Free Republic

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and his aides went on the offensive yesterday, asserting that longtime aide Joseph Steffen acted alone in propagating rumors about Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and calling accusations that Steffen participated in a purge of Democrats in state agencies "a lie." Ehrlich (R) said he was not concerned about a possible investigation into Steffen's activities by the General Assembly. "Let that investigation go where that investigation leads," he said at a news conference. "We welcome it." Ehrlich also said "everybody fully understands" that Steffen acted alone. The governor ousted Steffen on Tuesday night, shortly after...

The Web site began as a sort of Internet boutique for like-minded conservatives and libertarians, suspicious of federal power and angry at President Bill Clinton. Started in 1997 by a reclusive California conservative, freerepublic.com saw its membership blossom with Clinton's impeachment and the election of George W. Bush. Attention to the site reached a zenith last fall, when a "freeper" -- the group's moniker for its bloggers -- first discussed flaws in documents CBS News used in a report critical of Bush's National Guard service. ---Snip--- One participant working under the handle MD4BUSH, whose identity is unknown, drew Steffen into...

The political operative forced to resign by Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) for spreading rumors about the mayor of Baltimore was also at the center of an orchestrated attempt to purge the state bureaucracy of ardent Democrats, top lawmakers said yesterday. Democratic legislative leaders, who have already promised a probe into the role that longtime Ehrlich aide Joseph Steffen played in circulating rumors about Mayor Martin O'Malley (D), said yesterday that they also will examine covert efforts by Steffen and other Ehrlich loyalists to target hundreds of state employees for dismissal. "These are voiceless people, many of whom...

When the man who described himself as "the Prince of Darkness" arrived at the Maryland Department of Human Resources two years ago and placed a Grim Reaper figurine on his desk, longtime employees were baffled. Though Joseph Steffen had no apparent role in the agency, he would attend meetings, conduct interviews with employees and make extensive notes on a legal pad. Then they started getting fired. ---Snip--- He was a loyal soldier of Ehrlich's who worked on campaigns for the governor dating back two decades, and who took on a key role in both Ehrlich's transition team and administration, according...

The conservative reporter who asked President Bush a loaded question at a news conference last month resigned yesterday after liberal bloggers uncovered his real name and raised questions about his background. Jeff Gannon, who had been writing for the Web sites Talon News and GOPUSA, is actually James Dale Guckert, 47, and has been linked to online domain addresses with sexually provocative names. He has been under scrutiny since asking Bush how he could work with Senate Democratic leaders "who seem to have divorced themselves from reality." The information about Gannon was posted on the liberal sites Daily Kos, Atrios...

Burning Manure Pile Has Neighbors Fuming 2 hours, 1 minute ago Strange News - AP MILFORD, Neb. - A large pile of composting manure burning for almost two months has neighbors upset and state officials looking for a way to put it out. Concerned about emissions, the state's Department of Environmental Quality will make its recommendation by the end of the week, said spokesman Rich Webster. David Dickinson, who owns and operates Midwest Feeding Co. near this town about 20 miles west of Lincoln, said he has tried to spread the pile out and douse it with water but the...

Here are some post-election comments from Michael F. Moore: THEY say that in life you get what you deserve. Well, today America has deservedly got a lawless cowboy to lead them further into carnage and isolation and the unreserved contempt of most of the rest of the world. This once-great country has pulled up its drawbridge for another four years and stuck a finger up to the billions of us forced to share the same air. And in doing so, it has shown itself to be a fearful, backward-looking and very small nation. This should have been the day when...

Kerry 49% Bush 48% From Kerry 50% Bush 48% yesterday...

The Washington Post's Misstatement 1 ($900 Billion In Taxes) The Washington Post's Misstatement On "Raise Taxes By At Least $900 Billion." "On March 11, the Bush team released a spot saying that in his first 100 days in office Kerry would 'raise taxes by at least $900 billion.' Kerry has said no such thing; the number was developed by the Bush campaign's calculations of Kerry's proposals." (Dana Milbank And Jim VandeHei, "From Bush, Unprecedented Negativity," The Washington Post, 5/31/04) The Facts On Kerry And $900 Billion In Taxes Kerry Promised First 100 Days Proposal To Congress Would Be Health Care...