Star of Ehrlich anti-crime ad has political, criminal past (MD GOP Gov

[savemefromdumbya]

Maryland GOP governor Ehrlich shoots himself in foot. Not only is he running a campaign of outright lies but this is typical of how low GOP will get using a person with a criminal record to complain about crime in Baltimore?

By Lynn Anderson
Sun reporter
Originally published October 19, 2006

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s latest campaign ad portrays Baltimore resident Larry Gaines as a parent-advocate who worries about schools and crime. Gaines goes on to describe himself as a lifelong Democrat who has decided to "be bold" and vote for the Republican incumbent.

But there's much more to Larry Gaines. Not only did Gaines campaign for Ehrlich's first gubernatorial bid in 2002, but he readily concedes that he voted for Ehrlich. State campaign records show that he received a $200 payment from Democrats for Ehrlich four years ago.

While Gaines criticizes the crime-fighting record of Ehrlich's Democratic opponent, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, he has had his own brushes with the law.

During an interview, Gaines said that he is a former drug addict with a criminal record that includes a theft charge that earned him a three-year prison stint in the 1990s. State court records also show that he was charged with breaking and entering in Baltimore County in 1985 and that his attorney at the time was William H. Murphy Jr., a Baltimore defense attorney who has appeared in an Ehrlich radio ad. According to court records, Gaines received probation in the case.

The TV ad, which has been getting heavy air play in the Baltimore market, does not mention that Gaines is a full-time city schools employee and a part-time bail bondsman. In the latter role, Gaines arranged bail for clients that have included two alleged drug dealers and a man who police say tried to have sex with his 14-year-old niece. The men missed their initial trial dates and the city had to post judgments against Gaines in an effort to collect the money, an amount that in one of the cases totaled $50,000.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/elections/bal-md.gaines19oct19,0,2469863.story?coll=bal-home-headlines
:popcorn:

[SaveElmer]

1. All the Ehrich ads in the DC burbs have his Lt. Gov candidate in them...

No Ehrich...and his running mate happens to be blind. I haven't seen one Ehrich ad with Ehrlich in them...

[savemefromdumbya]

2. that's strange!

[bertha katzenengel]

3. So what? A man with a criminal past can't speak out about crime?

Why didn't the B'More Sun leave this alone? It would've been a scoop if they'd learned he'd been a lifelong registered Republican. The only contradiction I see is in the "be bold" statement.

As for his work as a bail bondsman - how is that any more odious than the work of a defense attorney?

But worst is claiming a man with a criminal history is a hypocrite for saying he's concerned about crime issues.

That this man is in a campaign ad is a ridiculous thing for which to attack a candidate.

[MADem]

5. Did you read the full article? That's not the whole story

The fact that a guy with a criminal record (NOT disclosed in the commercial, of COURSE) is whining about crime is simply IRONIC:

During an interview, Gaines said that he is a former drug addict with a criminal record that includes a theft charge that earned him a three-year prison stint in the 1990s. State court records also show that he was charged with breaking and entering in Baltimore County in 1985 and that his attorney at the time was William H. Murphy Jr., a Baltimore defense attorney who has appeared in an Ehrlich radio ad. According to court records, Gaines received probation in the case.

That he sounds like a "useful tool" there isn't really surprising. There's LIES in the mix, as well. IMO, if you vote for a Republican once, that's one thing--more than once, you're a Republican, no matter how much you play games with your party registration. And when you LIE about it, you're hiding something, like you were PAID to say that shit, and you're on the take:

But there's much more to Larry Gaines. Not only did Gaines campaign for Ehrlich's first gubernatorial bid in 2002, but he readily concedes that he voted for Ehrlich. State campaign records show that he received a $200 payment from Democrats for Ehrlich four years ago.

Shareese N. DeLeaver, an Ehrlich campaign spokeswoman, defended the ad, even though it suggests that Nov. 7 will be the first time Gaines, a registered Democrat, will vote for a Republican.

"Any time a Democrat in a Democratic state decides to support a Republican, it is a bold move," said DeLeaver. "Even if it's a second time. Even more so if it's the second time. It means that he voted for change the first time and that he's pleased with the governor's performance."

And then, there's this:
Gaines has been credited with helping to fix drinking fountains that dispensed lead-tainted water at some schools and has fought efforts to increase class sizes. In 2003, he was appointed to represent the city on the Maryland Parent Advisory Council, and this year was made a member of the state Superintendent's Family Involvement Council.

Mark my words, if the GOP wins, watch this guy get a LUCRATIVE patronage job.

[savemefromdumbya]

6. are you a GOP person

[brentspeak]

4. k & r

:kick:

[FreeStateDemocrat]

7. Ehrlich's campaign manager is the same SOB who smeared Max Cleland in GA.