Fired Staffer Called Ehrlich's 'Hatchet Man' (WaPo Lurking; FR Mentioned)

Washington Post ^ | 02/10/05 | Matthew Mosk

[conservative in nyc]

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 to numerous sources and Steffen's Web postings.

Steffen, 45, did not answer calls or respond to visitors at his apartment near Baltimore. But in a brief interview Tuesday and in postings on the conservative Web site freerepublic.com, he described his background and embraced a reputation for hardball politics.

Steffen said he has known the governor since 1986, the year Ehrlich (R) ran his first campaign, for the Maryland House of Delegates.

Gerry Brewster, 47, a Baltimore County lawyer who was Ehrlich's Democratic opponent in the 1994 race, said Steffen was at the candidate's side throughout much of the campaign. And his role was widely known. "He was Bob Ehrlich's dirty tricks operative," Brewster said. "He was the hatchet man."

[conservative in nyc]

This was on page A14 of today's Washington Post. The main front page Washington Post article was once again on the front page. The Free Republic thread is here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1340013/posts

[conservative in nyc]

PING!

By the way -- Hi Washington Post and Matthew Mosk! Since you're lurking, we'd really like to know how you got your hands on NCPAC's e-mails, and what they actually say, instead of excerpts that may or may not be taken out of context. We know you've mischaracterized NCPAC's posts here - he didn't start any rumors, only commented on rumors posted by somebody else.

That doesn't excuse NCPAC's bad judgment, for which he has already resigned. But your newspaper seems to be making a mountain out of a molehill. Why?

[MJY1288]

If you ask me... I think FR is under attack as well. First Buckhead gets raked over the coals, now we see Jeff Gannon and NCPAC getting the same treatment. I think the MSM is trying to label FR as a bunch of kooks

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

PING!

[Salamander]

Impossible.
We all know how much liberals *love* free speech.
[/dripping sarcasm]...;)

[Aria]

Interestingly enough....today my son told me he does not want to talk to me ever again because I "am a freeper" and that freepers are " the most disgusting, vile, racist assholes". Because this story appeared on Drudge I think this whole thing with the rumors spread (supposedly) by a freeper has something to do with this. My son is serious BTW. Unintended consequences.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Here, please.

[doug from upland]

Sorry to hear about your son.

[sam_whiskey]

Something I don't understand---even if there's some merit to any of this (doesn't sound like there is)---why would a Governor even care enough to slime some mayor?? And why would anyone care if he did?? Isn't that kind of small potatoes??

[sam_whiskey]

Good grief, how old is your son??

[Aria]

35. He lives in San Francisco...his girlfriend makes him look like a moderate (I've heard)...he made a lot of money in Yahoo....very independent. Goes to burning man...
It hurts.

[Salamander]

I'm very sorry to hear that your son is being unreasonable and irrational.
[it's hard being "evil incarnate", isn't it?]
I've had 2 -very- dear friends do the same to thing to me, even though *I* knew throughout the years of our friendship that they were "liberals".
Both of them viciously verbally attacked me within mere moments of "dicovering" I was a Republican.
Since they'd both adored me for well over 4 years, I have no idea what "changed" about me, in those mere moments.

I have faith that your son will regret his hasty words sooner than you'd imagine.
You are and always will be his *Mom*.
He'll remember that when he's done pitching his hissy fit....:)

[Heatseeker]

Well next time you talk to your son, you can give him the URL of my FR home page which shows a "disgusting, vile, racist a**hole" supporting an African-American woman for President. ;)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

But your newspaper seems to be making a mountain out of a molehill. Why?

That would be an example of a rhetorical question, class. : )

[Aria]

If he only knew how many of us were excited about the Iraqi elections....I personally stayed up that night as long as I could and talked to Allegra, and how many of us, like you, support Condi. I really am not sure where he came up with all this. He did post here a couple of times and was trashed, he said. I have no idea what his posts were.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I know it's little consolation to you now, but he'll regret his choice someday.

If your son wants to see hate and bigotry, he should check out democraticunderground.com. Freepers have nothing on those people in the anger department.

[John Lenin]

Stay safe bump

[ApesForEvolution]

Hey, Wash POST: Which finger am I waving at you?!

[ApesForEvolution]

How old/young?