Christopher Shank

The close of the 2008 legislative session on Monday meant the time for analysis had begun. As expected, Democrats and Republicans greatly disagreed on the session’s level of effectiveness.

“Our Democratic leaders stepped-up this year and did the heavy lifting that gave us a remarkably successful session,” Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Michael Cryor said in a statement. “There are no other words to describe it. Gov. Martin O’Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and our Democratic leadership are moving Maryland forward in uncertain times. We will actually see progress on our priorities because our governor and Democratic leadership acted now. As a result children, families and small-businesses who depend on education, health care, the environment, transportation and more, will benefit for years to come.”

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell (R-Lusby) said the session was “another disappointing example of Governor O’Malley’s failure to provide responsible fiscal leadership.”

“Government continues to grow virtually unchecked and the appetite for taxes has not been satisfied,” O’Donnell said in a statement. “The Democrat leadership is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the taxpayers with empty rhetoric about spending cuts and sound fiscal management.  For virtually every cut that has been made, the governor has found somewhere else to spend those dollars.  For every job that has been cut, additional positions have been added.  Their fiscal restraint is an illusion.  This budget is contingent on the largest tax increase in Maryland’s history and there has been no true effort from the leadership to reduce spending.”

ANNAPOLIS -- House Democrats have proposed a bill that would prohibit the release of false campaign materials. The Voter's Rights Protection Act of 2008 stems from the 2006 gubernatorial race, when on the eve of the election Democrats in Prince George’s County and Baltimore City were given fliers identifying Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as Democrats.

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com this afternoon, Del. Patrick L. McDonough (R-Middle River) said he was opposed to the current legislation, House Bill (HB) 102, because he found the term false to be “misleading” in a “legal sense.”

“The wording is too vague and general,” McDonough explained, saying he felt the bill could create an “opportunity” for a lawmakers’ “political enemies” to file “frivolous lawsuits.”

ANNAPOLIS- The House Republican Caucus called on Gov. Martin O’Malley to issue new death penalty regulations at an afternoon press conference in Annapolis, today, charging that his refusal to do so was in violation of the state Constitution.

Republican lawmakers reaffirmed their support for the death penalty, and demanded the legislature pass House Bill (HB) 1250, the Administrative Procedure Act-Exemption-Death Penalty Protocols, which would exempt the death penalty regulations for the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

Elizabeth A. Jones has worked as a legislative aide to Del. Christopher Shank (R-2B) for six years. In that time, Jones told PolitickerMD.com that the current minority whip has “constantly relied” on her “to be by his side” providing assistance. Among other responsibilities, Jones said she has helped to draft bills and answer constituent phone calls during her time with the delegate.

Jones said her experience working closely with Shank would “absolutely” help to distinguish her from her opponents in the race to fill the open District 2A delegate seat vacated by the resignation of Robert McKee. Washington County Commissioners James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell, Williamsport Mayor James G. McLeaf, II, Williamsport Councilman Jeffrey A. Cline, and former Washington County Commissioner John C. Munson highlight the remaining 18 candidates.

Elizabeth A. Jones has worked as a legislative aide to Del. Christopher Shank (R-2B) for six years. In that time, Jones told PolitickerMD.com that the current minority whip has “constantly relied” on her “to be by his side” providing assistance. Among other responsibilities, Jones said she has helped to draft bills and answer constituent phone calls during her time with the delegate.

Jones said her experience working closely with Shank would “absolutely” help to distinguish her from her opponents in the race to fill the open District 2A delegate seat vacated by the resignation of Robert McKee. Washington County Commissioners James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell, Williamsport Mayor James G. McLeaf, II, Williamsport Councilman Jeffrey A. Cline, and former Washington County Commissioner John C. Munson highlight the remaining 18 candidates.

On Delegates: 'I Majored In Miracles, Not Math'

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee: Enveloped by supporters and pressFormer Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee told a crowd of supporters at the University of Maryland in College Park that he would remain in the Republican presidential race until a candidate amasses the necessary 1,191 delegates to secure the nomination.

“This campaign is not over,” Huckabee said. “People in 27 states haven’t voted yet.”

That being said, NBC News currently projects Huckabee with 195 delegates, far behind Sen. John McCain, who has 721.

Perhaps acknowledging the uphill climb that he faces, Huckabee told the crowd of largely college students, that he “did not major in math, but majored in miracles.”

“And I still believe in (miracles),” he added.

Mike Huckabee’s victory in the Iowa presidential caucus gives him a chance to win Maryland’s Feb. 12 primary, said a key supporter, state Sen. Larry E. Haines.

“The people in Iowa overwhelmingly supported Mike Huckabee,” Haines said. “This is a very big win.”

House Minority Whip Christopher Shank, Del. Tony McConkey, former state Sen. Christopher J. McCabe, and former Del. Emil Pielke are among Huckabee’s committed state supporters.

“(Huckabee) is going to do well in Maryland,” Haines said.

Some of you may now be wondering how GOP Iowa caucus winner and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will fare in other states, particularly Maryland's Feb. 12 primary.