Governor Steffen?!

Either this past Sunday or Monday, I really can’t remember which day just now, I sent Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, a courtesy message letting him know that I was very seriously – and I can’t stress that enough – very seriously considering running against him for Governor in the 2018 MDGOP primary for Governor.

What kind of moronic, egotistical. basket case would even dare to consider running against a popular Governor in the primary?  This kind of moronic, egotistical, basket case, is who.  This guy, right here.

Yeah, yeah, yeah – I know. Seriously, what are the odds of me (or anyone) beating a Governor with a 70-something approval rating in his own party’s primary? 10% (1 out of 10), 1% (1 out of 100), 1/1oth of 1% (1 out of 1000)?  To which I say: So what? To quote John Belushi’s character, Bluto, in the greatest comedy movie of all-time, “Animal House”…

“Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?”

Which more or less leads me to my reason for so strongly considering putting my name on the ballot: Why not? Seriously, it’s not like they can find any further dirt on me, is it? I mean, I guess they could make shit up and the like, but who cares? I don’t. Couple that with how much fun it would be…and judging from some of the encouragement and open support my giving it thought has already garnered – not to mention some of the folks who’ve offered to be my LG candidate (5 people so far, 3 of whom are well known MDGOP commodities) it would be a blast!

Anyway, besides “Why not?,” the next biggest reason for my considering a run is that – in addition to my belief that no one should get a free ride, ever – Larry Hogan (whom I really do like, personally) needed to do SOMETHING besides reduce a few tolls and issue an Executive Order on when schools can start. And, I’m not talking about the “manufactured crisis” du jour regarding air conditioning in schools.  I’m talking about how he could have and should have cut the damned budget – which, in Maryland, the governor can do (and there ain’t much the legislature can do about it) – how he could have issued an executive order on CCW turning MD from a “may issue” to a “shall issue” state.

And, don’t even start me on the fact that Planned Parenthood has yet to be defunded in the once “Free State” of Maryland…as it has been in New Jersey, where Larry Hogan’s pal, Governor Chris Christie holds court.  In the “not exactly a bastion of rightwing extremism” of New Jersey, Christie has defunded Planned Parenthood  – and yet, magically perhaps, somehow both Chris Christie and PP continue to exist up yonder.

So, why hasn’t Larry Hogan done the same thing in Maryland?

Again, I’m considering a run – and, in writing about it here, I’ve just listed my top three issues should I do so: Budget, CCW and letting Planned Parenthood fend for themselves. After that, I’d probably take a nap and leave y’all alone.

I will likely make my decision within a month or so of this November’s Presidential Election and, should I run, I’ll very likely announce my candidacy right around the start of the legislative session. I’m just that kind of guy.

What would Andy Kaufman do?

A New MDGOP “IN” and “OUT” List

An interesting thing about lists is that most everybody makes them over damned near everything: Grocery lists, song lists, “What to do about that itch?” lists… You know what I’m talking about. Anyway, this not-so-subtle prelude is to a list I’m going to write below. Can you dig it?  Of course, you can.

This list is of who and/or what is now “in” and now “out” as concerns the influencers of the MDGOP – as a result of the great change that took place at last weekend’s MDGOP convention in which Citizens United’s David Bossie ousted Longtime MDGOP National Committeeman, Louis Pope. Yeah, yeah, yeah…I know what you’re thinking:  “Come on, Steffen, what is it with all of this “inside-baseball” stuff lately?”  Well, I can go a bit harder and higher with an inside fastball or two, if you’d like, but I don’t think that THAT’s really necessary.

Anyway, I repeat, this is nothing other than my list of who is “in” and who is “out” as concerns being an influencer in, to and for, the state MDGOP hierarchy as a result of what went down at last week’s MDGOP convention.

Ready? Good, because here is the list of the “Ins…”

IN:

David Bossie (MDGOP National Committeeman-Elect), Nicolee Ambrose (MDGOP National Committeewoman), Insurgents within the GOP, the New Kids on the Block (not the band, but think: Delegate Robin Grammer, Christina Trotta and the like…) The Liberty Movement, Boxing Gloves with which to do battle, Conservative Republicanism, Fearlessness  and a few other things I’ve likely missed.

Now, for the “Out” list…

OUT:

Defeated MDGOP National Committeeman, Louis Pope (who, believe it or not, had someone request that he be placed on the Rules Committee for this summer’s National GOP Convention at yesterday’s delegation meeting – a request that was met with a resounding “Hell no!”), MDGOP State Chair Diana Waterman, the Establishment within the MDGOP, Kid Gloves, which had been used to play Patty-Cake with (rather than trying to slap your opponents silly), Rockefeller Republicanism, Fearfulness, and a few other things I’ve likely missed.

The biggest “OUT” I hadn’t listed above is Maryland’s Republican Governor Larry Hogan. Yes, it’s a bit strange calling a GOP Governor with an incredibly high approval rating “OUT,” but I do have my reasons for calling him an “OUT” as concerns being an influencer with the MDGOP apparatus – the first of which is that he is “OUT” compared to where he previously stood with said apparatus.

Formerly, I could see the MDGOP Executive Committee bowing to any/all demands Larry and his administration may have had. Larry Hogan was both the King AND the King-Maker. Now, or at least once the new Executive Committee takes office following this summer’s National Convention in Cleveland, not so much.  This new Executive Committee will, I predict, call things as it sees them for the good of the party as a whole – and not specifically for any one man/woman or King over all others.

The second reason I am calling Larry Hogan an “OUT” right now is that his administration did itself no favors by having/allowing the LG, Boyd Rutherford, to nominate/endorse Louis Pope for re-election against Committeeman-Elect, David Bossie. It really didn’t. And, as I wrote a week ago, Bossie knocking off Pope, though just one change – changes EVERYTHING as concerns the votes on the MDGOP Executive Committee.  It completely swings the balance of power.

I’m not saying that David Bossie specifically or the Executive Committee as a whole is going to buck Larry Hogan for the sake of bucking him – no, not at all.  Politics is politics and, once the dust settles, everyone still needs to work together and all of that nicey-nice stuff.  But, I am saying that I think that anything Larry Hogan may want or says he needs – just like anything else that will come across the Executive Committee’s table – will now be looked at without a rubber stamp attached.

And, there you have it. Thus concludes this little exercise in list making….

…For what it’s worth.

Ka-BOOM!

I’ve been involved in Politics, Professional and otherwise, for the past 35 or so years, and I’ve never before witnessed such a grand and glorious version of political theater than I saw take place yesterday (Saturday, May 14^th) at the MDGOP Spring Convention.  It was stunning and it was beautiful. You could call it stunningly beautiful and beautifully stunning – either descriptor would work just fine.

To begin with, MDGOP National Committeewoman, Nicolee Ambrose, was re-elected for another four year term which commences at this year’s GOP Convention in Cleveland.  She was re-elected by acclamation – and to an absolutely deafening, thunderous, applause.

And then…

It was time to put MDGOP Committeeman, Louis Pope, on the spit and baste him in his effort to hang on to his seat against the challenge of Citizens United’s David Bossie. And this is where the political theater picked up in intensity – as if Ambrose’s victory via acclamation wasn’t intense enough.

Bossie’s first nominating speech was delivered by 1^st District GOP Congressman, Andy Harris – the only GOP Congressman in the state of Maryland.  And, it was delivered very nicely, too.  Harris recounted a lot of Bossie’s achievements both on the national level and going all the way back to David Bossie’s time as MD CFYR Presidency.

And this is where the political theater blew through the roof and into the stratosphere. It came time for David Bossie’s second nominating speech.  And, MDGOP National Committeewoman, Nicolee Ambrose – who’d just won re-election by acclamation – took to the microphone.

The “WHOAS!” that went through the crowd were audible and strong. The shift of the energy level on the convention floor was palpable.  Louis Pope was sitting there looking as though he’d just befouled himself.  This was unheard of: Pope’s female counterpart on the same committee was going to nominate his challenger to come along and kick his ass.

It was beautifully stunning.

And, did Nicolee Ambrose ever deliver a knockout of a speech. I’ll tell you what – Ms. Ambrose’s sense of timing and passion are impeccable.  And was she ever impassioned!  She did not denigrate Mr. Pope in the least – but what she did was sold David Bossie to the masses the left no question as to who should win.  Furthermore, the ending of her comments were incredible, when she looked out at where David Bossie was standing and shouted out, “David, Bring it!”  It was a magnificent and masterful performance – so much so, that a number of attendees told Ms. Ambrose that her speech convinced them to vote for David Bossie.

Then, it came Louis Pope’s turn – well, his nominating speaker’s turns, anyway – and up to the podium stepped MD Lieutenant Governor, Boyd Rutherford – who more or less mumbled his way through the basic bio of Pope and how he (Rutherford) and Pope were friends, that sort of thing.

After Ambrose’s electrifying performance in those 10 minutes that have forever altered the fortunes of the MDGOP, no matter what Rutherford may have said, it would have proven to be dramatically undramatic – as anti-climactic as anti-climactic can be.

Well, after Ambrose’s victory via acclamation, David Bossie smoked, as in absolutely crushed, Louis Pope by a total of 385-178. It was amazing and breathtakingly spectacular. Crushed, as he was, Pope left the convention floor – never to return.

And, those two votes change EVERYTHING for the MDGOP.

To begin with, there are the votes the three members will cast with the Republican National Committee. Such votes had been cast by Committeewoman Ambrose, Committeeman Pope, and State Chair Diana Waterman.  Normally – I said NORMALLY, not every time – the votes would come down 2-1 with Nicolee Ambrose being the “1.”Now, I predict these 2-1 votes will come down with Waterman being the “1” more often than not as I see Ambrose and Bossie, conservative political soulmates, voting the same way 90% of the time.

Secondly, there is what will happen on the MDGOP Executive Board, as with the new executive board, with the addition, of David Bossie, the conservatives rather than the old hack machine will now be in control. This is huge as the MDGOP Executive Board will no longer allow the state party to be used as a backstop.  Instead, I fully expect the MDGOP will be in the game – wholeheartedly and fully – for as long as both Ambrose and Bossie sit in control.  Between Nicolee Ambrose’s street smarts and enthusiasm for grassroots activism – see her Super Saturday successes – and David Bossie’s knowledge of  and friends on the national and local level to kick start funding for the MDGOP, I see a winning combination.

It’s interesting, but I see more losers than merely Louis Pope left in the wake of Saturday’s monumental votes and the thunderous applause which accompanied both of them. I also see the loss suffered by The Hogan Administration – who’s own LG endorsed Pope in his losing effort.  I heard a veritable boatload of people talking about “the embarrassment to the Administration” that Pope’s resounding loss to Bossie was.

Couple that with the insolence Governor Hogan has shown in refusing to get behind the Party’s Presumptive Presidential nominee, Donald Trump – who still rolled through MD on the way to winning the state on primary day, despite Hogan’s refusal to endorse him – and THAT embarrassment, when added to the Pope embarrassment, has me questioning the Hogan Administration’s most basic political instincts.

And, the answer ain’t good.

Whatever, there is now NO DOUBT who controls the MDGOP. Yeah, yeah, yeah – Larry Hogan may be the Governor and Diana Waterman may be the State Chair, but the control of the state party now lies in the very capable hands of Committeewoman Ambrose and Committeeman-Elect, Bossie.  They will have the votes, they will have the power. It’s really that simple.  And, judging from the reactions of the convention attendees, they couldn’t be happier.

The days of the MDGOP walking on its own grassroots activists are over. The days of the MDGOP being a laughingstock are over.

There is a new power – and it is here, now, and the new committee will be in position in a few short months. And it couldn’t have come to pass any sooner.

 

Szeliga Set to Duck a Debate

So, I understand that 1^st District GOP Congressman Andy Harris has endorsed his fellow doctor, Ben Carson for President.  Yeah, I’m sure THAT will save Carson’s foundering campaign…

And, it makes me want to ask his good friend and longtime partner in political crime, MD Delegate and Minority Whip and GOP US Senate candidate, Kathy Szeliga, her thoughts on Harris backing Carson. After all, the two of them pretty much don’t go to the rest room without telling the other ahead of time.  I know, I’ll ask Szeliga that very question tomorrow night at the MDGOP US Senate Debate!

Whoops! I can’t do that, since Szeliga’s not attending the debate, as she’s apparently decided it would be best to duck it. (Truth be told, I couldn’t make it either, because weeks ago I promised a friend a lift to the airport tomorrow night – but I’m not running for US Senate now, am I…)

Anyway, the US Senate debate, Kathy Szeliga-less though it may be, is scheduled for tomorrow night, February 18, 2016 at Goucher College in Towson.  It’s set to begin at 7PM and to wrap up around 9:30 or so. Further, I understand that the debate is jointly sponsored by the Goucher College Republicans, the Baltimore County Republican Party and the Greater Towson Republican Club – and that a good number of folks from these various entities are PISSED OFF at Kathy Szeliga for blowing them off.

As sad as it may be, no one will get to hear Kathy Szeliga attempt defending the indefensible, such as her 2013 vote in favor of $1.1 billion in bonds for new school construction in Baltimore City – the bonds, in great part, being paid for by state lottery revenues as well as, among others, the good old “any additional money from any public source.”  Hey, did you notice all of those new schools being constructed? Neither have I.

And, of course, she also won’t be able to tell everyone why she supported HB1513, that power grab bill to end all power grabs, a few years back. You know the bill – that’s right! – the very bill that was condemned through ACCLAMATION at the MDGOP convention that spring (2014, I think.)

That’s a shame.

What’s not a shame, however, is that the debate will nonetheless feature two younger, up and coming, movers and shakers in the MDGOP – Senate candidates Chrys Kefalas and Greg Holmes (as well as a few other “Here we go again!” type of candidates…)

And, of those two, Kefalas and Holmes, I’m saying to keep your eye on Greg Holmes. A mid-40s, African-American guy from PG County, who is running as a conservative/libertarian-minded Republican for the US Senate in Maryland.  Maryland?!

Are you kidding me? No, I’m not – and he’s not, as in Holmes isn’t kidding, either.  Not in the least.  I’ve met him twice now and the man is most impressive.

So, as the Republican Party continues its change away from its past – the hanging on to old structures and old styles of endorsements and the like, here we now have an engaging black guy running for US Senate. I think the worst thing to be in politics these days is to already be in elective office.  And, I think Kathy Szeliga may end up learning that lesson the hard way.  As I’ve said time and time again over the past year or so: There is no longer any such thing as a reservation as concerns the MDGOP.  Hell,  judging from what’s going on in the national scene today, I’m beginning to think that there’s no such thing as a reservation left anywhere in politics.

And, it’s about damned time.

If I could tell Kathy Szeliga, whom I really do personally like a lot, any one thing it would be this: You’ve picked the wrong year to start ducking debates, especially in areas where you’re well known and, I assume, well liked. The ground rules have changed, and what worked for Larry Hogan – who made a ritual out of skipping debates – in 2014, likely won’t work this time around.  People pay a lot more attention to such slights these days.  They NOTICE.  The thing is, sitting all aloft in her ivory tower in Annapolis and being surrounded by standard “politicos,” I don’t think Szeliga has any idea just how much things have changed.

But, Greg Holmes does. If he didn’t, there is no way he’d be running.

I wonder if Kathy Szeliga will be represented by an empty chair…

A Few Snowbound Rumblings/Ramblings

There’s a couple of interesting things about being more less stuck inside because of the recent record snowfall – at least there is if you’ve had two strokes and two heart attacks and have been forbidden by your doctor to shovel anything away or off of your car: You can really catch up on your reading AND on commenting upon that which you’ve read. Case in point, well, two cases actually are as follows:

Former Delegate, Mike Smigiel, who is challenging the incumbent Congressman, Andy Harris, to represent MD’s 1^st District under the DC Dome, is having a Town Hall type of event  on Saturday, January 30^th at 11 AM at the Baltimore County Public Library in Perry Hall – that’s over here on the Western Shore, for those of you who don’t know.

If my car is free from snow at that point (and, NO, I am not asking for help in any way, shape or form), I may have to attend that event so I could ask Smigiel about (A) the poll his campaign released a few weeks back which shows him with a 58-29 lead over Harris at present, and (B) his take on Harris’ recent disparagement of DC residents for making “irresponsible decisions” as his reasons for being opposed to DC Statehood.

From the piece in Think Progress, “In a confrontation with marijuana legalization activist Adam Eidinger, Harris told Eidinger that he did not “think [D.C.] ought to be a state because they make irresponsible decisions like legalizing marijuana when the African-American unemployment rate is 40 percent and the African-American graduation rate from high school is 12 percent.”

A 12 percent graduation rate and a 40 percent unemployment rate: Really? No…just, no.  I’m not going to call Andy Harris a liar, but…maybe, as an astute friend of mine pointed out, Harris got the numbers jumbled.  It happens all of the time – but, if that is, indeed, the case, Andy Harris needs to say that’s what happened.  But, that would mean that Andy Harris would have to admit to making an error and, as many of you know, Congressman Harris is also a doctor. And, neither Congressmen nor doctors are normally prone to admit such human frailties as “error making.”

If you’d like to witness the whole debacle, click here:

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/01/21/3741521/congressman-makes-up-statistics-about-black-people-to-argue-dc-residents-are-irresponsible/

The second thing I read last night and am commenting on here is that MDGOP National Committeewoman Nicolee Ambrose has announced online that she’s running for re-election to her post at the May 2016 GOP Convention. To read it for yourself, click here:

http://nicoleeambrose.com/2016/01/24/reelect-nicolee-ambrose/

Now, as many of you may know, Nicolee Ambrose is a very good friend of mine, and as such – in addition to her being an “Energizer Bunny” as far as pushing the ideals of freedom, prosperity and opportunity go, I’m supporting her reelection effort

This is not the case, however, for MDGOP National Committeeman, Louis Pope who recently announced his reelection effort. If Nicolee Ambrose is the “Energizer Bunny” of the MDGOP, Louis Pope is its “Jabba the Hut.” I was forwarded a copy of his re-election letter, and to say it was filled with fluff does it too much justice.  It aimed valiantly at being fluff ridden, but fell sadly short of reaching that pinnacle.  In addition, Pope, who unlike Ambrose – who is unopposed at present, has at least one competitor: Joe Crawford is running for MDGOP National Committeeman.

And, THAT leads me to wish that Mr. Citizens United, David Bossie, join the race to dethrone Pope as National Committeeman. Full disclosure: I’ve known David Bossie, the Chairman of Citizens United, for 30 years – and a more energetic and driven man there is not.

Seriously, could you imagine a team consisting of Nicolee Ambrose as the MDGOP National Committeewoman and David Bossie as the MDGOP National Committeeman?! OMG, the MDGOP would be the envy of the rest of the country, at least as far as its National Committee Folk go.

And, if I may bring this back to Nicolee Ambrose for a moment, I have it on good intel that some unrepentant bad ass has her back in her reelection campaign.

From what I hear, if you’re going to go after her, you’re going to have to go through him.

That’s a Shame.

In the Face of Jihad: Larry Hogan and Guns.

After the San Bernardino jihad slaughter of a few days ago, I was left to wondering what – if anything – this jihad attack means for my home state, Maryland.

The answer I keep getting is, “not a damned thing.” Well, not a damned thing good, ” anyway.

We, as in you and me, are sitting ducks for those more “radicalized” Muslims – a number of which will be able to enter the “Free State” as refugees through Montgomery County (Thank the Lunatic County Executive Ike Legget and the MOCO County Council for THAT), despite Governor Larry Hogan’s “request” to the Borat Administration that Maryland not have to take any of those Syrian refugees.  Well, they’ll be able to come through Montgomery County unless or until the Governor takes some punitive measures against the county, anyway.  On that last note, I strongly advise that you don’t hold your breath. Hogan has his re-election prospects to consider.

Whatever, the jihad attacks will continue, I’m sure, and here we are in Maryland, which has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation, twiddling our thumbs instead of getting ready to defend ourselves if such an attack should hit here at home.  If ever there was a time to free up gun restrictions in Maryland, and elsewhere, this is that time – and yet there’s the President, talking about increasing rather than decreasing gun restrictions…which begs the question, “How insane IS he?”

Speaking of which, I’ve heard that during last year’s gubernatorial campaign, then candidate – and now Governor, Larry Hogan – had told a few Democrat led gun clubs (whose support he needed) that he would change Maryland from being a “may issue” concealed carry permit to a “shall issue” state.

That hasn’t happened yet. But it should happen and it should happen NOW.  Go ahead, Governor, change that one word.

In addition, Larry Hogan could change it the way I would, were I governor – via Executive Order.

In fact, if I were Governor, the first thing I would do upon taking office would be to issue an Executive Order stating something along the lines of the 2^nd Amendment being the only gun “license” anyone needs.

Hell, I’d do that even if there were no ISIS or jihad attacks, you understand – because, it’s like we’re all Americans, the vast majority of you reading this are Marylanders and, well, it’s like your right to own a gun. You dig?

But, since ISIS is on American soil, and since Jihad attacks will continue, there is absolutely no acceptable reason to not allow each and every one of us the options to defend ourselves however we may see fit.

Syed Farook and Tashfeen Melik or however the Hell you want to spell it murdered 14 people in an act of jihad.  This wasn’t insanity – zealotry, yes, insanity no – it was an act perpetrated by Muslims who, from what I’ve heard anyway, memorized parts of the Quran and were in touch with their ISIS masters shortly before engaging in their killing spree.

Ten to one, if one of those folks who were killed had had a gun, all 14 of those folks wouldn’t be dead right now.

Come on, Governor – the ball is in your court. Do what’s right and let your fellow Marylanders defend themselves as they see fit: Make the ludicrous gun control laws in MD less restrictive, if not alright Kill them.  Now.

Oh, wait…I forgot. You DO have your re-election prospects to consider, don’t you?

Dissing the Auxiliaries

I didn’t attend any part of last weekend’s MDGOP convention – did not imbibe a single drink at any of the hospitality suites, didn’t make the trek (again) to Solomons Island (again), nothing.  Hell, I didn’t even start my car this past weekend until Sunday afternoon.

So, I had some curious concerns with a FB post I saw about the MDGOP’s shindig, post-convention, a post in which one writer dubbed it, “The Tony Campbell Affair.”

The Not-Quite Reader’s Digest ® Version is as follows…

Apparently, Tony Campbell (a longtime friend) is the Chairman or some such equally as important sounding title of some “organization” (I’d Never heard of until, like, 3 or 4 days ago) called the Black Republican Council.  Campbell, allegedly, wanted his BRC to have a vote on the MDGOP’s Executive Committee – despite the allegations that Campbell is the only known member of the BRC and that the group, itself, has no standards or criteria of any kind.  Speaking of having no criteria, it is also alleged that the MDGOP has no criteria for itself in allowing groups such as the College Republicans (CRs), the Young Republicans (YRs) and the Maryland Federation of Republican Women (MFYRs) a vote on the Executive Committee – each of which has been granted a vote on said committee at some point over the years.

Well, maybe the MDGOP doesn’t demand any criteria – such as what to do if a leader of a certain group resigns or what have you, but THAT is on the MDGOP, not each individual group.  If you don’t ask for something, chances are you  aren’t going to get it.

From what I’ve heard, much of Tony Campbell’s argument for why his BRC was deserving of a vote comes from the fact that a few years ago, the YRs were granted a vote by the MDGOP despite the fact that Li’l Guy was the group’s chairman and, at that time, had all of somewhere between 3 to 5 paid members.  Whatever the MDGOP gave the YRs a vote on the Executive Committee – and I guess in Tony Campbell’s mind that warranted him and his one man show, the BRC, a vote as well.

Well, obviously, no it doesn’t.  Not from where I sit, anyway – which is behind this computer screen, drinking coffee, while writing this.

But, what did the MDGOP Central Committees vote to do?  Did they tell Tony to “stick it” or come up with some membership criteria for the BRC and get back to us?  Hell, no.  What the MDGOP Central Committees did was to not only disallow the BRC a vote on the Executive Committee – which was a good thing, but they also took away the Executive Voting status from the YRs, CRs and the MFRW as well, which was horribly mistaken and wrong.

Now, I am at a total and absolute loss as to why the MDGOP removed the votes of those three, long standing, historic bodies.  In the YRs case, particularly, because under their new Chairman, Kory Boone – who is rapidly transforming the group away from the Li’l Guy Disaster – they are rocking and rolling.

And they are pissed.

Did the MDGOP eliminate the Executive Committee votes for the other 3 groups because they didn’t want to be seen as picking on a lone black man who once worked for the very real group “Republicans for Obama” by disallowing the BRC a vote on the Executive Committee?

Or was it simply that the MDGOP just couldn’t think of a better way to handle this situation – like reviewing each group’s Executive Committee voting status on an individual basis and then voting accordingly…which is what it should have done.

Again, the YRs I know – and despite being 16 years beyond when I can even join them, I know a fair amount of them – are royally and totally pissed off at losing their voting rights status with the Executive Board.  Who can blame them? But, boy, will they ever catch a shitload of grief if they stop their immense volunteer efforts and fail to work to elect Republicans in 2016!

This is such Bull shit for every one of those auxiliary groups – the MFYRs, the CRs and the YRs.

As I’ve been saying on and off for the past few months, there is no longer any MDGOP Reservation.  There really isn’t. And, this, with the MDGOP being perceived as having given into the race card being played, or simply showing an absolute dearth of common sense – which has resulted in pissing off your best workers and innovators – is no way to begin reinstituting one.

Kathy Szeliga: Marilyn’s 86% Solution

Well, as of yesterday, the MDGOP primary race for nominee to attempt replacing the retiring midget, Barbara Mikulski, in the United States Senate just got a bit more interesting, didn’t it?

Former Ehrlich Administration attorney Chrys Kefalas is in the race. In fact, Kefalas was the first person I’m aware of who announced for the seat.

And, there is – of course – Richard Douglas to consider for a second or two. In fact, just today, Veterans Day, Douglas announced he’s been endorsed by Maryland National Guard’s Retired General Steven Blum.  Imagine that.

And…last night, a story broke on Len Lazarick’s excellent site, MarylandReporter.com, Harford County Executive, Barry Glassman may jump in – and according to the poll Glassman commissioned, he currently leads Congressman Andy Harris’ shadow 19-11%

Andy Harris’ shadow?

I am speaking, of course, of MDGOP House Minority Whip, 7^th Legislative District Delegate, Kathy Szeliga –  former Andy Harris staffer and campaign manager and, most importantly, I guess, damned near full time shadow.

Szeliga, who became the Minority Whip in 2013 announced yesterday that she was running for to replace Mikulski as the next US Senator from Maryland. Or Marilyn.  I can’t tell for sure…

(Marilyn, my Marilyn…)

What the Hell?  Misspellings happen to us all. Hell, if you check this piece, I feel pretty confident you’ll find at last one or ten. But, still…

Now, what’s not nearly so much fun as an innocent misspelling are a few things that I think are going to haunt Szeliga throughout the whole of her quest to be the next US Senator from Marilyn.

One of those things is that, according to MD Legislative Watch, a crack bi-partisan outfit who compiles and keeps records of such things, in 2014, Szeliga voted with the Dem leadership in the MD House of Delegates 86% of the time.  So much for that old “conservative stalwart” stuff, huh?

And, yeah-yeah-yeah, I know what a number of you are already thinking: “So what? How many of those votes are procedural?” Well, frankly, I don’t care.  The process is a big part of what’s screwed up here in MD politics, isn’t it?  That being the case, vote against “procedure” as often as is humanly possible…unless your main concern is your own political career and/or running for higher office – oh, wait.  Never Mind.

But what could really come back and take a chunk out of Kathy Szeliga’s ass is her support for HB1513.

From late February 2014, HB1513 was an absolutely horrible piece of legislation designed to take over the Harford County GOP Central Committee by having members of the House of Delegates who represented the county in Annapolis virtually elect themselves to the Central Committee via legislation – while disallowing those elected to the committee by the voters (You know, those damned pesky voters!) from serving on any other elected office in the county. In the end, HB1513 went nowhere and was, in fact, condemned by the attendees at the MDGOP convention.

Although I think such an attempt at over-reach should be (and was) condemned by everyone, what I think Szeliga forgets is that the Liberty folks in the MDGOP (who fought HB1513 tooth and nail) are tireless and they do not forget. Ever.  This is something the establishment types in the GOP such as Szeliga simply do not understand.

…But, I bet this is something she is likely going to be reminded about over the next few months.

Whatever, Kathy Szeliga’s entrance into the race to be the next US Senator from Marilyn promises to help keep things interesting…even if it at times takes the Minority Whip out of the House of Delegates on occasion during Governor Larry Hogan’s “Legacy Year” Session…

ADDENDUM: I just heard from Maryland Legislative Watch.  The guy who compiles the votes assured me that none of the votes used in coming up with their percentages are procedural.

What’s Your Problem, Joe?

So, I learned a lesson today, that being that even when you try to do the right thing, you still get slammed for it. A bit earlier today, Monday, I sent a message to MDGOP Chair Diana Waterman, Executive Director Joe Cluster and Aberdeen’s almost Mayor Patrick McGrady.  The message I sent was as follows:

“Greetings and salutations. Question:  Had the MDGOP or either Diana or Joe personally congratulated Pat McGrady on being elected Mayor of Aberdeen?  If so, how?  I ask because I saw come over my FB newsfeed congrats to both (Muir) Boda and (Michael) Esteve from both Diana (Waterman) and Joe (Cluster) – but no mention of McGrady.  Patrick have you heard anything?”

I sent this message because, well, the reasons are stated in the message itself. It’s really pretty simple.  Although, as of this writing, I haven’t heard back from either the State Chair or the newly minted Mayor (although everyone contacted has seen the message), the Executive Director wrote me back by asking:

“Whats your problem Joe????”

(^^^This is the closest thing to a real problem I’ve had in a while. Until now, apparently.)

What’s my problem? Apparently, my “problem” is trying to do things by the book. – you know, checking all avenues for fact before writing and publishing something.  Ah, but the lesson I learned is: If you’re going to even think about writing anything that may cause consternation amongst the establishment, look out.  You’ll be “accused” of looking for (or trying to make) problems in, how shall I word this, in a “passive aggressive” manner.

Anyway, a moment or so later, Mr. Cluster wrote the following

“I mentioned it on MDGOP and on my own fb page.”

…And he sent me screen shots where, indeed, on the MDGOP page, anyway, the MDGOP did congratulate Mayor-Elect McGrady on his stunning victory.

My point is don’t talk – or even hint at talking – ill about the MDGOP. That’s for damned sure – because, if you do the Party establishment will pounce on you for so much as broaching a subject which may/may not paint them in a less than favorable light. And, why would they view me as asking whether they congratulated McGrady as potentially casting them in an unfavorable light?  Because the Mayor-Elect (who gets sworn in as Mayor tonight) is a Liberty Minded Republican, that’s why.  And, for whatever reason, the MDGOP seems to have it out for Liberty minded folk.  Hey, I missed spotting the “congrats” – and never seeing any, I asked.  That’s it.  The Maryland Republican Party congratulated Aberdeen’s new mayor, Patrick McGrady, and that’s the end of that.

Well, it would have been – had Joe Cluster not asked me what my problem was for asking in the first place. And, still and unbelievably, the MDGOP hierarchy can’t fathom why they’re losing control of the grassroots.

Now, in the manner of being fair…for which I am well known, I have to ask the MDGOP Executive Director:

What’s your problem, Joe?

The MDGOP Can Do Better Than THIS for US Senate. Can’t They?

I like US GOP Senate candidate, Chrys Kefalas. I really do. I always have.

Back when he was working in former Governor Bobby Ehrlich’s legal office as an aide to Ehrlich’s Chief Governmental Lawyer, the incomparable “wind whisperer” Jervis Finney, Kefalas got the assignment of dealing with my “situation” from their side, the poor bastard.

He did a damned good job with it, too, as his main goal (I presume) was to keep an eye on things for the Ehrlich Administration and to further the goals of his boss, the Governor. I recall my attorney telling me at the time that, after I gave my testimony in the whole “hirings and firings” BS, Kefalas had told now Governor, former Ehrlich Secretary of Appointments Larry Hogan, that Hogan may have some concerns based upon his under-oath testimony as opposed to my under-oath testimony.

But, whatever.

I’d known Chrys for a few years by the time all that Hell had broken loose and, as stated above, I’ve always really liked the guy. He’s smart. He’s got a good sense of humor. And, the only reason I am saying this here and now is because he’s very open about it, he’s gay. But, he’s not Senate material. Not yet, anyway.

And, THAT brings us to the other announced Republican running for the US Senate seat Democratic Dunderhead, Babs Mikulski, is retiring from next year: Richard Douglas.

Douglas is making his second go for the US Senate in 2016, having run – and gotten smoked by Dan Bongino – in the 2012 GOP US Senate Primary.

I can see why Douglas got smoked too. Having met him once in 2012, he left me wholly unimpressed. In fact, I’ve recently spoken to a number of MDGOP officials and, well, all I can say is that I’m not the only one who was left completely unimpressed. And, now, he threatens to pick up where the late Ross Pierpont left off by being the next great perennial MD GOP candidate. Please. Haven’t we had enough of those types? Ken Timmerman, Corrogan Vaughn and now…Richard Douglas?

Make it stop.

I recall that, a few years back while running in the GOP US Senate primary, Douglas actually attacked then MD Governor Martin O’Malley on O’Malley’s gas tax proposal…which left me wondering whether Richard Douglas even understand that O’Malley was the Governor of a STATE and he, Douglas, was running for a FEDERAL office – and THAT left me wondering whether Douglas even understood the difference.

(Richard Douglas Tries to Find What Level of Government He’s Running For)

Further, according to his own bio that can be found online, Douglas also brags about how he helped author legislation following the 9-11 attacks from some Washington DC Ivory Tower or another. Makes me wonder if he helped write that ridiculously intrusive Patriot Act. If I really gave enough of a damn – or if I gave him any credence, whatsoever, I’d have written him and asked. But, I don’t – so I didn’t.

Again, I do like Chrys Kefalas and, were the primary held today, I’d end up voting for him over Douglas in the GOP primary, whether he’s ready or not.

But, what I’d really like to see is another option.

Here’s hoping the MDGOP has some manner of Ace up its sleeve as concerns the 2016 Senate race. If not, no matter who the MDDEMs put up – be it Congressman Chris Van Hollen or Congresswoman Donna Edwards, or some as of yet unforeseen Bozo – could end up sleeping through which would almost certainly be their undoubted victory.