District Republican Club's Second Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Friday. "These are some challenging times to be a Republican."

Working in a swipe at the media, Pipkin said a quick glance at The Baltimore Sun, when he's quote, "not using it for other things," proves his point about the Democrats.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski ANNAPOLIS -- U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Baltimore) says Democrat Frank Kratovil's Congressional campaign is going very well.

"I think Frank's message of moderation, a sense of a centrist is catching on," Mikulski told PolitickerMD.com at the Westin Hotel on Monday. She also noted that Kratovil's focus on jobs, the economy, and immigration "is working very well."

ANNAPOLIS -- U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville), who has been notorious for reaching across the aisle in recent months, has done more than just endorse and praise Democratic candidates - he's voted for one.

"I voted for Martin O'Malley," Gilchrest said of Maryland's Democratic governor at an award ceremony at the Westin Hotel on Monday.

Comptroller Peter Franchot (D-Takoma Park) says he'll support Gov. Martin O'Malley's (D-Baltimore) proposed budget cuts at tomorrow's Board of Public Works meeting, but insists he still differs with the governor on November's slots referendum.

"At this point, it is clear we are in the midst of the most serious economic situation we have seen since the Great Depression, and we have no choice but to tighten our belts and reign in State spending," Franchot said in a statement.

O'Malley will be proposing roughly $400 million worth of budget cuts at tomorrow's Board of Public works meeting, according to Shaun Adamec, a press secretary for O'Malley. Adamec says the governor has still not ruled out a furlough program since the state's deficit directly relates to the national economy.

In 1999, the Maryland General Assembly voted to ban lobbyists from buying meals for individual lawmakers. Designed to curb the appearance of impropriety, the legislation, House Bill (HB) 1, passed with overwhelming support.

The law, however, did not forbid lobbyists from buying meals for lawmakers in a committee or county delegation setting, which has some advocacy groups calling for a total repeal on lobbyist gifts, while others say the current law prevents small lobbying firms and grassroots organizations from competing with big budget firms, and needs to be changed.

"The average Joe who wants to talk to a (General Assembly) member over a meal can't do so," Senate Majority Whip Lisa Gladden (D-Baltimore) said during an interview with PolitickerMD.com. "You have only the big wigs who can afford it."

As Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) spoke at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis this morning, representatives from the state’s Democratic and Republican parties were eager to discuss McCain’s chances of winning Maryland in November.

While Al Gore and John Kerry carried the state by a 15-point average in the last two election cycles, John Flynn, the executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, said this year’s presumptive GOP nominee has a “very good chance” of emerging victorious in the Free State.

“He has a connection to Maryland,” Flynn said, referring to the four years McCain spent as a student at the Naval Academy from 1954-1958.

“He prepared to serve his country in Maryland,” Flynn added.

Calling the senator a “tested leader,” Flynn said McCain’s “appeal with Independents and some Democrats” would make him “competitive” in Maryland.

David Paulson, the communications director of the Maryland Democratic Party, strongly disagreed, saying, “Maryland does not want four more years of George Bush through John W. McCain.”

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.

In 1958, then-Midshipman John McCain listened to the advice of a man he now hopes to succeed, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will visit the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis tomorrow. The presumptive Republican nominee for president will deliver a speech at the Navy and Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at 9:00 a.m.

The event is part of McCain’s “Service to America Tour,” designed to highlight the senator’s military background.