When House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of southern Maryland took the stage at the Rep. Ben Cardin rally in College Park Wednesday, a few people in the crowd yelled out: “Speaker Hoyer! Speaker Hoyer!”
Hoyer, a Terps alum, didn?t acknowledge the accolade, but in an interview on primary night, he did predict the Democrats would take control of the House, picking up 20, maybe 30 seats. He also repeated his oft-made pledge that if that happened, he would not challenge House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi for the job as speaker. He?d settle for being House majority leader.
In either case, the new speaker would be a Maryland native. Pelosi, nee D?Alesandro, grew up in Baltimore, daughter of Thomas D?Alesandro Jr., the mayor and congressman and sister to Thomas D?Alesandro III, who also served as mayor.
Hillary vs. Rudy
Hillary Rodham Clinton helped Maryland Dems raise, at most, $100,000 Monday night. In July, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani helped Ehrlich raise $400,000. On Tuesday night, a GOP dinner helped the state party raise $750,000.
What gives ? or doesn?t give? I asked Democratic Party Chair Terry Lierman.
“It?s not news that they have more money than us,” Lierman said.
“Republicans always have more money than Democrats. We have the issues and volunteers.”
1960s Revival
The Kevin Zeese ? rhymes with peace ? “unity convention” Tuesday night was like a 1960s teach-in, replete with poets, long-haired peaceniks, chanting street protesters ? all two of them ? and Ralph Nader, the corporate scold who made his name in the 60s but wears his 72 years pretty well.
“We have 100 kinds of toothpaste in the grocery store. We should have more than two choices when we go to vote,” said Patsy Allen, co-chair of the Green Party.
How about some really green toothpaste, hold the extra whitener.
Len Lazarick is the state house bureau chief of The Examiner, he can be reached at [email protected]
