PLEASE STOP THIS CYCLE OF POLITICIANS THINKING THEY CAN IGNORE RULE OF LAW. IT WILL END YOUR STATUS AS CITIZEN.....WHICH IS THE GOAL OF NEO-LIBERALISM.
You know what we say to Supreme Court ruling that allows corporate and wealth to send tons of money into campaigns?
LET THE RICH MAKE THE MEDIA RICH MAKING THEIR CORPORATE POLS RICH --------just educate in your communities for people to stop listening to these campaign advertisements that almost always have little truth. Community centers, public schools, public justice organizations should all be educating the public as to the need to dis-empower these campaign strategies!
I will end for now my look at public justice in Maryland with a fitting topic......election law and free and fair elections. My candidacy is based first on getting elected as Governor of Maryland but as important is highlighting how fraudulent and corrupt Maryland elections have become and much of it involves how candidates are allowed to get their campaign platform out to the public and get name recognition. As you see below, there are pockets of Maryland's system that work and gaping holes where it doesn't.
I know that the same thing is happening in your neck of the woods so please fight the dismantling of democracy and democratic structures!
Regarding Doug Gansler and Maryland elections:
I would like to take one last day for now to speak to rebuilding Rule of Law and public justice in Maryland. Today I will look at free and fair elections and election violations. These are a good topic for Dan Rodricks show with Doug Gansler.
The first question has to do with eligibility to run for Governor of Maryland. As Maryland Attorney General these two terms Doug has served at a period in America that needed justice for the largest looting of the US Treasury and American people pockets in US history. The Bush/Obama Administrations are already labelled as the most corrupt in US history. Doug Gansler has time and again signed off on settlements for fraud that all know were parking tickets and then found ways to make sure any penalties paid by corporations made it back to them through 'gifting' or development. Meanwhile Doug famously says 'I see no fraud and corruption' as Center for Public Integrity ranks Maryland at the bottom for corruption and lack of transparency and other government watchdogs do the same for fraud. A state does not have the honor of being ranked as one of the most criminal in the nation without the State Attorney General 'seeing no fraud and corruption'. All government officials take an oath of office to serve in the public interest so turning your head to fraud and corruption is aiding and abetting these crimes. THIS IS A FELONY.
Now, as a candidate for Governor of Maryland I am due equal access to public forums and debates put forward in Maryland by all 501c3-4 non-profits and democratic party machines. I have many invitations across America but this is what I see quite often and most of it is illegal. When the Baltimore Education Coalition has a debate of candidates for governor and does not invite Cindy Walsh for Governor-----the candidate from Baltimore----they have broken election campaign laws. Who was part of that debate? DOUG GANSLER FOR GOVERNOR. Now, it is his job to stop this debate until it represents all democratic candidates. I'll let the republicans put forward their own beef. I was told the worst offender of this non-profit equal participation for candidates law are Maryland public media-----Maryland Public Television and Maryland Public Radio. Both of these are 501c-3s getting taxpayer money that break these campaign laws every election-----AND DOUG GANSLER DOES NOTHING. THIS IS HIS JOB. Doug does not get to enforce only the laws he wants------THIS IS A RULE OF LAW ----EQUAL PROTECTION country.
So, we have political forums and debates happening across Maryland deliberately violating laws and doing so because they think they are protected from justice. The second category of violations are the stealth debates and forums designed to circumvent the election laws by pretending a private non-profit is not behind these events. Morgan State University has a public forum sponsored by 'a group of individuals' as does the Maryland NAACP, and the State Democratic Party has its statewide debates as 'Brown invites Gansler and Mizeur for a debate', another circumvention this time by the State Democratic Party. The Young Democrats of Maryland had a debate and forum failing to invite Cindy Walsh for Governor of Maryland-----an illegal act. Doug Gansler charged with enforcing election laws was there.
The last point has to do with campaign contributions and war chests collected by politicians who just 'cannot see fraud and corruption'. When Doug Gansler selects how he will enforce law to protect corporate industries from billions of dollars in fraud and prosecutions......does that warrant a few million in industry contributions to his campaign? Sounds like a good deal for these corporations and for Doug Gansler.
THIS IS CALLED PAY-TO-PLAY and it is illegal.
So, we have felonies right and left for one candidate for governor who seems able to receive time in Maryland media and with State Democratic Party machines.......but not for the candidates who are not felons and promote Rule of Law. This is what makes Maryland and right now, the US, a second world heading for third world nation. Rule of Law and Equal Protection does not allow selective enforcement of laws----this happens in Iran and Kenya.
You probably will not hear me on Maryland 'Public' Media this election cycle-----state tune for Cindy Walsh in court over election violations happening during this campaign hopefully in the capacity of Governor of Maryland! One thing I do have is a private non-profit called Citizens Oversight Maryland that has more readership than public radio and many of the private non-profits excluding me.
These corporate neo-liberals in Maryland that control the democratic party work to make sure this control stays with wealth and profit candidates like Brown, Gansler, and Mizeur. That is why these are the candidates you hear. The citizens of Maryland are being subjected to the worst of social conditions created by suspended Rule of Law and dismantling of democratic structures but people of color will feel it most. So, when institutions like Morgan State and Maryland NAACP work to keep my campaign out of this election debate......I being the only candidate who will actually protect black university funding and civil rights and liberties.....you see the corruption.
NEO-LIBERALISM = TOTALITARIANISM = THIRD WORLD SOCIETY. America does not have to be about winners and losers and doing anything to win. It is a democracy with a US Constitution that gives all citizens the same rights and protections!
The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.
On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 05-Mar-2014
_______________________________________________
Cindy Walsh for Governor of Maryland has received many invitations to debates across Maryland this primary season. The system is not completely corrupt. You will see the major Democratic Party vehicles in Central Maryland/Baltimore are the ones violating election law and it is no coincidence that this is the area most filled with fraud and corruption in the state.
I introduced myself to the Young Democrats. They have a requirement to see all candidates are invited.
Gubernatorial candidates make their cases to Young Democrats
Convention held in Annapolis
March 22, 2014|By Scott Dance and Carrie Wells, The Baltimore Sun
Maryland's Democratic candidates for governor made their cases to the party's youths Saturday, but for some, like Baltimore high school student Eric Brown, the race is still a tossup.
Brown criticized all three candidates. Of Attorney General Douglas Gansler, the Reginald F. Lewis High School senior said he liked hearing straightforward albeit long answers to questions. Del. Heather Mizeur? "She's an idealist," Brown said. And Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, he said, "had a hard time telling us what he's done."
The three candidates appeared at the Young Democrats' annual convention in Annapolis, answering questions from the young audience that focused largely on issues including higher education, jobs growth and marijuana policy. In a straw poll, Brown edged out Mizeur, with Gansler a distant third.
Each made the pilgrimage as their campaigns prepare for the June 24 primary that will decide which of them will be the favorite in the general election, in which Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin among voters.
Given a large number of students in the audience, each of the candidates weighed in on college affordability.
Mizeur suggested that the state step in where the federal government has backed off in support of financial aid, and possibly consider a "pay it forward" model adopted in Oregon in which students agree to pay a portion of their future salaries rather than paying tuition up front.
Asked about a Baltimore Sun editorial board proposal to cap tuition increases at 5 percent, instead of the 3 percent that Brown's campaign has pledged, and use the extra money for scholarships for needy students, Brown said his campaign was open to the idea.
"We have pivoted more and more to the need-based scholarships than ever before, but we need to continue to pivot there," Brown said.
Alicia Joynes, a Baltimore candidate for the Democratic State Central Committee and a 2008 Morgan State University graduate, asked Brown and running mate Ken Ulman, the Howard County executive, what their stance was on unfair program duplication affecting historically black colleges. The parties in a lawsuit on that issue are currently in court-ordered mediation.
"I don't think that policy is best made through the courts, so I'd like to see that removed from under the supervision of the court," Brown said. "We need to incentivize within our university system collaborations so that Towson and Morgan can collaborate on delivering a business school or whatever the program may be. ... What we don't do is look to the courts to settle matters. If this thing is not mediated by the time Ken and I take office, we're going to do everything we can to take it outside of mediation."
Gansler backed a "need-blind" admission process used at universities like Harvard and Yale in which students are accepted on their merits, and then financial aid packages are used to make it possible for all to afford tuition.
When one attendee challenged him for being conservative on business issues, Gansler also defended a proposal from his campaign to lower the state's corporate tax rate while collecting more from large corporations by enacting a tax policy known as combined reporting, saying it would support job growth in the state.
Much of Mizeur's education focus was on a push for universal pre-kindergarten, while she received the loudest crowd support for her calls to legalize marijuana. Attendee Dominique Hazzard called Mizeur "a breath of fresh air."
Ian Bonanno, a senior at Northern High School in Calvert County, said he thought it was clear Mizeur and Brown brought out supporters in large numbers, whereas a smaller and quieter crowd was present for Gansler's portion — circumstances perhaps reflected in the straw poll results.
"I think Heather was able to make the biggest impact," said Bonanno, who plans to volunteer for her campaign but is undecided on how he will cast his vote in June.
___________________________________________
Below you see how a general invitation to all candidates for governor is easy to do. It is not partisan, it is inclusive, and it does not violate election laws. Doug Gansler will probably not be there.
On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 3:53 PM, Erik Gulbrandsen <etgulbrandsen@gmail.com> wrote:
On Friday, May 2, Kent County Democrats will host a "Meet the Candidates" event at our Headquarters, at 357 High St. The event will be an open house from 5 to 8 pm, coinciding with Chestertown's First Friday festivities. We hope you will join us for a great opportunity to meet potential supporters.
Let me know if you plan to attend, or if you have any questions. We also look forward to making your campaign signs, stickers, and other materials available at HQ throughout the cycle, so bring us some of your swag and we'll make sure it gets displayed prominently!
Erik Gulbrandsen
KCDCC Treasurer
410-371-0323
____________________________________________
The last point for now has to do with the consolidation of media in Baltimore and Maryland with the Baltimore Sun now having City Paper and all small regional news journals and the Daily Record going out of business. We have no public media as that is corporate as well. Now, I have for years commented in the Baltimore Sun as in all media in the area responding to Thomas Schaller and the columnists for the Sun at every turn. Yet somehow the comment section for Schaller is disabled and no one can comment to his opinion pieces that are always neo-liberal/Clinton.
It doesn't matter if these columnists shout out for O'Malley, Hillary, Biden, or Cuomo-----they are all neo-liberal. We hear Maryland is Clinton Country because she is the neo-liberal/neo-conservative darling----the mother of global corporate tribunals and Trans Pacific Trade Pact (TPP) that no one wants. So, the citizens of Maryland are not for Hillary----the neo-liberals supporting global corporations and markets are. Maryland media does not want this in the comment section going into 2016 elections and they are blocking me.
Free and fair elections must have avenues for all candidates for elections able to share their platforms and discuss the issues. Voters need to know who the candidates on the ballot are when they go to vote. In Maryland, if you are not part of the crony political machines.....whether democrat or republican.....you will not get name recognition.
RULE OF LAW WILL REQUIRE THE STATE AND CITY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC ELECTION FORUMS AND ISSUE DEBATES FOR ALL CANDIDATES. A democracy requires that all citizens have access to issues and opportunity to join the political discussion. Maryland has neither.
THOMAS SCHALLER AND BALTIMORE SUN----STOP BLOCKING COMMENTS AGAINST NEO-LIBERALS LIKE HILLARY CLINTON.
Your move, Governor
As his governorship comes to an end, Martin O'Malley can retire or seek higher office
Thomas F. Schaller
12:14 p.m. EDT, April 1, 2014
Is Martin O'Malley running for president in 2016? Should he?
The answer to both questions seems the same: Sort of.
Maryland's governor will finish his second term in January, the same week he turns 52. After serving as Baltimore mayor and Maryland governor, his career in elective politics may end at a very young age unless he runs for the presidency.
The major obstacle in Mr. O'Malley's path to the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination is Hillary Clinton. In fact, as the prohibitive favorite to win the nomination, she's every Democratic hopeful's obstacle. When the Sun polled Maryland Democrats in February, they preferred Ms. Clinton to their own governor by a 10-to-1 margin, 59 percent to 6 percent.
And don't bet on Ms. Clinton repeating in 2016 the strategic and tactical errors that ruined her 2008 presidential bid. Fool her once, shame on her. Fool her twice — not a chance. If she runs, she wins.
Ms. Clinton has yet to declare her candidacy, and maybe she'll opt not to run. Presuming she does seek the nomination, however, she has a small problem: She needs to actually beat somebody to claim it.
Victory by acclimation will be less satisfying for the former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state than vanquishing a decent challenger. A contested primary is in her best interest.
Enter Mr. O'Malley, the Larry Holmes of 2016. If he's smart, Maryland's governor will declare his candidacy later this year — but before Ms. Clinton does — and then start raising money and a few eyebrows by serving as her sparring partner-to-be. Just as Muhammad Ali sharpened his boxing skills by sparring with Mr. Holmes, Mr. O'Malley can help Ms. Clinton stay sharp as she prepares for the general election.
He is ideally suited to the task.
Remember: Mr. O'Malley endorsed Ms. Clinton over Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary, a decision that partly insulates him from backlash from Camp Hillary. He's wonky in a way that will make the former first lady — who in 2008 was the policy steak to Mr. Obama's rhetorical sizzle — look dynamic. His lack of foreign policy experience will accentuate her international and diplomatic cred.
And with all the administrative problems of the Obamacare rollout, both nationally and here in Maryland, Mr. O'Malley is more likely to be on the defensive about health care than she. (Hard to believe the Hillarycare disaster was more than two decades ago, isn't it?)
Which is not to suggest Mr. O'Malley's job is to take an embarrassing political dive. He's stronger than Ms. Clinton on issues related to economic populism and inequality, which may force her to talk about these issues more cogently.
What possible benefit is there for Mr. O'Malley to play the role of primary sparring partner? That's pretty obvious: the vice presidential slot on the Clinton ticket.
He is ideally suited for that role, too.
If she runs and wins the nomination, Ms. Clinton could select a woman or racial minority to be her running mate. But the safe move is probably to choose a white male. Mr. O'Malley qualifies, and he would balance the ticket in other ways: Younger, a governor, a Catholic. Progressives will also be cheered by Mr. O'Malley's successful efforts to move Maryland leftward on issues ranging from gay marriage to college tuition to the death penalty.
Mr. O'Malley doesn't put any additional states into play for the Democrats: One of only three states where Mr. Obama's 2012 winning margin exceeded that of 2008, Maryland is already solidly Democratic. But so what? Most states are so reliably blue or red that vice presidential candidates are no longer expected to deliver their states' electors anyway. (Mitt Romney didn't carry Paul Ryan's Wisconsin, which not long ago was a swing state — third closest margin in 2000, closest in 2004.)
Mr. O'Malley wowed nobody with his address to the 2012 Democratic National Convention. If he wants to move to the next level, he must prove he can deliver a rousing speech, raise gobs of cash and artfully skewer the Republicans. Or he could quietly retire to private life.
Your move, Governor.
__________________________________________
You know what we say to Supreme Court ruling that allows corporate and wealth to send tons of money into campaigns?
LET THE RICH MAKE THE MEDIA RICH MAKING THEIR CORPORATE POLS RICH --------just educate in your communities for people to stop listening to these campaign advertisements that almost always have little truth. Community centers, public schools, public justice organizations should all be educating the public as to the need to dis-empower these campaign strategies!
FIGHT THIS BY REBUILDING PUBLIC SPACES FOR POLITICAL ISSUES AND DISCUSSION!
Supreme Court ruling could affect governor's race
By Erin Cox The Baltimore Sun 12:38 p.m. EDT, April 2, 2014
Maryland’s heated primary race for governor could get another twist if Wednesday's Supreme Court decision also strikes down the state’s cap on how much residents can donate to state political campaigns.
Minutes after the Supreme Court struck down aggregate contribution limits in federal races, Jared DeMarinis’ phone at the Maryland Board of Elections began ringing off the hook.
“Everyone wants to know: What does this mean?” said DeMarinis, director of campaign finance and candidacy.
“This one does have a direct impact on Maryland,” he said. “Maryland has one of the more restrictive aggregate limits in the nation.”
DeMarinis is still thumbing through a 40-page ruling to determine whether it could invalidate Maryland’s $10,000 per-person cap on political spending.
Limits about how much each candidate can receive from a donor remain in place, but the ruling could possibly allow donors who have already reached their aggregate limit for the election cycle to begin putting money into as many races as they want.
“The impact that this has is great, and because it's an election year, these questions need immediate answers,” he said.
The Board of Elections can’t unilaterally undo a law, but it could tell donors who have already reached the cap they are now free to donate more without facing state enforcement.
DeMarinis said he and lawyers with the attorney general’s office will review the ruling and issue a letter of guidance to donors and campaigns by April 11.
You know what we say to Supreme Court ruling that allows corporate and wealth to send tons of money into campaigns?
LET THE RICH MAKE THE MEDIA RICH MAKING THEIR CORPORATE POLS RICH --------just educate in your communities for people to stop listening to these campaign advertisements that almost always have little truth. Community centers, public schools, public justice organizations should all be educating the public as to the need to dis-empower these campaign strategies!
I will end for now my look at public justice in Maryland with a fitting topic......election law and free and fair elections. My candidacy is based first on getting elected as Governor of Maryland but as important is highlighting how fraudulent and corrupt Maryland elections have become and much of it involves how candidates are allowed to get their campaign platform out to the public and get name recognition. As you see below, there are pockets of Maryland's system that work and gaping holes where it doesn't.
I know that the same thing is happening in your neck of the woods so please fight the dismantling of democracy and democratic structures!
Regarding Doug Gansler and Maryland elections:
I would like to take one last day for now to speak to rebuilding Rule of Law and public justice in Maryland. Today I will look at free and fair elections and election violations. These are a good topic for Dan Rodricks show with Doug Gansler.
The first question has to do with eligibility to run for Governor of Maryland. As Maryland Attorney General these two terms Doug has served at a period in America that needed justice for the largest looting of the US Treasury and American people pockets in US history. The Bush/Obama Administrations are already labelled as the most corrupt in US history. Doug Gansler has time and again signed off on settlements for fraud that all know were parking tickets and then found ways to make sure any penalties paid by corporations made it back to them through 'gifting' or development. Meanwhile Doug famously says 'I see no fraud and corruption' as Center for Public Integrity ranks Maryland at the bottom for corruption and lack of transparency and other government watchdogs do the same for fraud. A state does not have the honor of being ranked as one of the most criminal in the nation without the State Attorney General 'seeing no fraud and corruption'. All government officials take an oath of office to serve in the public interest so turning your head to fraud and corruption is aiding and abetting these crimes. THIS IS A FELONY.
Now, as a candidate for Governor of Maryland I am due equal access to public forums and debates put forward in Maryland by all 501c3-4 non-profits and democratic party machines. I have many invitations across America but this is what I see quite often and most of it is illegal. When the Baltimore Education Coalition has a debate of candidates for governor and does not invite Cindy Walsh for Governor-----the candidate from Baltimore----they have broken election campaign laws. Who was part of that debate? DOUG GANSLER FOR GOVERNOR. Now, it is his job to stop this debate until it represents all democratic candidates. I'll let the republicans put forward their own beef. I was told the worst offender of this non-profit equal participation for candidates law are Maryland public media-----Maryland Public Television and Maryland Public Radio. Both of these are 501c-3s getting taxpayer money that break these campaign laws every election-----AND DOUG GANSLER DOES NOTHING. THIS IS HIS JOB. Doug does not get to enforce only the laws he wants------THIS IS A RULE OF LAW ----EQUAL PROTECTION country.
So, we have political forums and debates happening across Maryland deliberately violating laws and doing so because they think they are protected from justice. The second category of violations are the stealth debates and forums designed to circumvent the election laws by pretending a private non-profit is not behind these events. Morgan State University has a public forum sponsored by 'a group of individuals' as does the Maryland NAACP, and the State Democratic Party has its statewide debates as 'Brown invites Gansler and Mizeur for a debate', another circumvention this time by the State Democratic Party. The Young Democrats of Maryland had a debate and forum failing to invite Cindy Walsh for Governor of Maryland-----an illegal act. Doug Gansler charged with enforcing election laws was there.
The last point has to do with campaign contributions and war chests collected by politicians who just 'cannot see fraud and corruption'. When Doug Gansler selects how he will enforce law to protect corporate industries from billions of dollars in fraud and prosecutions......does that warrant a few million in industry contributions to his campaign? Sounds like a good deal for these corporations and for Doug Gansler.
THIS IS CALLED PAY-TO-PLAY and it is illegal.
So, we have felonies right and left for one candidate for governor who seems able to receive time in Maryland media and with State Democratic Party machines.......but not for the candidates who are not felons and promote Rule of Law. This is what makes Maryland and right now, the US, a second world heading for third world nation. Rule of Law and Equal Protection does not allow selective enforcement of laws----this happens in Iran and Kenya.
You probably will not hear me on Maryland 'Public' Media this election cycle-----state tune for Cindy Walsh in court over election violations happening during this campaign hopefully in the capacity of Governor of Maryland! One thing I do have is a private non-profit called Citizens Oversight Maryland that has more readership than public radio and many of the private non-profits excluding me.
These corporate neo-liberals in Maryland that control the democratic party work to make sure this control stays with wealth and profit candidates like Brown, Gansler, and Mizeur. That is why these are the candidates you hear. The citizens of Maryland are being subjected to the worst of social conditions created by suspended Rule of Law and dismantling of democratic structures but people of color will feel it most. So, when institutions like Morgan State and Maryland NAACP work to keep my campaign out of this election debate......I being the only candidate who will actually protect black university funding and civil rights and liberties.....you see the corruption.
NEO-LIBERALISM = TOTALITARIANISM = THIRD WORLD SOCIETY. America does not have to be about winners and losers and doing anything to win. It is a democracy with a US Constitution that gives all citizens the same rights and protections!
The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.
On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 05-Mar-2014
_______________________________________________
Cindy Walsh for Governor of Maryland has received many invitations to debates across Maryland this primary season. The system is not completely corrupt. You will see the major Democratic Party vehicles in Central Maryland/Baltimore are the ones violating election law and it is no coincidence that this is the area most filled with fraud and corruption in the state.
I introduced myself to the Young Democrats. They have a requirement to see all candidates are invited.
Gubernatorial candidates make their cases to Young Democrats
Convention held in Annapolis
March 22, 2014|By Scott Dance and Carrie Wells, The Baltimore Sun
Maryland's Democratic candidates for governor made their cases to the party's youths Saturday, but for some, like Baltimore high school student Eric Brown, the race is still a tossup.
Brown criticized all three candidates. Of Attorney General Douglas Gansler, the Reginald F. Lewis High School senior said he liked hearing straightforward albeit long answers to questions. Del. Heather Mizeur? "She's an idealist," Brown said. And Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, he said, "had a hard time telling us what he's done."
The three candidates appeared at the Young Democrats' annual convention in Annapolis, answering questions from the young audience that focused largely on issues including higher education, jobs growth and marijuana policy. In a straw poll, Brown edged out Mizeur, with Gansler a distant third.
Each made the pilgrimage as their campaigns prepare for the June 24 primary that will decide which of them will be the favorite in the general election, in which Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin among voters.
Given a large number of students in the audience, each of the candidates weighed in on college affordability.
Mizeur suggested that the state step in where the federal government has backed off in support of financial aid, and possibly consider a "pay it forward" model adopted in Oregon in which students agree to pay a portion of their future salaries rather than paying tuition up front.
Asked about a Baltimore Sun editorial board proposal to cap tuition increases at 5 percent, instead of the 3 percent that Brown's campaign has pledged, and use the extra money for scholarships for needy students, Brown said his campaign was open to the idea.
"We have pivoted more and more to the need-based scholarships than ever before, but we need to continue to pivot there," Brown said.
Alicia Joynes, a Baltimore candidate for the Democratic State Central Committee and a 2008 Morgan State University graduate, asked Brown and running mate Ken Ulman, the Howard County executive, what their stance was on unfair program duplication affecting historically black colleges. The parties in a lawsuit on that issue are currently in court-ordered mediation.
"I don't think that policy is best made through the courts, so I'd like to see that removed from under the supervision of the court," Brown said. "We need to incentivize within our university system collaborations so that Towson and Morgan can collaborate on delivering a business school or whatever the program may be. ... What we don't do is look to the courts to settle matters. If this thing is not mediated by the time Ken and I take office, we're going to do everything we can to take it outside of mediation."
Gansler backed a "need-blind" admission process used at universities like Harvard and Yale in which students are accepted on their merits, and then financial aid packages are used to make it possible for all to afford tuition.
When one attendee challenged him for being conservative on business issues, Gansler also defended a proposal from his campaign to lower the state's corporate tax rate while collecting more from large corporations by enacting a tax policy known as combined reporting, saying it would support job growth in the state.
Much of Mizeur's education focus was on a push for universal pre-kindergarten, while she received the loudest crowd support for her calls to legalize marijuana. Attendee Dominique Hazzard called Mizeur "a breath of fresh air."
Ian Bonanno, a senior at Northern High School in Calvert County, said he thought it was clear Mizeur and Brown brought out supporters in large numbers, whereas a smaller and quieter crowd was present for Gansler's portion — circumstances perhaps reflected in the straw poll results.
"I think Heather was able to make the biggest impact," said Bonanno, who plans to volunteer for her campaign but is undecided on how he will cast his vote in June.
___________________________________________
Below you see how a general invitation to all candidates for governor is easy to do. It is not partisan, it is inclusive, and it does not violate election laws. Doug Gansler will probably not be there.
On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 3:53 PM, Erik Gulbrandsen <etgulbrandsen@gmail.com> wrote:
On Friday, May 2, Kent County Democrats will host a "Meet the Candidates" event at our Headquarters, at 357 High St. The event will be an open house from 5 to 8 pm, coinciding with Chestertown's First Friday festivities. We hope you will join us for a great opportunity to meet potential supporters.
Let me know if you plan to attend, or if you have any questions. We also look forward to making your campaign signs, stickers, and other materials available at HQ throughout the cycle, so bring us some of your swag and we'll make sure it gets displayed prominently!
Erik Gulbrandsen
KCDCC Treasurer
410-371-0323
____________________________________________
The last point for now has to do with the consolidation of media in Baltimore and Maryland with the Baltimore Sun now having City Paper and all small regional news journals and the Daily Record going out of business. We have no public media as that is corporate as well. Now, I have for years commented in the Baltimore Sun as in all media in the area responding to Thomas Schaller and the columnists for the Sun at every turn. Yet somehow the comment section for Schaller is disabled and no one can comment to his opinion pieces that are always neo-liberal/Clinton.
It doesn't matter if these columnists shout out for O'Malley, Hillary, Biden, or Cuomo-----they are all neo-liberal. We hear Maryland is Clinton Country because she is the neo-liberal/neo-conservative darling----the mother of global corporate tribunals and Trans Pacific Trade Pact (TPP) that no one wants. So, the citizens of Maryland are not for Hillary----the neo-liberals supporting global corporations and markets are. Maryland media does not want this in the comment section going into 2016 elections and they are blocking me.
Free and fair elections must have avenues for all candidates for elections able to share their platforms and discuss the issues. Voters need to know who the candidates on the ballot are when they go to vote. In Maryland, if you are not part of the crony political machines.....whether democrat or republican.....you will not get name recognition.
RULE OF LAW WILL REQUIRE THE STATE AND CITY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC ELECTION FORUMS AND ISSUE DEBATES FOR ALL CANDIDATES. A democracy requires that all citizens have access to issues and opportunity to join the political discussion. Maryland has neither.
THOMAS SCHALLER AND BALTIMORE SUN----STOP BLOCKING COMMENTS AGAINST NEO-LIBERALS LIKE HILLARY CLINTON.
Your move, Governor
As his governorship comes to an end, Martin O'Malley can retire or seek higher office
Thomas F. Schaller
12:14 p.m. EDT, April 1, 2014
Is Martin O'Malley running for president in 2016? Should he?
The answer to both questions seems the same: Sort of.
Maryland's governor will finish his second term in January, the same week he turns 52. After serving as Baltimore mayor and Maryland governor, his career in elective politics may end at a very young age unless he runs for the presidency.
The major obstacle in Mr. O'Malley's path to the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination is Hillary Clinton. In fact, as the prohibitive favorite to win the nomination, she's every Democratic hopeful's obstacle. When the Sun polled Maryland Democrats in February, they preferred Ms. Clinton to their own governor by a 10-to-1 margin, 59 percent to 6 percent.
And don't bet on Ms. Clinton repeating in 2016 the strategic and tactical errors that ruined her 2008 presidential bid. Fool her once, shame on her. Fool her twice — not a chance. If she runs, she wins.
Ms. Clinton has yet to declare her candidacy, and maybe she'll opt not to run. Presuming she does seek the nomination, however, she has a small problem: She needs to actually beat somebody to claim it.
Victory by acclimation will be less satisfying for the former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state than vanquishing a decent challenger. A contested primary is in her best interest.
Enter Mr. O'Malley, the Larry Holmes of 2016. If he's smart, Maryland's governor will declare his candidacy later this year — but before Ms. Clinton does — and then start raising money and a few eyebrows by serving as her sparring partner-to-be. Just as Muhammad Ali sharpened his boxing skills by sparring with Mr. Holmes, Mr. O'Malley can help Ms. Clinton stay sharp as she prepares for the general election.
He is ideally suited to the task.
Remember: Mr. O'Malley endorsed Ms. Clinton over Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary, a decision that partly insulates him from backlash from Camp Hillary. He's wonky in a way that will make the former first lady — who in 2008 was the policy steak to Mr. Obama's rhetorical sizzle — look dynamic. His lack of foreign policy experience will accentuate her international and diplomatic cred.
And with all the administrative problems of the Obamacare rollout, both nationally and here in Maryland, Mr. O'Malley is more likely to be on the defensive about health care than she. (Hard to believe the Hillarycare disaster was more than two decades ago, isn't it?)
Which is not to suggest Mr. O'Malley's job is to take an embarrassing political dive. He's stronger than Ms. Clinton on issues related to economic populism and inequality, which may force her to talk about these issues more cogently.
What possible benefit is there for Mr. O'Malley to play the role of primary sparring partner? That's pretty obvious: the vice presidential slot on the Clinton ticket.
He is ideally suited for that role, too.
If she runs and wins the nomination, Ms. Clinton could select a woman or racial minority to be her running mate. But the safe move is probably to choose a white male. Mr. O'Malley qualifies, and he would balance the ticket in other ways: Younger, a governor, a Catholic. Progressives will also be cheered by Mr. O'Malley's successful efforts to move Maryland leftward on issues ranging from gay marriage to college tuition to the death penalty.
Mr. O'Malley doesn't put any additional states into play for the Democrats: One of only three states where Mr. Obama's 2012 winning margin exceeded that of 2008, Maryland is already solidly Democratic. But so what? Most states are so reliably blue or red that vice presidential candidates are no longer expected to deliver their states' electors anyway. (Mitt Romney didn't carry Paul Ryan's Wisconsin, which not long ago was a swing state — third closest margin in 2000, closest in 2004.)
Mr. O'Malley wowed nobody with his address to the 2012 Democratic National Convention. If he wants to move to the next level, he must prove he can deliver a rousing speech, raise gobs of cash and artfully skewer the Republicans. Or he could quietly retire to private life.
Your move, Governor.
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You know what we say to Supreme Court ruling that allows corporate and wealth to send tons of money into campaigns?
LET THE RICH MAKE THE MEDIA RICH MAKING THEIR CORPORATE POLS RICH --------just educate in your communities for people to stop listening to these campaign advertisements that almost always have little truth. Community centers, public schools, public justice organizations should all be educating the public as to the need to dis-empower these campaign strategies!
FIGHT THIS BY REBUILDING PUBLIC SPACES FOR POLITICAL ISSUES AND DISCUSSION!
Supreme Court ruling could affect governor's race
By Erin Cox The Baltimore Sun 12:38 p.m. EDT, April 2, 2014
Maryland’s heated primary race for governor could get another twist if Wednesday's Supreme Court decision also strikes down the state’s cap on how much residents can donate to state political campaigns.
Minutes after the Supreme Court struck down aggregate contribution limits in federal races, Jared DeMarinis’ phone at the Maryland Board of Elections began ringing off the hook.
“Everyone wants to know: What does this mean?” said DeMarinis, director of campaign finance and candidacy.
“This one does have a direct impact on Maryland,” he said. “Maryland has one of the more restrictive aggregate limits in the nation.”
DeMarinis is still thumbing through a 40-page ruling to determine whether it could invalidate Maryland’s $10,000 per-person cap on political spending.
Limits about how much each candidate can receive from a donor remain in place, but the ruling could possibly allow donors who have already reached their aggregate limit for the election cycle to begin putting money into as many races as they want.
“The impact that this has is great, and because it's an election year, these questions need immediate answers,” he said.
The Board of Elections can’t unilaterally undo a law, but it could tell donors who have already reached the cap they are now free to donate more without facing state enforcement.
DeMarinis said he and lawyers with the attorney general’s office will review the ruling and issue a letter of guidance to donors and campaigns by April 11.
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