First republican that had any sense whatsoever in Maryland (home of Dimmycrats)

He is holding his own in a tough state. Being governor of Maryland is a chore. Any governor who does a passable job at Annapolis should be applauded.

The fact that Robert L. Ehrlich, a moderate Republican, was elected in a predominately Democratic state is quite impressive to me. Thus far, he seems to be doing a decent job of governing my home state of Maryland. While critics like to contend that he is cutting vital services in order to balance the budget, the fiscal trouble that the state is currently going through is largely a result of the policies of the former Governor. Ehrlich is really in a tough spot because he is up against a largely Democratic legislature that has killed his slots program and is edging toward tax increases to balance the budget. I respect Ehrlich for refusing to raise income taxes. Furthermore, he is taking the initiative in closing corporate loopholes by forcing companies that operate in Maryland but transfer their assets to neighboring states to pay their fair share of taxes. He seems to have a comprehensive and sensible plan to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and generally improve the quality of the environment. His biggest loss as Governor thus far was the overwhelming defeat of the slots bill. While I understand the concern of most locals, it is important to note that West Virginia and Delaware have legalized video slot machines at their major horse tracks and have seen relatively no change in the crime rate. Furthermore, the argument that slot machines would promote compulsive gambling is dumbfounded, as it conveys to the people of Maryland that the government doesn't trust them to take responsibility for their own money. Surely, there are going to be a few irresponsible people that are going to blow their life savings playing slot machines, but the majority of people are responsible and know when to quit. It's quite silly at a time when the state is having a hard time balancing it's budget to kill the slots bill without so much as a second look. I feel that there should be a referendum that would allow the people of Maryland to decide on the slots issue. One thing is clear, however. No slots in Maryland is inevitably hurting that state's economy. Essentially, the thousands of Marylanders that go over to Delaware and West Virginia to gamble are pumping money into the economy of those states and Maryland is seeing none of the profit. It just seems that Maryland is getting cheated out of an opportunity to raise new funds to pay for education and health care and solve the budget crisis without raising taxes. It is also clear that the slots bill was so heavily opposed not so much because of the bill itself but the man who was sponsering it. The heavily Democratic legislature hates the fact that they have to cooperate with a Republican governor for the first time in three decades. The legislature is playing politics with the budget and the people of Maryland will soon feel the effects of it. While one may disagree with legalizing video slots in Maryland, one must at least acknowledge that Ehrlich is attempting to find another solution to the state's fiscal problems other than higher taxes. In the final analysis, while its too early to tell what true impact Ehrlich will have on Maryland, it is clear that he has a vision and an agenda and is off to a good start. UPDATE: It is becoming increasingly clear that Ehrlich is all style and no substance. While this may seem contradictory to the above comment praising his agenda, it is not. I still think his agenda is good and sensible for Maryland, but Ehrlich is too stubborn to realize that compromising with the state's other leaders is the only way to get things done. He needs to realize that he was elected by a narrow margin in a blue state with a Democratic legislature. He needs to be willing to compromise. Ehrlich has also come under fire recently for directing the heads of all executive departments to identify surplus land that the state could sell off to reduce administrative costs. This seems to be good public policy and sensible, as the state should not hold onto lands that serve no environmental purpose and cost thousands of dollars in maintenance costs each year. However, trying to sell the land to a well-connected political contributer is another matter entirely. UPDATE: Managed to call a special session right after Christmas to address medical malpractice, and submitted a bill that would have required the state to pay for the projected 33% increase in malpractice insurance premiums facing doctors. However, he didn't identify a funding source, and so the legislature amended the bill to put a tax on HMO premiums to pay for the financial obligations that Ehrlich's bill presented. Then Ehrlich vetoed the bill, and has yet to identify HOW ELSE the state would have paid for his bill. Ehrlich better get serious soon, as he's up for re-election in 2006 and doesn't have too many solid accomplishments to boast of. Arrogance and the inability to compromise are not two qualities to have when you are a Republican Governor of a blue state.

The bastard is trying to sell off Maryland land to developers, just like Bush is raping the western wilderness - I will work hard to ditch him. Keep the Blue state BLUE.

How do I follow a comment like that? Let me just say that at least he is trying to get slots at Maryland horse tracks. You people in Maryland don't know it, but your beloved Preakness will be gone without slots. Unless you want to go to Illinois to see it, it will be gone. He has done a good job and look at Redoedo for everything else. I don't follow Maryland politics that much...