Fred Thompson

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.

Del. J.B. JenningsState Delegate J.B. Jennings is guessing that Sen. John McCain of Arizona will receive the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

“I just see momentum going that way,” Jennings, a Republican from District 7, told PolitickerMD.com. “It’s just my gut feeling.”

Jennings had been a supporter of former Sen. Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign. The delegate said he would likely remain neutral among the remaining GOP candidates.

While predicting that McCain would ultimately prevail, Jennings said the race would come down to a choice between McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Anthony J. O’Donnell, the Minority Leader in the House of Delegates, said he would likely remain neutral among the remaining Republican presidential candidates. The minority leader had been a vocal supporter of former Sen. Fred Thompson, who ended his campaign earlier this week.

In an interview today with PolitickerMD.com, O’Donnell said he “thought Thompson was the right guy, but it didn’t work out that way.”

More or less, Maryland’s Republican activists are still evenly spread between the major presidential candidates.

Joining their colleagues on the February 12th Maryland ballot, Democratic presidential contestants U.S. Senator Joe Biden, Governor Bill Richardson, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and former Senator Mike Gravel have now filed their certificates of candidacy.

Now also on the Republican side are former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Senator Fred Thompson, Congressmen Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo.