$40 for Frank's 40th
Wish Frank a happy 40th birthday on May 29th by contributing $40 to his congressional campaign.
Send Birthday Wishes!
Quotes and stories about Frank are being collected, as well as reasons for supporting his campaign. These will be presented to him on his birthday,
May 29th. If you would like to contribute, there is still time. Please send an email today.
KRATOVIL FOR CONGRESS
FAMILY PICNIC
Family, friends, and supporters of First District Congressional Candidate Frank Kratovil gathered at the pavilion of the Kent Island Yacht Club for a rainy day picnic on Sunday, May 18th. Kratovil spoke about the need for less partisan politics and his positions on the issues.
Afterwards Frank, his wife Kimberly, and oldest son Frankie, joined other guests in writing morale boosting messages for our troops abroad on scrolls provided by George and Shirley Jackson of American Corner. When filled with messages, the scrolls will be sent to members of all our military services in locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
This was the second year that Frank and his family had participated in signing the scrolls for our troops. One scroll signed last year was received by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic. The scroll the Healy crew received was 418 feet long--only two feet shorter than their vessel!
Should you encounter George Jackson and his scrolls this summer, please join Frank Kratovil and the Kratovil Campaign in sending messages of hope and support to our service men and women stationed around the world.
RAINY DAY PARADE
IN GLEN BURNIE
District 32 Democratic Club float
Dutch Ruppersberger with the float
Nate and Frank Kratovil
Environmental alibi
Baltimore Sun Editorial, May 15, 2008
"Voters in Maryland's 1st Congressional District have a habit of sending people to Congress with a fondness for the Chesapeake Bay. The latest Republican vying for that seat, Andy Harris, has an abysmal score on a leading environmental 'report card,' which he claims is unfair and political." Read the editorial summary of his record or check his voting record to form your own opinion.
[Editorial] [Harris voting record]
Political scientist, Harry Basehart: First District contest is an interesting one
The Sunday Star, May 25, 2008
"Getting the votes of the 'Gilchrest Republicans' could be the key to victory for candidates in Maryland's 1st congressional district. [Campaign Manager] Meekins said Harris' views are in contrast to those of Kratovil, who Meekins says want to follow the 'tax and spend' policies of Gov. Martin O'Malley."
"Kratovil said Harris is a right of center extremist who labels anyone who doesn't agree with him--whether a Democrat or Republican--a liberal. 'The vast majority of the voters in this district are moderate,' said Kratovil."
"Kratovil said Harris has 'zero credibility' when it comes to labeling Kratovil a liberal machine politician. Voters should check the records of the two men and the policies they advocate, said Kratovil. Anyone who looks at his background as a prosecutor and his views on the Iraq war and immigration will realize Harris' accusations aren't based on facts, said Kratovil."
"Kratovil said Harris has benefited from more than $1 million in contributions from the conservative advocacy group, the Club for Growth. Kratovil said the Club for Growth is an extremist special interest group."
Fight in the First
Baltimore Sun, May 7, 2008
Political Science Professor Thomas Schaller of UMBC states that "the wild card in the race could be Mr. Gilchrest, and there are hints that he is sympathetic toward Mr. Kratovil. Lynn Caligiuri, the Kratovil campaign's finance director, is a former campaign and finance director for Mr. Gilchrest, and the wife of Tony Caligiuri, the congressman 's chief of staff."
"So the question is: Can a strong, Eastern Shore Democrat, running in what should be a somewhat favorable Democratic cycle--against a fractious Republican Party with an Ehrlich-backed, Baltimore-area nominee--make a contest of it? 'The Western Shore already has seven members of Congress,' says Mr. Kratovil, who is counting on his local roots to give him a boost. 'The Eastern Shore should have at least one.'"
[Article]
Thursday, May 29
Frank's Birthday!
Have you made a contribution yet? Have you sent a story about Frank?
Saturday, May 31
Cape St. Claire Parade & Strawberry Festival
10:00 parade and 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. festival at 1223 River Bay Road in Cape St. Claire.
Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1
Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival
Noon - 6:00 p.m. Terrapin Park on Kent Island. Visit their website for details.
Sunday, June 1
Wicomico County DCC and Club Dinner
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Chef Fred's Steakhouse, Salisbury.
Monday, June 2
Roland Terrace Democratic Club
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Mathews Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Frank Kratovil to speak.
Saturday, June 7
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center Wade-In
10:00 - 3:00 p.m. at CBEC in Grasonville. Remarks by Frank Kratovil.
Sunday, June 8
QAC Dem Club Picnic
2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at 4H Park in Centreville. Frank Kratovil is keynote speaker.
Saturday, June 14
Cypress Festival
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Cypress Park in Pocomoke City.
Sunday, June 15
Fire Convention Memorial Service
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Convention Center in Ocean City.
Monday, June 16
Fire Convention Opening Ceremony
8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Convention Center in Ocean City.
Wednesday, June 18
Fire Convention Special Program
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. on the boardwalk in Ocean City.
Saturday, June 21
Women for Kratovil
10:00 a.m. - noon in Oxford.
Saturday, June 21
Delmarva Chicken Festival
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Salisbury Center on N. Salisbury Blvd. in Salisbury.
Kratovil poll
PolitickerMD, May 23, 2008
In a recent survey "Harris was favored by 43 percent of respondents, while Kratovil garnered 34 percent, with 23 percent undecided." The 9-point difference in name recognition is not surprising in light of Harris' many television ads during the primary, while Kratovil has not yet run one. "Kratovil, however, led by a margin of 45-38 among the 25 percent of respondents who recognized [both] the candidate's names."
[Article]
Democratic raid on House seats may not be over
Washington Post, May 18, 2008
"With the winds of change blowing directly into Republicans' faces" Maryland's First Congressional District race is one of five races being carefully watched.
[Article]
PACs played large role in Gilchrest defeat
The Capital, May 6, 2008
"Political action committees [PACs] played a large financial role in the February primary election defeat of nine-term U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest. About $727,000, or 74 percent, of the total independent expenditures in the campaign came from a single organization supporting Republican nominee and State Sen. Andy Harris: the Club for Growth, a conservative group based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for tax cuts, lower government spending, privatization of Social Security and expanded free trade."
"Individual contributions sent through the Club for Growth also accounted for about 25 percent of Dr. Harris' $1.5 million fundraising total. The money helped the Harris campaign reach more people, said Chris Meekins, the campaign manager.
"Federal law allows PACs to spend unlimited amounts for a candidate in the form of television advertisements, direct mail and other initiatives, as long as they do not coordinate directly with the actual campaign. Such activity was limited to the republican side of the ballot in the 1st Congressional District. Counting money spent for Dr. Harris and against State Sen. E.J. Pipkin and Mr. Gilchrest, Club For Growth alone shelled out $727,000."
There are lots of ways you can help the Kratovil for Congress campaign, including door-to-door literature drops, phoning voters, and attending/supporting events. For opportunity details click "Ways I Can Help" below.
Thank you for your support!
Copyright 2008 Kratovil for Congress Committee. All rights reserved.
The purpose of Campaign Notes is to provide current information on the Kratovil for Congress Campaign.
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