May 8, 2008 - 8:32am
Steele vs. Ehrlich 2010?
By Wally EdgeMaryland, it can be said, is a cramped state for ambitious Republicans. There are few offices they stand a chance at winning, and hence there isn't much space to grow.
For example: in an interview published today in the conservative magazine Human Events, former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele dishes on the presidential race, his prospects as John McCain's VP choice, but most importantly, his future in state politics.
And of all the offices he's thinking of, it's the one his former runningmate, Bob Ehrlich, is seeking as well.
"I’m intrigued by the idea of running for governor [in 2010]. I think Maryland is ripe for my brand of Lincoln Republicanism -- that focuses on individuals, not institutions, that focuses on families in communities, not programs and outdated unionization of ideas, if you will, and opportunity."
A head-to-head clash of Ehrlich and Steele in the 2010 primary wouldn't be much of a race. Ehrlich has built his cred among conservatives, retains rock solid support in places like Baltimore County, and is considered by many Republican insiders as getting a raw deal. He was popular in 2006 and would have won in any other year with his ratings.
Which is why Steele's also looking at another Senate run, in case Barbara Mikulski retires in 2010.
But, for arguments sake, what about a three-way gubernatorial primary where another big name gets in? In that case, all bets are off.
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I ran for Office in 2006 and
I ran for Office in 2006 and I was discussing Michael Steele in which he would be a running mate in 2008 or 2012.
I feel sorry he didn't
I feel sorry he didn't become a US Senator back in 2006 because the Democrats were bashing him for nothing. I hope he becomes a VP running mate because people in Maryland would end up voting for McCain and elect democrats for all 8 Congressional seats. It feels like 2008 in Maryland is going to be the good old days or not.
Evidence
What evidence do you have that Ehrlich retains "cred" among conservatives? GOP turnout declined in 2006, partially because conservatives were unhappy with his Administration's excessive spending in an election year, as well as his perceived softness on a number of social issues.
With regard to Baltimore County, he performed dismally in 2006 compared to four years earlier. He even lost some of the precincts (e. g. Dulaney High School) he routinely carried as a Congressman.
Ehrlich assumed his base would be with him simply because they had always been there for him before. He didn't bother courting them, and suffered as a result.
Michael Steele has become
Michael Steele has become famous for "thinking" many things that intrigued him. None of it had much value in reality.
After tremendous anger and ill-will both Steele and Ehrlich created for themselves with their "phony ballots" and busing in homeless poll workers from Philly in 2006 and from DC 4 years before that, neither of them has much "umph" with voters in Maryland anymore.
Don't confuse very old poll numbers with contemporary popularity. Ehrlich and Steele lost claiming they were polular but for months during the campaign they never came close to the Democrats who won in the end.
Polling snap shots only last on paper. Now they're being spun into the future as the reality for today?
That's wishful thinking on the part of the hopeful.
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