Rudy Giuliani

Barack Obama's folks are asking Majority Leader Steny Hoyer what he'd like to see in a vice presidential candidate, among other things, but will any other elected officials from Maryland have their say heard by Obama's vetting team? Or John McCain's?

Chris Van Hollen will likely get a word in. Gov. Bob Ehrlich could talk a bit about Rudy Giuliani's performance on the trail or, better yet, Michael Steele's. No doubt Obama's people will want to hear from Barbara Mikulski on winning with women and ethnic whites.

What other Marylanders will have their opinions heard at the highest echelon of vice presidential vetting?

A group of state Republican leaders and activists who supported various presidential candidates early in the primary process have formed a “unity team” as a suggested fusion slate to represent Maryland at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

“The idea is to bring everyone on board in support of Sen. (John) McCain,” Corey Stottlemyer, the former political director of the state Republican party and unity team member, said.

Chris Cavey, the first vice chairman of the state party, is leading the effort.

“We have presented the unity team as a suggestion for those who do not necessarily have a ballot,” Cavey said.

The plan is not endorsed by Jim Pelura, the chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.

“The Maryland Republican Party does not have slate,” Pelura told PolitickerMD.com.

In today’s Washington Times, Rep. Ron Paul complains that the Republican Party is not doing enough to reach out to his supporters and bring them in to the fold.

"I don't think they want them," said Paul, whose campaign raised $32.6 million in small dollar donations, including a one-day $6 million online haul, and received 803,217 votes (4.5%) this primary season – more than Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson.

But some Ron Paul supporters are reaching out on their own, as Fifth District GOP nominee Collins Bailey will meet with the St. Mary’s Republican Club tomorrow night.

Paul did note that only National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Cole called him about retaining his supporters, but their worries are too big for challenging someone like Steny Hoyer.

Eliot Spitzer is just the latest in a long list of political sex scandals that goes back to the Continental Congress. Politicker.com has a list of America’s Top 53 Political Sex Scandals that includes prostitutes, sex with minors, strippers, extramarital affairs, massages, nude swim parties, and even a murder. #35 is from Maryland. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIST

Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele told PolitickerMD.com today that he would give “high consideration” to accepting a cabinet position if Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is elected president in November and offers the Marylander a seat.

“I’d look to help Sen. McCain in any way possible,” Steele said when asked if he would be interested in the vice presidency or any other cabinet position.

Initially, Steele said the idea was “so not on the page,” saying he was focused on his responsibilities as chairman of GOPAC, the conservative political action committee (PAC) that trains Republican candidates to run for elected office.

When asked if he would rule out the notion, however, Steele said, “No.”

“My mother taught me that you don’t rule anything out,” he added.

It was then that Steele mentioned his high regards for McCain, and after saying he would have to discuss the idea of a cabinet position with his family, Steele acknowledged that he would highly consider the opportunity.

The former lieutenant governor also weighed-in on the defeat of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) in Maryland’s Feb. 12 congressional primary.

In a NJ general election battleground district, a GOP candidate fires Andy Harris' consultant, Jamestown Associates, over its How to Rig an Election ties.

Those who voted for Edwards and Giuliani via absentee ballot want a do-over. Funny thing is, they're getting it.

Del. LeRoy MyersSays Campaign Decisions ‘Made No Sense'

Delegate LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. was heavily critical of the strategy that the presidential campaign of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani presented over the last month, saying the mayor's decision to "put everything into Florida" did not "make any sense."

Giuliani dropped out of the race after finishing a distant third behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in Tuesday's Florida primary. The mayor endorsed McCain upon his withdrawal.

Myers, a member of the House of Delegates since 2003, was a pledged Giuliani supporter and delegate in Maryland. He knows a thing or two about campaign strategy, having defeated the sitting House Speaker Cas Taylor in 2002.

Discussing his decision to become a Giuliani delegate, Myers said, "I thought there would be more activity in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina."

Farewell

Harford County Executive David Craig told PolitickerMD.com that the race for the Republican presidential nomination is “wide-open,” and that his preferred candidate, Rudy Giuliani, could win.

Giuliani, who placed a distant fifth in Iowa and fourth in New Hampshire, is essentially riding his campaign on winning in Florida, where the primary is scheduled for Jan. 29.