Bob Ehrlich

Better late than never. Well, some folks think so anyway.

The truth is, last weekend’s program featuring talk radio host Bob Ehrlich was pretty much a yawner. There was a half hour of the latest Republican talking point: “Drill Here, Drill Now. Pay Less – Drill off the Coast of Ocean City or right smack-dab in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay – We Don’t Care” (I made that last part up. But nobody said anything against it, either. Why is it always someone else’s backyard or beach off in the distance that needs to get drilled for oil?).

As best as anyone can figure opening up all this drilling might worth a few pennies off a gallon of gas – in five years. All this time BIG OIL already owns drilling leases over about 68 million acres of American land and they aren’t touching it, for some reason.

The state Republican Party is accusing Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore) of what they call "double-budgeting" and "fund swaps," saying the governor is trying to pass $50 million off as significant reductions in state spending.

"First of all, Martin O'Malley and his Democratic cronies in the General Assembly should have gone through a stringent spending reduction process before passing the largest tax increase in Maryland history," said state GOP Chairman Jim Pelura in statement. "How many more offsets, ‘fund swaps,' ‘double-budgeting' and other budget sleight-of-hand tricks are in the budget that would allow reduction of taxes on Maryland's hardworking families?" Pelura added. "This is typical O'Malley sleight of hand."

The Talbot and Dorcester Republican Central Committees celebrated the grand opening of their new headquarters on Tuesday.

Both events were attended by state party Chairman James Pelura, state party Communications Director Justin Ready, former Gov. Bob Ehrlich and state Sen. Andy Harris among other party leaders. Harris and Ehrlich were on a day long tour of the 1st Congressional District, campaigning and raising money for Harris’ race against state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville).

Uh, oh. Someone has their nose out of joint. Apparently, radio talk show host Bob Ehrlich is upset with “Part 1” from last week. So, he devoted about a third of the “talk time” during his most recent show on one of the issues raised.

Apparently he doesn’t mind me telling you that he took a $9,962.60 junket to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2001. Or, that it was paid for by a “let’s drill for oil” lobby group funded by the state of Alaska while he still had a vote in Congress. He gives every indication of being sincere about ANWR oil-drilling. He wants it bad. He says so each week.

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.”

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.

Yeah, I know it’s not Monday. I was busy this weekend, Father’s Day and all.

But, we might just make this a weekly event. Each weekend, I’ll catch a former Republican Governor on the radio for you and provide the highlights and the corrections on Monday. Or, when I get around to it.

Mr. Robert L. Ehrlich is now getting himself some attention - keeping hope alive or something like that. He’s been known to wax poetic and be very kind to himself and his record (Aren’t we all.). He’s been known to treat the facts with something less than precision. He’s been known to take swipes at people for political gain, including me on a rare occasion.

Besides, this is just good political fun. I know we’ll all enjoy it. (Warning: KKK/Skinhead alert below.)

Harford County Exec. David Craig: Politicker PhotoClaims GOP Unity

HAVRE DE GRACE-- State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) held a fundraiser before the Harford County Conservative Business Caucus in the ballroom of the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, this evening.

Harris, the GOP nominee in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, was joined by Harford County Executive David Craig (R) and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), along with a crowd of roughly 60 supporters.

Campaign Manager Chris Meekins told PolitickerMD.com prior to the event that the campaign expected to raise between 40 and $50,000 for the evening.

"The fact of the matter is, you have to raise money," Harris said, addressing the audience.

"You need about $1.2 million to do this," he added. "We're about halfway there."

This week, I am going to do something different. Have you ever had so many issues you want to talk about, but do not know where to begin? I do on a regular basis (this week, more than anytime and it’s compounded by the fact that I try to keep this a weekly column.) It is that premise that I present to you “Burns-pourri.” This is where I take those topics and condense them. It will either be something I have an opinion on, something you probably should know about… or both.