Barack Obama

EASTON – Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) joined state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) for a fundraiser last night in Easton. The cost of admission to the Denny family’s house party was $250 for couples. VIP entrance was priced at $1,000, which included a photo with Steele.

The former lieutenant governor and chair of GOPAC opened the event for Harris. He began by praising key Republican operatives.

“It’s important work, its hard work. Particularly in this climate, in which the Republican brand quite frankly sucks,” Steele said. “I mean it stinks, it’s ugly, it’s painful, but in all that I see opportunity.”

“Yeah, I don’t do cowering.” - Sen. Barack Obama

I am far from alone as an advocate of aggressive rapid response in politics. When someone gets in your face with a lie or an attack, don’t retreat. Get in his.

Do it fast. Do it now. Don’t be shy. Don’t let an attack go unanswered.

If you take a swipe at me or mine, you should expect to get the same or worse, in return.

Obama and Sweeney: In Chicago last weekOverlooked since last month has been the story of the remaining Democratic superdelegates, as it was assumed they would all fall in line for Barack Obama -- an assumption that was correct.

After the superdelgate bonanza of June 3 to 4, two remained in the Maryland undeclared column: AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Susan Turnbull.

John McCain at Annapolis in AprilMuch ink has been spilled about Barack Obama running a 50 state campaign and all the money he'll have to do it, but the grapevine says that John McCain will announce several Maryland staff members soon.

He doesn't stand much chance of winning the state, but McCain has made two public appearances in the state since becoming his the de-facto Republican nominee -- two more than Obama.

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich speaks to supporters in Easton at a fundraiser for Andy Harris: Politicker Photo

EASTON – Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich told a crowd of about 130 on Tuesday  that he wasn’t sure if he would seek the governorship in 2010.

Ehrlich was speaking to supporters at a fundraiser for Republican congressional candidate Andy Harris at the Easton Club Tuesday, when one attendee asked if he would be running for governor in the next election. Ehrlich responded by saying, “The honest answer is I don’t know,” but added “we will make that call at sometime over the next year.”

Until this year, all presidential nominees have accepted federal money and the restrictions that come with it.

COLUMBIA – David Paulson told a crowd of about 15 on Sunday at a Columbia Democratic Club PAC fundraiser that the party is committed to gaining control of all eight seats in the state's congressional delegation.

The state Democratic Party communications officer touched on topics like building the state party, the presidential election and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-Arbutus), but focused on U.S. House races.

What did Hillary Clinton say to Barack Obama to cause him to react in such a concerned way?

And why is Bill Clinton there looking for the fist bump?

Click here to view the winner and runner-ups from this week's cartoon caption contest.