May 16, 2008 - 3:02pm
Harris calls Kratovil a ‘Prince George’s machine Democrat’
By Kevin Agnese
Category: House, LocalTags: Bob Ehrlich, Andy Harris, Wayne Gilchrest, Frank Kratovil, Ellen Sauerbrey, Maryland's First Congressional District, Queen Anne's County
Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) has presented himself to the voters of Maryland's 1st Congressional District as a moderate, much like the district's current congressman, Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville).
His opponent, state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) rejects the notion that Kratovil is a moderate, calling him a "Prince George's machine Democrat" during an interview today with PolitickerMD.com.
"The playbook of the national Democratic Party has been to run conservative Democrats in right of center districts," Harris, referring to recent national Democratic victories in conservative areas, said. "That will not work in Maryland's First Congressional District."
Kratovil says he takes a firm stance against illegal immigration and frequently reminds citizens that he has been a prosecutor for more than a decade. In other areas, he is an advocate for universal health care, increased environmental protection, and favors an end to the war in Iraq, but does not support a timetable for withdrawal.
"The difference here is that Democrats are not running a conservative Democrat," Harris said. "(Kratovil's) not even a moderate. He's a liberal."
After graduating from law school in 1994, Kratovil, who was raised in Prince George's County, served first as a judicial law clerk on the Circuit Court for Prince George's County. He then became the county's assistant state's attorney, before leaving in 1997 to accept the same position in Queen Anne's County. He was elected state's attorney for Queen Anne's County in 2003.
Harris referred to Kratovil's service as president of the Young Democrats of Maryland from 1997-1998, saying his opponent was "the head of an organization" that was part of the "party machine."
When asked, Harris dismissed the importance of Kratovil's support with moderate Republicans and former Gilchrest supporters and staff.
"Of the twelve counties in the district, the Republican Central Committees are all strongly behind me," Harris said. "There is no grassroots movement of any significance behind Kratovil (among Republicans)."
Harris referred to his "strong support" among notable state Republicans, like former Gov. Bob Ehrlich and former House delegate and U.S. state department official, Ellen Sauerbrey.
Asked to describe his own political ideology, Harris called his views "right of center" on both fiscal and social issues, but added, "It depends on the issue." He referred to his support of a paper trail for electronic voting machines as an example of a bi-partisan vote in the state senate.
In addition, Harris said the Democrats' advantage among registered voters and elected officials state-wide would not hurt his candidacy. "The first and sixth districts are different than the rest of the state," Harris said. "This district wants someone to reign in government spending and support lower taxes."
Voter registration is virtually split between Democrats and Republicans in the First District, with independents encompassing a high number.
Harris said energy independence and the economy would continue to be themes in his campaign.
"We have to bring down the cost of gas," Harris explained, adding, "We can no longer be beholden to those who would do us harm."
He also said the 2001 Bush tax cuts needed to be made permanent.
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Now I've heard it all.
Now I've heard it all. Kratovil's only qualification to represent me in Congress is that he lives on the Eastern Shore? And that's supposed to outrank a sitting State Senator experienced with government budgeting and law making? Not hardly. Give me a break. Since when does working in a courtroom qualify you to be a U.S. Congressman? Of course Kratovil would be a "machine" democrat - he has no experience with any form of legislature, how else will he know what to do? Oh yeah, he'll call his buddy Martin to tell him what to do.
I'm also tired of the "Eastern Shore vs. Western Shore" argument. I was hoping that died when Schaefer left office. Get over it, we're all the same state! Think there aren't any farms west of the Chesapeake Bay? WRONG!!! Think the Eastern Shore has exclusive claim to the Bay? WRONG!! Give me someone who stays true to who he is - Andy Harris. Not Kratovil who mysteriously removes all pictures of himself with O'Malley from his website. At least Harris didn't have to change who he is when he won the primary. Oh, and for those of you clinging to the hope that Andy has weak support on the Eastern Shore, and Kratovil is well supported, you'd better check the Democratic primary voting statistics. There was a huge "no vote" factor for the 1st Cong Dist race among Democrats - that is, TONS of Democrats voted in the Presidential primary and skipped over the 1st CD race. HMMMMMMM, wonder why that was? Maybe they didn't like the choices?
Be rational, folks
You MUST be kidding me. OF COURSE Kratovil is a raging liberal from PG county but even if you don't believe it, you need to look at it this way:
a) Kratovil can say anything he wants right now...he has ZERO legislative experience until folks like you vote for him.
b) You want lower taxes? Which candidate do you think is going to advocate at every turn for lower taxes?
This is a no brainer, folks. Andy Harris is the only choice if you like to spend your own money.
Moderate Dem from PG vs.
Moderate Dem from PG vs. Larry Craig Republican from Brooklyn, NY.
Hmmm, that's going to be a tough decision.
Harris' one example
Harris needs to realize that eventually, his one example he keeps using, the electronic voter trail, will get old. Kratovil at least can come up with a different example of when he reached across the aisle every interview.
Andy, you're quite a pip.
Andy, you're quite a pip.
"Of the twelve counties in the district, the Republican Central Committees are all strongly behind me," Harris said. "There is no grassroots movement of any significance behind Kratovil (among Republicans)."
Well Andy, they may be behind you now because that is there job, but in February you did not win one county on the Eastern Shore... not one. And last time I looked there were 9 of them Andy. 0 for 9, Andy. They're stuck with you, not strongly behind you.
"Harris referred to his "strong support" among notable state Republicans, like former Gov. Bob Ehrlich and former House delegate and U.S. state department official, Ellen Sauerbrey."
Sauergrapes is a two time loser, and Governor Bobby only supported you to get at Wayne. You know that...I know that... pretty much everyone in America knows that. Bobby will not go too far out on a limb for you now 'cause he and his little tanned thing want back in the State House, and backing a disaster won't help him get there.
"Asked to describe his own political ideology, Harris called his views "right of center" on both fiscal and social issues, but added, "It depends on the issue." He referred to his support of a paper trail for electronic voting machines as an example of a bi-partisan vote in the state senate."
Anyone with half a brain wants a paper trail, so don't pat yourself on the back too hard on this one, Andy. All you're doing on this one is prove to the world that you have not taken the full 100% leave of your senses.
"The first and sixth districts are different than the rest of the state," Harris said. "This district wants someone to reign in government spending and support lower taxes."
How are you going to rein in gevernment spending when you are already pandering to the condo owners in Ocean City, offering to replenish their eroded beaches. And you know who erodes those beaches over and over again, Andy? It is God, Andy. God controls nature, and now you want to undo God's work Andy. Better watch out Andy, because the big guy might not like that. And lower taxes? Please tell us all, what is the right number? What should the maximum bracket be, Andy? And to get there, what will you cut from spending? You pandering tool, you have no clue.
"We have to bring down the cost of gas," Harris explained, adding, "We can no longer be beholden to those who would do us harm."
Like Exxon, Andy? Last time I checked, my wallet is empty, but their tank is full. Record profits, Andy. How are you going to address that?
Will the real Dr. Harris please stand up.
Pre-February 12, Andy Harris was a George Bush-card carrying Club for Growth, right wing candidate. Now we find out he is just right of center. Will the real Andy Harris please stand up.
Agreed. It's no news that
Agreed. It's no news that Kratovil's a Democrat... that's the party he's running under. That he was head of the young Dems only shows that he's been passionate about change since he was a young man. Admirable.
Harris was head of a homeschooling association a decade ago... does that mean he's not on board with the public schools machine? I doubt it.
Really?
The best attack Andy Harris has on Frank Kratovil is that he was president of the Young Democrats...a decade ago. Wow. Talk about lack of ammunition.
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