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U.S. Senator Mikulski Tells Talbot Audience Kratovil Has “The Right Stuff”

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski endorsed Frank Kratovil, candidate for Maryland’s First Congressional District, at the Talbot Democratic Forum’s annual meeting on March 2 at a packed Avalon Theater in Easton.

“Frank Kratovil has the character and values that will allow him to put his patriotism into action,” Maryland’s senior senator told the packed house. “Frank Kratovil has the Right Stuff to serve in Congress.”

“Senator Mikulski continues to be the most popular elected official in the First Congressional District because of her reputation as a straight talker and a fighter for issues important to all Marylanders,” Kratovil remarked. “I pledge to represent the First District with that same spirit and energy.”

[Full article][PDF print version]

Breaking News: Sierra Club Endorses Kratovil

The Sierra Club has officially endorsed Frank Kratovil's candidacy in the First Congressional District. The endorsement letter from Carl Pope, Executive Director, and Jonathan Ela, Political Committee Chairman, states that the Sierra Club recognizes Mr. Kratovil's "demonstrated commitment to protecting America's environment."

"Sierra Club and its more than 750,000 members work to support pro-environmental candidates and keep environmental issues a top priority for Americans." The club also stated that they are looking forward to working with the Kratovil Campaign "to protect America's natural environment for our families and our future."

Gilchrest Backers Now Supporting Kratovil
Salisbury Daily Times, March 4, 2008

Republicans unhappy with the outcome of last month's congressional District 1 primary are wasting no time becoming activists and fundraisers for the Democratic nominee.

Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil, who won the district's Democratic nomination last month with 40 percent of the vote, will attend a fundraising breakfast in Chestertown on March 11 sponsored by Republicans for Kratovil. The members of this group comprises a large disenfranchised group of U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest supporters, such as longtime Gilchrest aide Karen Willis.

"I'm deeply saddened that Wayne didn't make it through the primary," Willis said. "I've found lots of people who feel the same way. I'm just trying to get behind Mr. Kratovil to continue to have 1st District representation from a thinking person."

This isn't fleeting support from Willis. She's worked for Gilchrest for nearly his entire career in Congress, and she doesn't support Baltimore County Sen. Andy Harris' more conservative views, whether it be Iraq or the economy.

Kratovil--who earned another big Democratic endorsement and fundraising help over the weekend, Sen. Barbara Mikulski--said he's thrilled to have Republicans feel strongly about his candidacy.

"I think most people who have dealt with me believe I am fair and make decisions on what is right and not partisan politics," Kratovil said. "Some of this is an anti-Harris sentiment...I also think part of it is similarity with Gilchrest. I'm fair and will represent the mainstream values of the district."

[Link] [Event details below]

Wednesday, March 5
Baltimore County DCC Reception
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Miller Senate Office Building, Presidential Conference Center, Annapolis. For details call 301.325.7791.

Saturday, March 8
Caroline County Democratic Club Annual Membership Meeting
8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Crowder Center, Wesleyan Camp, East Wesley Circle in Denton. Frank Kratovil will speak. For details call 410.479.2412.

Monday, March 10
Unity Day in Worcester County
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Ocean Pines Country Club, 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines. Frank Kratovil to speak with volunteers. Call 703.674.8594 for details.

Tuesday, March 11
Republicans for Kratovil Fundraiser
7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at The Kent Center, 215 Scheeler Road, Chestertown. Frank Kratovil will speak. RESERVATIONS: contact@kratovil.com or call 443-249-0607 orl 410.708.5521.

Wednesday, March 12
University of Maryland Democrats
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Adele Stamp Student Union, Edgar Allen Poe Room, Campus Drive and Union Lane, College Park. Frank Kratovil to speak. For details call 240.472.0311 or 443.243.7641.

Wednesday, March 19
Wicomico County Democratic Club
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, Emerson Avenue, Salisbury. Frank Kratovil to speak. Call 443.880.5709 for details.

Wednesday, March 26
District 30 Democratic Club Meeting
6:45 - 8:45 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West Street, Annapolis. Frank Kratovil to speak. For details call 410.703.3990.

Thursday, March 27
Kratovil Fundraiser
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, 500 Marina Club Road, Stevensville. Frank Kratovil will speak. For details call 410.708.5521.

High Stakes in Next Election
Salisbury Daily Times Editorial, February 26,2008

Whether they want it or not, Eastern Shore citizens are going to get a fresh start in Congress. Wayne Gilchrest, on whom the 'maverick' label fits better than it does on John McCain, was turned away from another term in the Feb. 12 primary by GOP voters more aligned with state Sen. Andy Harris's more easily identifiable conservatism.

It is going to make some lower Eastern Shore people extremely nervous that their next representative will either hail from the Western Shore, if it's Harris, or from a town two miles east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, if it's Democratic nominee Frank Kratovil, Jr.

Kratovil is clearly the candidate for those who wished to see Gilchrest returned to office. He promotes, as Gilchrest does, intense diplomatic efforts in Iraq, and does not, as Barack Obama does, place a higher priority on troop withdrawals than certain military success in Iraq. He would listen intently to advocates for the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal bays. The old, familiar incumbent is taking a bow. Voters should look very carefully at the candidates that aim to replace him. They have plenty of time before November to do that.

[Link]

Gilchrest's Ouster Lifts Democrats' Hopes in 1st
By Matthew Hay Brown, Baltimore Sun, February 25, 2008

With the primary election defeat of Republican Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest, Democrats nationally are taking a new look at Maryland's 1st Congressional District, a GOP stronghold they have long considered beyond their reach - until now.

House Democratic leaders, flush with cash after a record fundraising year in 2007, say the victory this month by conservative state Sen. Andy Harris in the bitterly fought Republican primary has given them their best chance in years to recapture a district they characterize as politically moderate.

[Link]

Nail-biter Finds National Backing
By Joseph Gidjunis, Salisbury Daily Times, February 25, 2008

Maryland received atypical recognition for serving as a key barometer for the presidential candidates during the Feb. 12 primary, and part of the state is keeping the spotlight through November.

Leaders from both national parties are expected to push resources into the 1st Congressional District until the general election to claim the seat vacated by GOP incumbent Wayne Gilchrest after losing by 10 percentage points.

[Link]

NRCC Failed Rep. Gilchrest, Aide Contends
By Aaron Blake, The Hill, February 26, 2008

A top aide to ousted Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) criticized the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Tuesday for not sharing polling information it had on the race prior to the Feb. 12 primary.

Caligiuri left open the possibility that Gilchrest might endorse Kratovil in the general election after a nasty primary battle with Harris. Harris defeated Gilchrest 43-33, bringing an end to the centrist incumbent's 18-year House career. Gilchrest has regularly won two-thirds of the general election vote, making his endorsement potentially key to an uphill battle for Kratovil. "No decision has been made about anything," Caligiuri said.

[Link]

Campaign Humor
From Sources Say in The Capital, February 22, 2008

When elected officials hold news conferences, often they don't want to veer off-topic, no matter how hard reporters might try. Such was the case this week, when Gov. Martin O'Malley called reporters up to the Governor's Reception Room in the State House to talk about global warming.

Tom LoBianco of The Washington Times tried to get the governor to bite with a question about the much-discussed race in the 1st Congressional District. Mr. LoBianco's question: Considering the environment and global warming are important on the Eastern Shore, what would the governor do to make sure Democrat Frank Kratovil gets elected?

Mr. O'Malley deftly replied: "We'd like to avoid seeing the 1st Congressional District become subaquatic vegetation. So that would help Frank and everyone else." That earned laughs from the whole room, including reporters who try very hard not to laugh at politicians' jokes.

Help plan a Unity Event. Contact your county coordinator for details. Not sure who your coordinator is? Call 443-249-0607.

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