A Protection Racket Goes to Hell.

Writing blogs is like writing anything else.  Sometimes, there is a bit of a struggle, while at other times, whatever it is you’re writing about just falls in your lap – basically, it writes itself, and all that’s up to the writer to do is transcribe it.  This blog is a perfect example of the latter.

A few days back, an email sent from Red Maryland (Yeah, I know – chuckle, chuckle!) showed up in my inbox.  Now, I didn’t get this email from Red Maryland, but a few candidates for office received it and forwarded it to me.

In fact, along with one candidate sending me Red Maryland’s email, s/he  added the following message: “… A bunch of us got this, and had a nice little laugh.”

I can fully understand why.

Here, in full and uncut, is Red Maryland’s email. Red Maryland Can Help Your Campaign Dear (Candidate’s Name), We all know how hard it is being a Republican candidate in Maryland  to get your message out. Trust us, we’ve been there.

As Maryland’s Conservative Voice, we can help. Red Maryland has a number of ways that we can help you get the message out to like-minded conservatives in your upcoming primary election.

Using our platforms at BaltimoreSun.com, RedMaryland.com, and the Red Maryland Network we can help introduce you to the public and make sure that your message gets heard. Advertise with Us: Red Maryland has a number of advertising packages that we can offer your campaign.

Basic Packages: 1 commercial spot: $5; 1 show, 3 spots: $151 week package (all Red Maryland Network shows): $70 Monthly package $250 ($50 discount) 3 spots per show, 5 shows per week, 4-week duration Network Sponsorship $700 per year: Live read of sponsorship copy at beginning and end of each show, 1 spot per network show for an entire year, and banner ad placement on RedMaryland.com. For information about advertising, contact us at 410-205-4875 or redmaryland@gmail.com

Come on Our Shows Red Maryland provides opportunities for Republican candidates to appear on our radio network, whether they are running for state, local, or federal office. As an example, Dan Bongino made his first radio appearance as a U.S. Senate candidate on our airwaves back in 2011. All of our Red Maryland hosts opportunity love to have you on our airwaves.

We also have a dedicated weekly show, Red Maryland Election Focus, which provides candidates an opportunity to talk about their views and their campaigns. For information on appearing on one of our shows, contact us at 410-205-4875 or redmaryland@gmail.com

We Want to Help Like we said, as conservatives we understand how hard it can be to get your message our in Maryland. Our team has nearly a decade of experience in online media; let us work with you to bring about the change we seek, and elect the conservative candidates our state needs. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 410-205-4875 or redmaryland@gmail.com. Conservatively, The Editors of Red Maryland

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“Conservatively, The Editors of Red Maryland?” Conservatively?! Really? Whocame up with THAT sign off?

(Red Maryland’s Greg Kline threatens to eat his microphone.)

Had the editors of Red Maryland written what I think they wanted to write, it would have been along the lines of “pay us and we’ll have you on our show and say nice things about you and we’ll fuck your opponent over. Capiche?”

The thing is that Red MD, which billed itself in the letter as the “Conservative voice” of Maryland got into the paid protection racket a little too late.  And, by that I mean, Red MD no longer has the juice to intimidate or frighten anyone into paying them for the honor of being feted on one of their shows.

I don’t know if it happened when they became the adopted bastards of The Baltimore Sun or what, but now every time I hear anyone talk about Red Maryland (which in and of itself is becoming less and less), the conversation usually ends with a derisive comment being made about them.  These one time revolutionaries have since become the poster boys for the establishment.

And, if further proof be needed that they lack the juice to intimidate or coerce payments for flattering words consider the “nice little laugh” a circle of candidates had when they received the copy of the above letter.  There’s no fear there – no nothing, other than perhaps a fear of laughing yourself to death.

And, at least two folks associated with Red Maryland  – Jackie Wellfonder and Mark Newgent  did and in Mark Newgent’s case seemingly do take money for political favors – thus blowing the lid off of any claims Red Maryland can ever again make that they can be trusted to be objective.

Now, let me say this right here and now: Red Maryland received no money…but Wellfonder did and Newgent apparently still does.  And, in Newgent’s case at least, he is one of Red Maryland’s “Big Fish.”

In the case of Red Maryland contributor, Jackie Wellfonder, she worked doing communications for newly minted State Senator Steve Hershey. She had him on her radio show, etc. etc.

But, at least, Wellfonder wrote a mea culpa about it on Raging Against the Rhetoric, in which she said… “Moving forward, I get that people should know who I’m working for  when I’m covering a race.”

Now,  whenever anyone says,”Moving forward,” I cringe – because it lets me know that they know they did something shitty and wants to run away from it as quickly as possible.

But, nonetheless and as I stated, she did offer a mea culpa.

Unlike Mark Newgent.

On February 20th on my Face Page, Newgent wrote in part that… “Red Maryland is not being paid by Larry Hogan. Red Maryland is a general partnership, and you won’t find any payments to Red Maryland general partnership on the upcoming finance reports. I, as an individual have been paid by Change Maryland and yes just now by the Hogan campaign to do oppoistion research on the O’Malley/Brown administration.”

I then asked Mark Newgent if he was “admitting that you, as an individual, are currently (or just recently) having received/are receiving money/a contract from Larry Hogan’s campaign for opposition research despite the fact that you, as a board member with Red Maryland, voted to endorse Larry Hogan for Governor?”

And, to that, Mr. Newget replied in part by writing,  “Yes, and in the words of the Misfits “So fucking what!”

Now, granted, there was more to Newgent’s response than “So fucking what!” but it was all candy coated, sugar blather – nothing of any substance.  Of course.

So Fucking What, indeed.

In the end, candidates are going to do what candidates are going to do.  Well, if they have any brains, I can bet what they won’t do – fall for Red Maryland’s basic- and laughable – protection racket style of media.

A hat tip and thanks to those candidates who forwarded me the email!