update -as a direct result of the false charges made against Baltimore mayor and gubernatorial hopeful Martin O'Malley, Ehrlich may suffer a blow to his likeability ratings throughout Maryland (particularly among Maryland Democrats who have a 2 to 1 voter registration advantage over Republicans). whether this is going to be lasting is yet to be seen, but it doesn't bode well when he runs against whichever Democrat wins his party's nomination:
Uproar Puts Ehrlich's Likability On the Line
By April Witt
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, February 13, 2005; Page A01
Lofty ideals -- honor, service, accomplishment -- were on the agenda when some of the University of Maryland's most august backers gathered at the State House recently to recognize two alumni donating some of the largest gifts in the school's history.
One of the honorees quoted Aristotle. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) gave a pep talk and joked about sports.
"The campus is on a roll," the governor said as he flashed his trademark smile. "The only thing I can see that's a problem on this campus right now is you need some defensive rebounds."
Ehrlich, son of a car salesman, rose from a modest Baltimore County rowhouse to the State House as an amiable jock, the sunny, wholesome and likable Everyman: Gov. Bob.
Less obvious -- but equally defining -- is his intense competitiveness. The former Ivy League middle linebacker still relishes pounding opponents on any field and makes no apologies for that. "It's a full-contact sport here," Ehrlich said recently. "The bottom line is the bottom line: What scores?"
The governor made the remarks just days before news broke Wednesday that one of his longtime aides had discussed on the Internet efforts to spread rumors that Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, a Democrat considering challenging Ehrlich in the 2006 gubernatorial race, had an extramarital affair.
O'Malley said the rumors were false, vicious and orchestrated to sink his candidacy. Ehrlich responded by forcing his aide, Joseph Steffen, to resign and vowing that he personally had nothing to do with spreading the rumors. Democratic lawmakers are demanding an independent investigation.
The controversy has the potential to land an unprecedented blow to Ehrlich's most valuable political asset: his likable persona. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19737-2005Feb12.html...i hope it does.
