Soccer Dad

Something for both; the wapo for governor

The Washington Post has come out with its endorsement for Governor of Maryland.

There's something for Mayor O'Malley

Mr. O'Malley, who has run a carefully scripted campaign for governor, has put his plentiful ambition to good use in one of the toughest big-city mayor's jobs in the nation. He made progress in stanching Baltimore's outflow of population, reviving some of its more blighted neighborhoods, reducing its level of violent crime, and adapting corporate methods of efficiency and accountability to the functions of government. Mr. O'Malley did not solve the problems of rampant crime and rough schools in Baltimore, but he put a dent in them. ... There have been disappointments and dithering during Mr. Ehrlich's term as well, mostly of his own making. Relishing battle and cherishing his status as a besieged underdog, he picked fights needlessly, as in the childish blacklisting of two journalists from the Baltimore Sun. Likewise, his tiresome quarrels with the leaders of the General Assembly look more like clashes of puffed-up egos than hard legislative bargaining. Mr. Ehrlich could be a more effective governor if he applied himself more to the mechanics of governing and less to the skewering of his enemies on talk radio.

But there's something more significant for Governor Ehrlich

WHEN HE RAN for governor of Maryland four years ago, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s claim to the job seemed to rest on little more than a sense of entitlement and a telegenic, genial personality. In fits and starts, though, he has grown in the role to become a generally proficient, pragmatic governor, if not always a disciplined or mature one. He has chalked up successes on transportation, the environment and education, among other things. For Mr. Ehrlich, the state's first Republican governor in a generation, those are real achievements -- particularly when weighed against the monolith of Democratic dominance in the state legislature.

I was surprised. I've mentioned many times that I fully expected the Post to endorse whoever was running against Gov. Ehrlich. I have to give the editors credit for looking the governor's record and judging it more or less fairly.

There are negative parts to the endorsement. I don't find Ehrlich's troubles of his own making. He faces a legislature with a veto proof majority that will use its power to make life as difficult for him as possible. At the beginning of the latest legislative session the legislature passed a number of bills designed for election year politicking. Three of them that were passed over the governor's vetoes were later thrown out on appeal. (My representatives boast that they get "Real Results." "Real Reversals" would be more accurate.) And if anyone thinks that House Speaker Michael Busch's opposition to slots will persist for more than a day or two if Mayor O'Malley is sent to the Governor's Mansion, well, I have Bay Bridge to sell him.

Just to demonstrate how far the editors of the Post have come in 4 years here's an excerpt from "Townsend for Governor" (Washington Post, October 20, 2002)

And, all of our grumpiness notwithstanding, we believe that one of these flawed candidates is clearly superior to the other. When Mr. Ehrlich announced his candidacy, we had high hopes. The Democratic Party's domination of Maryland's legislature and statehouse is not healthy; two-party states generally do better over time. But Mr. Ehrlich has given scant reason other than the (R) after his name to justify support. His historical antipathy to reasonable gun control measures is ill suited to Maryland's needs. He has opposed Medicaid funding for abortion. He has demonstrated little commitment to protecting the environment or restricting sprawl. His championing of slot machines could open the door to crime, corruption and increased gambling addiction. Most of all, he seems to have no particular reason to want to be governor, other than that he thought he could win; that is, he has articulated no convincing goals and has described no particular vision for the state and its future. He says he would like to restore to Annapolis the friendly lack of partisanship he remembers from his days in the General Assembly -- a goal somewhat undercut, as we said, by his snideness in the campaign. He says he would clean up the culture of "corruption" in Annapolis, but he didn't hesitate to welcome to his campaign some of the less savory Democrats who chose to endorse him. And he promises to restore fiscal prudence -- but won't say what he would cut.

Four years ago the Washington Post recommended Kathleen Kennedy Townsend rather unenthusiastically. While I can't say that the editors are ecstatic about their endorsement this year, it is a solid endorsement that shows actual thought. The editors of the Washington Post deserve credit for looking at Governor Ehrlich's record and looking past some of their own prejudices.

More at the Hedgehog Report.

UPDATE: In general conservatives are surprised and liberals claim that this proves that the Washington Post isn't really all that liberal. Well that's an oversimplification.

Free State Politics (the blogspot one) emphasizes the negative parts of the endorsement

Ehrlich has spent four years picking fights so he can get the chance to play victim. I have no problem with divided government and tend to think it has virtue in some cases. But those cases only show their face when both sides are willing to come to the table with the other and work out practical compromises.

And in the middle (I think) is the Maryland Bloggers Alliance Free State Politics who's surprised by more one current aritcle

The two most prominent left leaning area newspapers have apparantly switched sides, at least for the day. The Washington Post has bucked their trend of backing Democratic candidates and given it’s endorsement to current Governor Bob Ehrlich. The endorsement was very fair to both Ehrlich and his main opponent O’Malley, although slightly scathing in parts in respect to the Governor.

And who was the last statewide Republican candidate to receive the Post's endorsement? Extreme Mortman lets us know

Today the Washington Post endorsed Bob Ehrlich for re-election as Maryland governor. Which reminds us of Mathias again. Why? He was the last Republican running for statewide Maryland office to get the Post endorsement.

The Reform Club wanted to makes sure that she wasn't checking the weather report instead of the editorial page as she was convince that Hell had frozen over.

Just inside the Beltway is pleasantly surprised but points out that polls show Ehrlich trailing.

THE WASHINGTON POST endorsed incumbent Robert Ehrlich (R) for Governor in today's edition. This endorsement will come as a bit of a shock to many in Maryland -- particularly considering the tense relationship between the Post and Ehrlich
over the past four years.

PostWatch dismisses the notion that the Post hasn't been tough on Republicans. Blacknell, though, sarcastically calls the Post, "liberal."

More at Technorati.

UPDATE II: Powerline sees cynicism in the endorsement. I don't.

Technorati tags: Maryland Politics, Robert Ehrlich, Martin O'Malley, Washington Post.

Posted by SoccerDad at October 25, 2006 1:28 PM