Note - this is a long post, even for me.
I sincerely hope that passions quell and cooler heads prevail over the next fews days and weeks. After months of a primary campaign that supporters on all sides called "negative" and "nasty" the race is over. In each race there can only be one winner. Unfortunately, some of those very same supporters who pointed fingers during the race are making statements that are far nastier than anything that came out of any campaign.
Don't believe me? Simply go to the "Story Chat" area for the Daily Times article declaring Andy Harris' victory in the MD-1 GOP primary. I realize that this was a very personal race for some. I understand that passion can be a positive thing. However, the race is over. I'm not going to give ya'll some speech with a bunch of "Kum By Ya" foolishness. If you want to vote for Frank Kratovil in the coming general, that is your right. If you want to "hold your nose" and vote for Andy, great. Your vote will count the same as someone like me who will proudly cast my ballot for Andy in November. If you want to criticize Andy, our Founders saw to it that you are protected. I would, however, appreciate it if you got your facts right when doing so. One of the things that I happen to like about Andy, and about Wayne Gilchrest, is that neither claim to be perfect.
In all fairness, the post-primary pot shot party started on a blog that I contribute to. Joe Albero penned a post last night that was a tad out of line. However, after a few hours of rest Joe was man enough to apologize. I certainly don't expect a bunch of folks on "Story Chat" to immediately "see the light" and start apologizing to one another. I do hope that a few of you read this and give pause the next time you decide to "lose it" online.
I am concerned about a few posts in particular. A woman purporting to be Greg Bassett's sister put up two (2) posts:
I can't claim the privilege of knowing Cathy Bassett. However, I do know her work. Does anyone honestly expect to hear Mrs. Bassett whine about Tuesday's primary? No! She's a professional. She knows that this is one of the risks you take working for elected officials. In fact, once Shelly and I started having kids, that was a large reason for my getting out campaign politics. Mrs. Fraze and other Gilchrest supporters could do more by praising the great work that Cathy and Monica Bell have done for both Congressman Gilchrest and his constituents. Assuming that Harris is elected November, he would be foolish for not asking them to stay on.
As for Greg Bassett, I happen to like him. I catch a lot of crap from many of my friends when I make that statement, but he's a great guy. I also respect him. I just have some serious disagreements with his paper from time to time. I criticize them when I disagree and I praise them when I think they're doing a good job. While I certainly wouldn't claim that the coverage of the Daily Times was anything but pro-Gilchrest during the race, they certainly weren't too blatant. While Greg would certainly disagree with this, my experience in campaigns and with the media tells me otherwise. Wayne Gilchrest was a newspaper's dream. A moderate - liberal Republican in office is great for a paper. They can endorse them and say, "See we don't endorse only Democrats". Yes, I realize the the editorials board didn't make an actual endorsement in the primary.
To those on my side of the philosophical aisle, you need to recognize this as well. If you disagree, I can only tell you that it's time to grow up! A case in point - I once worked on a Congressional race where the managing editor of the largest paper in the district was Tony Snow. That's right! The same Tony Snow who was (and is) a conservative commentator and who worked for President George H. W. Bush and served as President George W. Bush's press secretary. Did my Republican candidate catch a break? Hell no! The candidate I was working for was no more a Reaganite than Snow's former employers in the White House. Yet, we couldn't catch a break on the news side of the house. There are very few newspapers or TV stations that don't prefer to support liberals. It's the way of the world. If we don't like it then the only alternatives left to us are to criticize, start our own paper, or use other media like internet.
------------
For the large number of loyal Wayne Gilchrest supporters out there I'd like you to think about something. Support Andy Harris in the general. Just make sure that when you meet him that he's aware that you supported Wayne in the primary. I can't claim to speak for Andy Harris, but I'm confident in saying that he won't take offense. In fact, he'll appreciate your candor.
If you honestly believe that Frank Kratovil would truly represent your point of view better, fine. However, you need to understand this. Frank Kratovil is going to run a race where he will sound an awful lot like your friend Wayne. He's even going to run to the right of Gilchrest on several positions, including immigration. If Kratovil is elected he WILL be a de facto slave of the Democrat leadership.
Is this the way you want to see Wayne Gilchrest's legacy in Congress to end? I've disagreed with Wayne on many issues, but I've never said that he didn't vote his conscience. I've always respected him for that. I understand some of your concerns, but after a short period it will be time to make a decision. Andy Harris will respect your views (whether he agrees with them or not), Frank Kratovil will pander to them.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, politics, Maryland politics, Andy Harris, Wayne Gilchrest, Daily Times, Gannett, GOP, campaign, Frank Kratovil, Democrat
I sincerely hope that passions quell and cooler heads prevail over the next fews days and weeks. After months of a primary campaign that supporters on all sides called "negative" and "nasty" the race is over. In each race there can only be one winner. Unfortunately, some of those very same supporters who pointed fingers during the race are making statements that are far nastier than anything that came out of any campaign.
Don't believe me? Simply go to the "Story Chat" area for the Daily Times article declaring Andy Harris' victory in the MD-1 GOP primary. I realize that this was a very personal race for some. I understand that passion can be a positive thing. However, the race is over. I'm not going to give ya'll some speech with a bunch of "Kum By Ya" foolishness. If you want to vote for Frank Kratovil in the coming general, that is your right. If you want to "hold your nose" and vote for Andy, great. Your vote will count the same as someone like me who will proudly cast my ballot for Andy in November. If you want to criticize Andy, our Founders saw to it that you are protected. I would, however, appreciate it if you got your facts right when doing so. One of the things that I happen to like about Andy, and about Wayne Gilchrest, is that neither claim to be perfect.
In all fairness, the post-primary pot shot party started on a blog that I contribute to. Joe Albero penned a post last night that was a tad out of line. However, after a few hours of rest Joe was man enough to apologize. I certainly don't expect a bunch of folks on "Story Chat" to immediately "see the light" and start apologizing to one another. I do hope that a few of you read this and give pause the next time you decide to "lose it" online.
I am concerned about a few posts in particular. A woman purporting to be Greg Bassett's sister put up two (2) posts:
You people are unbelieveable! I always love it when someone thinks they know it all when in actuality know nothing!!!Mrs. Fraze has an additional post later on. As I stated earlier, it's not unusual for passions to run a little high after a really tough primary. While I don't know Mrs. Fraze, I am a little disappointed in her. Of course she has a right to express her opinion. However, she should ask herself a couple of questions. Would her brother pop his cork over this? No. Would her sister-in-law? No.
Andy Harris is a joke and it will be a sweet day for me when he is not elected in November as I know he won't! The dirty campaigning and mailings are proof that people choose not to do their homework and instead choose to buy into the latest thing being said. My 98 year old grandmother received abortion pictures in the mail that came from the "family man" and his campaign! If you are truly for the people then you don't need to resort to these type of tactics.
I have read while people trashed The Daily Times and their supposed bias. Could it be that the Daily Times is affected by Gilchrest and that the Eastern Shore will now cease to exist with Gilchrest no longer in office? What's going to happen to the Bay and the wetlands? My husband says their national but they still need someone in their corner and they will no longer have that.
Everyone has the answer but no one is willing to make the effort.
Do these hateful people stop to think about things that are being spread to the youth who see this nasty campaign? The staff of Congressman Gilchrest have tweens who are highly affected by this and are they learning about fair politicking or are they learning that the louder you criticize and the more you spend will help you win. Kind of like a celebrity on trial for murder. Money talks.
Wayne Gilchrest refuses to spend the millions that might have saved his campaign and that right there makes him the ideal man in my book. I have always said that is the White House were to cut out the Christmas parties and the candidates were to donate the campaign funds to a better cause (Republican or Democrat) we could get rid of medicaid and welfare. As if that will ever happen.
Should Andy Harris be elected in November and I pray to God he isn't, maybe he will live up to his promises. But I seriously doubt that will happen.
In reference to the comments about the editorials and the Daily Times, and editorial is just that...someone's opinion. We all have them yet when I see Greg Bassett write an editorial or an article I see his name attached. But once I walked into his office and saw the degrading letters and less than intelligent responses to some of these and the
funny this is that no one ever signs those! If you are big enough to say it, be big enough to sign it!
My name is Lisa Bassett Fraze and my brother is the Executive Editor of The Daily Times. The only way I can get away with this is because it is in the form of a blog. Otherwise, it would never see print because my brother would never allow it.
Say what you will, but Greg Bassett cares more about the Shore than anyone I have ever met except for Wayne Gilchrest and the late Mayor Harry Kelley. And if you don't believe that than you haven't been paying much attention.
My sister-in-law is Cathy Bassett and she is the press secretary for Congressman Wayne Gilchrest. I am so proud that she has been able to work for the Congressman for over 16 years and I have been proud to raise my children with the fact that "Aunt Cathy" works for one of the good guys. I know that it is with a sense of pride that she has raised her children with the same values.
Because an election involves the entire extended families, my children, even though we live far away, have been actively involved in the outcome of this election. It was really hard for me to have to tell them this morning that more money and mouth won the election. They will have lots of questions and many that I will have no answer for. As young men who are running for offices within their respective schools I will have to try and convince them that money and negative campaigning are not the way to win an election. And should it be won in that way, it's not worth the position that they should end up holding.
Say what you want to my post as I know you will but it's just a matter of time before all of you naysayers realize that yesterday's primary was not a win but a huge loss.
Congressman Gilchrest, I thank you for the man you are. The man that was so good to my family and the man that my niece and nephew were able to look up to with pride. You are welcome in home at any time.
I can't claim the privilege of knowing Cathy Bassett. However, I do know her work. Does anyone honestly expect to hear Mrs. Bassett whine about Tuesday's primary? No! She's a professional. She knows that this is one of the risks you take working for elected officials. In fact, once Shelly and I started having kids, that was a large reason for my getting out campaign politics. Mrs. Fraze and other Gilchrest supporters could do more by praising the great work that Cathy and Monica Bell have done for both Congressman Gilchrest and his constituents. Assuming that Harris is elected November, he would be foolish for not asking them to stay on.
As for Greg Bassett, I happen to like him. I catch a lot of crap from many of my friends when I make that statement, but he's a great guy. I also respect him. I just have some serious disagreements with his paper from time to time. I criticize them when I disagree and I praise them when I think they're doing a good job. While I certainly wouldn't claim that the coverage of the Daily Times was anything but pro-Gilchrest during the race, they certainly weren't too blatant. While Greg would certainly disagree with this, my experience in campaigns and with the media tells me otherwise. Wayne Gilchrest was a newspaper's dream. A moderate - liberal Republican in office is great for a paper. They can endorse them and say, "See we don't endorse only Democrats". Yes, I realize the the editorials board didn't make an actual endorsement in the primary.
To those on my side of the philosophical aisle, you need to recognize this as well. If you disagree, I can only tell you that it's time to grow up! A case in point - I once worked on a Congressional race where the managing editor of the largest paper in the district was Tony Snow. That's right! The same Tony Snow who was (and is) a conservative commentator and who worked for President George H. W. Bush and served as President George W. Bush's press secretary. Did my Republican candidate catch a break? Hell no! The candidate I was working for was no more a Reaganite than Snow's former employers in the White House. Yet, we couldn't catch a break on the news side of the house. There are very few newspapers or TV stations that don't prefer to support liberals. It's the way of the world. If we don't like it then the only alternatives left to us are to criticize, start our own paper, or use other media like internet.
------------
For the large number of loyal Wayne Gilchrest supporters out there I'd like you to think about something. Support Andy Harris in the general. Just make sure that when you meet him that he's aware that you supported Wayne in the primary. I can't claim to speak for Andy Harris, but I'm confident in saying that he won't take offense. In fact, he'll appreciate your candor.
If you honestly believe that Frank Kratovil would truly represent your point of view better, fine. However, you need to understand this. Frank Kratovil is going to run a race where he will sound an awful lot like your friend Wayne. He's even going to run to the right of Gilchrest on several positions, including immigration. If Kratovil is elected he WILL be a de facto slave of the Democrat leadership.
Is this the way you want to see Wayne Gilchrest's legacy in Congress to end? I've disagreed with Wayne on many issues, but I've never said that he didn't vote his conscience. I've always respected him for that. I understand some of your concerns, but after a short period it will be time to make a decision. Andy Harris will respect your views (whether he agrees with them or not), Frank Kratovil will pander to them.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, politics, Maryland politics, Andy Harris, Wayne Gilchrest, Daily Times, Gannett, GOP, campaign, Frank Kratovil, Democrat
9 comments:
Sir:
You should practice what you preach, rather than such innuendo as appears at the end of this post - "Frank Kratovil will pander to them." Harris, his managers and more vocal supporters (you included) started the war of words aimed at Congressman Gilchrest, initially, and also E. J. Pipkin, later, and your guns are now being redirected at Mr. Kratovil, who has already been denigrated as "Kraptoville".
A question -- did one of Harris' consultants actually write the book "How to Rig an Election"? (and that's a fair question).
The comment of Harry Kelly and Mr. Ghilcrest were 2 people who cared passionately about the bay insults me and my intelligence.
Just because they're the only two she knows who care deeply doesn't mean they're the only two.
bob
I have yet to understnad he vitrol shown towards Wayne Gilchrest during the campaing, or the reasonis behind all of the arguments against him, but whats done is done. He may not have been a water-carrier for his party, but as stated in this post, he voted his conscience, which is what precious few people in Washingon actually do.
Funny, we compain that our representatives are too beholdent to intrests and party, and when we get one who does neither, we are quick to throw him overboard.
I have never met Mr. Gilchrest or Mr. Harris, but this much is certian: going forward, we have a Baltimore lawyer, elected by people from the Western Shore, representing the intrests of the people on the eastern shore. I have only lived here for 11 years, but since when was that consitered a welcome idea by the natives?
BTW - sorry about the spelling in the beginning of that comment of mine above. Wow.
I'm with you, Dan. The Western Shore power-brokering is the very thing that Shore people have held in contempt for years. As was shown by the fact that Mr. Harris did not carry a single Shore county.
I also agree with the first anonymous writer. The lecture about graciousness followed up by party-hacking statements is hypocritical.
Mr. Kratovil seems level-headed, well-versed in law, and gasp, mainstream. I am already turned off by Harris and his camp.
wow...two days after and the Kratovil people are already after Harris. First of all, Harris is a DOCTOR, not a lawyer as mentioned. Secondly, Harris did nothing that was more or less out of line than the other opponents. All used negative tactics. Just because Gilchrest's negative ads were paid for by special interest groups doesn't mean they weren't his.
anon 2:26 - you are correct, and my docor/laywer mistake was unintentional.
To clarify, I am not here shilling for Kratovil. I had no problem with Gilchrest at all. My concern just comes from how everone can reconcile the idea that a Baltimore guy with Western Shore support is the best thing for the Eastern Shore. In any other light, there would be a piling on of the "from here, come here" debate. In the area of representation in Washingon, though, this is not the case.
So, we are all OK with Baltimore and "the other side" having hte conrol over what happens? That is acceptable now?
just asking.
To Anonymous 0700 -
Let's answer your "fair question" first. What is your evidence that the election was rigged? There is none. I am sorry that you are so upset over your candidate losing that you would make such a bizarre statement, but it does help to prove the points in my post.
Have I ever referred to Frank Kratovil as "Kroptoville"? I don't think so.
You also comment that Harris, et al started the "war of words" against Gilchrest. This is probably true. However, this begs another question. What is a political campaign other than a war of words and ideas. You never heard me whine about the endless mailings I received from the Congressman's campaign attacking Andy Harris. You didn't and you won't.
Why? That's politics. If you don't like it, don't play. I didn't make the rules. On top of everything else, I want to know where you (seemingly everyone opposed to Harris) comes off complaining about the primary being "so nasty". With all due respect, this was one of the calmest primaries I've ever seen (particularly when an incumbent was challenged). Perhaps you should read a few more newspapers or watch a little more TV news. This puppy was a veritable love fest.
Nasty is when the legitimacy of a candidate's children is questioned. How about their sexual orientation? How about their faithfulness to their spouse? That's nasty. This campaign didn't have any of that. The closest thing was a few mentions (but not by the Harris campaign) of Wayne's brother being gay and being married to his lover.
IF the Harris campaign had tried that one on for size I would have been leading the charge calling them out for being bigots and for being stupid. It didn't happen.
As for you claiming that my comment about Kratovil being a panderer, That's from over 30 years in conservative politics. Can't prove it. Just know. Won't be able to prove it unless he's elected and then gets a term or two under his belt.
Just relax. Time heals all wounds.
Dan -
No vitriol. Just sincere opposition over certain core issues. I can't speak for anyone other than myself, but it's that simple.
I'm a Reaganite, pure and simple. I believe in a smaller federal government. I believe in lower taxes (but not as end in themselves a la Bush). I believe in a strong national defense. I believe that the US Constitution means what it says.
One of the few issues that I agree with Congressman Gilchrest on is the war, but for totally different reasons. I'm a non-resister because of my faith and I also don't believe in nation building.
One of the things that seriously confused me during the primary race was this charge of Harris being mean or nasty. Perhaps you can help me out.
What did Andy Harris say about either Wayne Gilchrest or E J Pipkin that was not factually based?
I deliberately phrased the question that way because a lot of the rhetoric was just that, rhetoric. "Andy Harris - conservative. Wayne Gilchrest and E J Pipkin, two liberal peas in a pod." That kind of thing.
Did Wayne support an immigration bill that we conservatives (and many others) call amnesty? Yes. Did Andy vote for that stupid immigration center in MoCo? Yes. The list goes on.
But, if you (and others) believe that it is somehow wrong to criticize YOUR candidate's voting record (whether you believe it's OK to criticize your opponent's or not)we have to seriously part company.
If you are an elected legislative official, EVERY VOTE is fodder. I want the other guy criticizing my guy. I certainly don't expect my guy to call me up and say, "Hey G. A., I seriously screwed the pooch on this vote the other day." Plus, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Has Mr. Gilchrest even contacted Mr. Harris yet to concede?
No doubt over the years Wayne has done good things for Maryland and our nation. To be short if we had term limits he wouldn't have even been in the race.
There is one downfall of term limits though, are there qualified candidates running?
I see a trend of voters wanting a drastic change in business as usual and that is being seen in every election as of yet in these primaries.
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