FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | April 5, 2005
Contact: Derek Walker | Desk: 410-269-8818 | Cell: 410-980-0939

GOVERNOR'S GOP ATTACK MACHINE STRIKES AGAIN

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Ehrlich's Request for Respect and Civility Now a Distant Memory

In today's Baltimore Sun, John Kane, Governor Ehrlich's hand-picked GOP Party Chair, called Democratic leaders in Maryland "left leaning liberal bastards" and "bozos," and suggested that they "grow up" rather than continue to explore changes to the state's election laws that include expanding voter rights and moving the primary election date.

Chairman Kane is continuing the personal, partisan attacks that have characterized the approach of Governor Ehrlich and his top lieutenants in recent months. Ehrlich, who campaigned for Governor by promising to bring a new measure of civility to Annapolis, has taken a completely opposite tack, from running roughshod over state agencies to accusing whistleblowers in his own administration of conspiring with Democrats.

"Whether it's Bob Ehrlich, Michael Steele, Joe Steffen or John Kane, voters in Maryland have seen and heard enough. Our state's Republican leaders have adopted and endorsed an ineffective, counterproductive approach to governing and campaigning that our Governor learned at the feet of Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay" said Maryland State Democratic Chair Terry Lierman.

"At a time when the state's foster care system is reeling, mental health and Medicaid programs are being depleted, and the juvenile justice system looks unjust, Ehrlich and his top associates should be leading the state forward, not dragging us further into the quagmire of assassin politics," said Lierman.

"Kane's comments reveal a growing realization by the right-wing Republican machine that Ehrlich/Steele priorities and values are well out of touch with mainstream Marylanders," Lierman continued. "Ehrlich and Steele have failed to win the trust of the citizens of Maryland, and we now see they fear they and the Maryland Republican Party are heading for an electoral disaster in 2006."

"Name calling is not a leadership tactic," said Lierman. "The voters of Maryland will get the final word next November."