Censored Whig Letters

Republicans for Kratovil to hold breakfast on March 11

Kent and Queen Anne’s County Republicans are holding a breakfast in honor of Frank Kratovil, Democratic candidate for Maryland’s First Congressional District, 7:30 a.m. on March 11 at the Kent Center in Chestertown. Scott Bramble, Joseph C. Flanagan, Jr., Frank Frohn, Trey Hill, Howard Rose and Karen Willis are hosting.

Frank Kratovil is the twice-elected State’s Attorney for Queen Anne’s County. He was first elected in 2002. A two-term president of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, Kratovil has prosecuted thousands of cases in the past 12 years. Kratovil, 39, his wife Kimberly and four sons reside in Stevensville on Kent Island.

“I appreciate the support of these First District Republicans, all of them are respected in their communities,” said Frank Kratovil. “We all share a common respect for Congressman Wayne Gilchrest because of his character and his commitment to excellent constituent service and advancing issues important to the First District.”

“As a prosecutor, I have to make decisions based on facts and law, right and wrong, not partisan grandstanding,” Frank Kratovil said. “I will use those same leadership qualities in the United States Congress to represent the mainstream values of the First District.”

“By restoring fiscal responsibility and responsibly ending the war in Iraq, we can focus on the real priorities of affordable health care; energy independence; restoring the Chesapeake Bay; and immigration reform that increases border security, promotes lawful immigration, and improves workplace enforcement.”

EVENT DETAILS

EVENT: Republicans for Kratovil Breakfast

DATE: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

TIME: 7:30 a.m.

PLACE: Kent Center, 218 Scheeler Road, Chestertown, Maryland, 21620

RESERVATIONS: contact@kratovil.com or call 443-249-0607

NRCC failed Rep. Gilchrest, aide contends

By Aaron Blake

Posted: 02/26/08 08:05 PM [ET]

A top aide to ousted Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) criticized the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Tuesday for not sharing polling information it had on the race prior to the Feb. 12 primary.

Caligiuri left open the possibility that Gilchrest might endorse Kratovil in the general election after a nasty primary battle with Harris. Harris defeated Gilchrest 43-33, bringing an end to the centrist incumbent’s 18-year House career.

Gilchrest has regularly won two-thirds of the general election vote, making his endorsement potentially key to an uphill battle for Kratovil.

“No decision has been made about anything,” Caligiuri said.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/nrcc-failed-rep.-gilchrest-aide-contends-2008-02-26.html

Labor-friendly Talk Radio in Delaware and Pennsylvania

By Stephen Crockett (OPEIU, UAW & USW)

This writer first became aware that working people in Delaware had friends on the airwaves doing talk radio when Brian McGlinchey, Regional Director of Government Affairs for the Laborers’ (LIUNA), introduced me to Dana Garrett. Along with Marian Peleski, Dana Garrett hosts the popular Progressive Voices program on WVUD 91.3 FM on Mondays between 7:30pm and 8pm.

WVUD is the University of Delaware station that can be heard in most parts of New Castle County. The station offers live streaming on the Internet which can be heard anywhere an Internet connection is available. The program deals with local, national and international issues from a progressive perspective. Listeners can participate by emailing the show when it is being broadcast at provoices@gmail.com.

Because Dana Garrett is an excellent talk radio show host with a strong pro-labor record, he has just been added as the third co-host of my national Democratic Talk Radio program. Democratic Talk Radio is headquartered at the UAW Local 1183 complex in Newark, Delaware. It will be on the air in Jacksonville, Florida at WZNZ 1460 AM and will soon be available in the greater Allentown, Pennsylvania area. Both stations likely to carry the program stream live on the Internet.

All Democratic Talk Radio programs will be archived on our website programs page at http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com and can be streamed live or downloaded for Podcasting. Democratic Talk Radio is currently negotiating for live broadcasting in Delaware with several stations.

Many Delaware unions are closely connected with larger labor entities in Pennsylvania. Two important labor-friendly talk radio shows in that state are available over the Internet.

The Rick Smith Show is based in the Harrisburg market. Rick Smith is active with the Teamsters and Vice-President of the International Labor Communications Association. His website is http://www.thericksmithshow.com.

Labor to Neighbor is broadcast out of Philadelphia. The Labor to Neighbor Radio Show is heard Tuesdays at noon. The hosts are Patrick J. Eiding and Janet H. Ryder. Patrick J. Eiding is the president of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO. Janet Hammond Ryder is the vice president of labor participation for both the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and the United Way of Southeastern PA. Their website is http://900amwurd.com/2008/?p=51.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
February 22, 2008 CONTACT: Abe Amorós
PHONE: (717) 829-6184

MCCAIN’S AZ CO-CHAIR INDICTED
Bad Week Gets Worse for GOP Frontrunner

HARRISBURG - Today’s indictment of Congressman Rick Renzi, Co-Chair of John McCain’s campaign in Arizona, caps off a week of problems for McCain that have raised serious questions about his credibility on ethics. McCain had announced Renzi as part of his ‘Arizona Leadership Team’ on January 26th even though the now-indicted Congressman had been under investigation for more than a year for his role in a land deal and legislation to benefit a business partner. [Roll Call, 4/19/07]

Besides the indictment of his Arizona Co-Chair, McCain was rebuked by the FEC this week for trying to drop out of public financing, and told to explain how he obtained a loan to revive his campaign. Additionally, a ballot challenge was filed this week in Indiana, where it appears McCain did not get the signatures needed to get on the ballot, but relied on Republican government officials in the state to get him on anyway. And new reports this week about McCain’s proximity to lobbyists, including the many who run his campaign, left unanswered questions about what he may or may not have done for their clients. [Associated Press, 2/21/08; MSNBC, 2/22/08]

“The indictment of McCain’s Arizona Co-Chair, the FEC rebuke of his attempt to skirt public financing laws, and McCain’s failure to answer questions about his ties to lobbyists raise serious questions about McCain’s ethical standards,” said T.J. Rooney, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman. “The American people have already rejected the Republican Culture of Corruption and deserve clearer answers and straight talk from Senator McCain about the ethical clouds over his campaign.”

INDICTED CO-CHAIR

January 2008: Despite Being Under Investigation, Renzi Makes McCain’s ‘Arizona Leadership Team’ Along With “Influential Lobbyists.” Less than one month ago, John McCain’s campaign announced its ‘Arizona Leadership Team,’ which included now indicted Congressman Rick Renzi, who was already under investigation “for his part in [a] land-swap deal.” The Business Journal of Phoenix also reported that “McCain’s business and political backers in his home state include about 20 influential lobbyists and political consultants who represent industries and other interests. They include former congressman Matt Salmon, John Kaites, Doug Cole, Chuck Coughlin, Stan Barnes, Marcus Dell’Artino, Steve Roman and Michael Preston Green. Bettina Nava as well as Wes and Deb Gullett who have worked for McCain in various capacities as well as held consulting or lobbying posts also are part of the Arizona senator’s 2008 effort.” [The Business Journal of Phoenix, 2/1/08]

April 2007: Renzi Joined McCain for “Orwellian Publicity Stunt” in Baghdad. After John McCain claimed there were neighborhoods safe enough for him to walk through in Baghdad, Cong. Rick Renzi joined him for a tour of a Baghdad market but sporting bulletproof vests while accompanied by “100 American soldiers, with three Blackhawk helicopters, and two Apache gunships overhead.” [NBC Nightly News, 4/1/2007; Cong. Mike Pence, Press Release, 4/3/07] Headlines soon after the trip called McCain’s statements “propaganda” and a “magic-carpet ride.” The Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon, declared: “Brainwashed McCain is a straight-talker no more.” An op-ed in the Rocky Mountain News called McCain’s staged walk through a Baghdad market “a truly Orwellian publicity stunt.” Chastened, McCain issued a half-hearted apology a few days later, saying he ‘misspoke’ when he pointed to his little walk under the protection of several platoons from the world’s most powerful military as evidence of Baghdad’s excellent shopping opportunities.” [The Washington Post, 4/7/07; Rocky Mountain News, 4/10/07]

June 2006: McCain Issued Fundraising E-mail For Renzi. In June of 2006, “McCain sent out a fundraising e-mail to supporters.asking them [to] help Renzi… urged fellow Republicans to support Renzi’s reelection bid.” That December Renzi attended a Christmas Party McCain held for his Straight Talk America PAC, the atmosphere of which was described as “uneasy interaction between McCain’s media ‘base’ and his new, Washington Republican donor base.” [The Business Journal of Phoenix, 6/27/06; The Hotline, On Call, 12/5/06]

INDIANA COVER UP

Ballot Challenge Filed Afer Potential Cover Up. John McCain is in Indiana today where a ballot challenge was filed this week raising questions about whether his campaign collected enough signatures in the Fourth Congressional District to qualify for the ballot, and whether his backers acted improperly to cover up the lack of signatures and put McCain on the ballot anyway. Asked about the controversy this morning, John McCain gave what amounted to a wink and a nod, saying, “I will rely on the governor heavily to make sure that I am on the ballot. And knowing his efficiency, I’m sure that he can do that.” [MSNBC, 2/22/08]

FEC LETTER

FEC Questions McCain’s Attempt to Drop Out of Public Financing. The Federal Election Commission sent a letter to John McCain this week saying his decision to turn down federal funding for the rest of the primary season may not be legal, asking for an explanation as to wheter he pledged to remain in the federal funding system to secure a $4 million loan to save his campaign. [Associated Press, 2/21/08]

MCCAIN’S CLOSENESS TO LOBBYISTS

News of Closeness to Lobbyists Raises New Questions. “But when McCain huddled with his closest advisers at his rustic Arizona cabin last weekend to map out his presidential campaign, virtually every one was part of the Washington lobbying culture he has long decried. His campaign manager, Rick Davis, co-founded a lobbying firm whose clients have included Verizon and SBC Telecommunications. His chief political adviser, Charles R. Black Jr., is chairman of one of Washington’s lobbying powerhouses, BKSH and Associates, which has represented AT&T, Alcoa, JPMorgan and U.S. Airways. Senior advisers Steve Schmidt and Mark McKinnon work for firms that have lobbied for Land O’ Lakes, UST Public Affairs, Dell and Fannie Mae. McCain’s relationship with lobbyists became an issue this week after it was reported that his aides asked Vicki Iseman, a telecom lobbyist, to distance herself from his 2000 presidential campaign because it would threaten McCain’s reputation for independence.” [Washington Post, 2/22/08]

O’Malley chastises mortgage industry

He decries low level of service for those facing foreclosure

By Laura Smitherman

Sun reporter

February 20, 2008

Gov. Martin O’Malley accused the mortgage industry yesterday of failing to follow through on promised assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure and called on more than two dozen loan servicers to meet with him in Annapolis next week.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.foreclosure20feb20,0,3755449,print.story

While not winning Cecil County, Frank Kratovil easily carried the Congressional District over his other 3 rivals. County by county final return numbers can be found here http://www.kratovil.net/enews9.html.

We were very lucky that the Republicans selected the weakest of their 3 possible candidates to run against Kratovil.

Personally, I believe that the Cecil Whig did a simply awful job of covering his candidacy during the Primary. The Cecil Whig refused to print my endorsement Letter to the Editor and did not cover his many campaign trips to Cecil County. The Cecil Whig news coverage of all the Democratic candidates in Cecil County ranged from non-existent to nearly non-existent.

If the Cecil Whig coverage does not improve greatly, I might try to organize a reader boycott, an advertiser boycott and a recurring picketing campaign of the newspaper.

Maryland’s primary election takes place Tuesday, Feb. 12. In addition to presidential primaries, citizens will be voting in the following congressional primary races for which we offer the following endorsements:

The 1st District, which includes Cockeysville as well as Maryland’s Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel, Cecil and Harford counties, has attracted serious interest from both Democratic and Republican candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives.

On the GOP side, we endorse incumbent Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest. The nine-term congressman, who lives in Kent County, has been criticized in advertisements sponsored by fellow Republican Andy Harris, one of four challengers in the primary field, as being a “tax-and-spend liberal.” But we like the former Marine’s tough stance on illegal immigrants — he favors securing our border with a fence and proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license — as well as his understanding of the complexities of the war in Iraq, an issue which he says requires our planners to “craft options that place more responsibility on the Iraqis to determine their future security.” We remind challenger Harris, a Cockeysville resident, that taxes pay for many worthy programs and services needed and welcomed by citizens of all political stripes.

Four Democrats are vying in the Democratic primary in the 1st District. They are Steve Harper, an Anne Arundel County resident and former foreign service officer; Frank M. Kratovil Sr., a Queen Anne’s County resident and state’s attorney; Christopher Robert Robinson, a Talbot county resident and attorney, and Joseph Werner, a Harford county resident and attorney.

Kratovil wins our endorsement. Not just because he has garnered endorsements from the likes of officials such as Gov. Martin O’Malley and Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. Not just because the first-time candidate has far outstripped the other three candidates in raising campaign funds.

But we believe Kratovil displays a deeper understanding of the issues and a stronger problem-solving ability that would serve his constituents well.

In the 2nd District, which includes part of northwest, central and eastern Baltimore County, there is no contested primary. Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger, the incumbent, will face Republican challenger Richard Matthews in November’s general election.

In the 3rd District, we endorse Democrat John Sarbanes and Republican Paul Spause in the races for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sarbanes is the incumbent and has a rich governmental pedigree.

We like his approach to dealing with illegal aliens, such as wanting new technologies and physical barriers to protect U.S. borders and cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers. We also like his desire to help homeowners by promoting legislation that would increase disclosure and transparency from lenders.

Spause’s education and experience, coupled with his stands on a wide range of issues, indicates intelligence, clear-thinking and an appreciation for the complexity of the problems he would have to face.

He recognizes that the economy is a serious problem. We support his multifaceted approach, which includes not only conservation but also tapping domestic fossil fuels, and increasing electricity output from nuclear power. His proposal to reform the federal tax system to keep businesses, the service industry and manufacturing from leaving the United States is a good idea.

Delegate Rudy Cane will host breakfast for Frank Kratovil; Labor leaders, Democrats will gather to “Get Out the Vote”

February 7th, 2008

Delegate Rudy Cane (D-37A) will host a breakfast for Frank Kratovil in Salisbury Saturday, February 9, 2008. Labor leaders and Democratic activists supporting Kratovil’s candidacy for Maryland’s First Congressional District will gather to promote the campaign’s Get Out the Vote effort.

Kratovil, 39, is the two-term State’s Attorney for Queen Anne’s County, where he lives with his wife Kimberly and their four sons.

Frank Kratovil has also been endorsed by Maryland’s Democratic leadership, Maryland/DC AFL-CIO, the National Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education, the Maryland State Teachers Association, and Service Employees International Union.

DETAILS:

EVENT: Delegate Rudy Cane hosts breakfast for Frank Kratovil

DATE: Saturday, February 9, 2008

TIME: 8:00 AM

LOCATION: Gold Star Restaurant

507 W. Salisbury Pkwy
Salisbury, Md. 21801

http://www.midatlanticlabor.com

New rules could disrupt services to poor, panel told

Md. risks a cut in Medicaid funds

By Timothy B. Wheeler

Sun reporter

February 2, 2008

Maryland officials warned yesterday that new federal regulations could disrupt medical and social services to as many as 200,000 poor adults and children in the state, many of them with disabilities or chronic health problems……

Click here to read rest of Baltimore Sun story

Maryland Republicans Set to Lose Congressional Seat

Democrats have numerous possible opportunities to replace Republican members of Congress with Democratic challengers in 2008. Republicans are retiring at rates that must be alarming to the Republican Party. While it is difficult to keep up with the rapid pace of Republican retirement announcements, I believe that at least 26 Republican House members and 6 Republican Senators are leaving office. Only 6 Democratic House members are confirmed as retiring. Zero Democratic Senators are currently known to be leaving office. Some of the Democratic House members are seeking Senate seats.

It is understandable that the media has focused on these seats but the best news for Democrats are the number of setting Republican incumbents from relatively safe Congressional Districts in deep trouble. This column will look at one Democratic challenger who is likely to retire a long-term Republican. The challenger is Frank Kratovil from the Maryland 1st Congressional District.

Most observers without a deep understanding of Maryland’s politics would likely overlook the Kratovil opportunity. The Republican incumbent Wayne Gilchrest has been successful in painting a very Right Wing voting record as “moderate”. For example, Gilchrest has an awful, lifetime labor voting record (in the teens). Gilchrest almost always votes against the interests of working Americans and for the interests of huge corporations. Historically, he has voted on the overwhelming majority of issues with the Bush Republicans.

Gilchrest occasionally picks an issue (often environmental) to break with the Republican Right on and publicizes the break extensively. There appears to be a pattern of making sure that the votes where Gilchrest strayed from the Republican fold were not decisive votes that impacted eventually passage of actual legislation. Although recently Gilchrest sometimes votes on Iraq against the Bush White House, the Bush Administration is currently backing Gilchrest in a bitter three way Republican Primary according to published reports.

The Maryland Republican Party is in full civil war mode. Two strong Republican state senators are running against Gilchrest in the February 12th Republican Primary. State Senator Andy Harris has the backing of 7 out of 8 Republican State Senators representing parts of the Congressional District along with most of the Maryland Republican hierarchy including the former Republican Governor Ehlrich. The other State Senator running for Congress is E.J. Pipkin. Pipkin is a former junk bond trader who has a huge personal net worth and seemingly unlimited personal political ambition. He has already run statewide as the Republican nominee for U.S Senate but lost badly in the general election.

Harris and Pipkin are both running highly negative campaigns. Both are serious challengers. If Gilchrest only faced one challenger, he would be unlikely to survive the Republican Primary. One recent poll showed that 60 percent of Republicans have negative views of Gilchrest. Republicans are busy spending huge amounts of money driving up each others negatives. Whoever, wins the Republican nomination will emerge a much weaker Republican candidate than is normal in the district. Even in Maryland’s most conservative Congressional District, it is a bad year to be running as a Republican!

Frank Kratovil is a very strong Democratic candidate. He does face other Democratic Primary opponents but they are unlikely to beat Kratovil. The Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller are all supporting Kratovil. In addition, the Maryland AFL-CIO and the teacher unions are strongly supporting his campaign. Many local Democratic officeholders and organizations in all parts of 1st District have endorsed Kratovil with more expected this week.

He has demonstrated strong fund-raising abilities and will likely have some national financial support in his bid for Congress. The Internet has connected a national Democratic donor base with strong challengers all over the nation. These donors are likely to prove some financial support to Kratovil. Republicans are having difficulty raising money and have many incumbents in deep trouble.

Kratovil is the State’s Attorney from Queen Anne’s County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Kratovil is tough on crime. He shares the traditional values of the most rural and small town, Maryland Democrats of the 1st Congressional District. He is young, bright, energetic and attractive with a proven record of winning the votes of independent, Democratic and Republican voters. He has strong appeal in the rural communities and small-towns of the Eastern Shore that have often supported Gilchrest in the past.

The 1st District is rapidly changing as new people move into it. Many of these new voters are not inclined to vote Republican in 2008 and have no loyalty to Gilchrest. With Gilchrest losing much of his traditional support and Republicans engaging in civil war, the Democrats are very likely to win this Congressional seat.

Readers can learn more about Frank Kratovil by visiting his campaign website at http://frankkratovil.com/.

Written by Stephen Crockett (Co-host, Democratic Talk Radio http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com and Editor, Mid-Atlantic Labor.com http://www.midatlanticlabor.com ). Mail: 698 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, Delaware 19702. Email: midsouthcm@aol.com. Phone: 443-907-2367.

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