Gov. Ehrlich Chooses Running Mate

WTOP on-line ^ | June 28, 2006 | no byline

[sitetest]

WASHINGTON -- Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich has chosen a running mate, WTOP Political Analyst Mark Plotkin has learned.

Ehrlich will choose Kristen Cox, the current Secretary of the Department of Disabilities, as his lieutenant governor. Cox, who is almost completely blind, will be named by the governor in Annapolis on Thursday.

Cox, 36, served in the Bush administration in the Department of Education in 2001. She lives in Towson with her husband and two sons.

Incumbent Lt. Governor Michael Steele is currently running for U.S. Senate.

Ehrlich and Cox will face Democrats Martin O'Malley and Anthony Brown in the November election.

[dmw]

I appreciate you clarifying that sitetest. It was unclear to me from your comments, but now it is very clear. Thank you.

[Vision]

Ok, but Dole and Cleland were injured in the line of duty.

There has never been a blind governor, but apparently lots of folks believe this lady will be the first. Why they have this instinct, I don't know. Maybe she is about to turn history on it's head. If she doesn't, and we lose power because of a poor choice, I reserve the right to slap each of you upside the head.

[Vision]

Does reality threaten you?

[sitetest]

Dear dmw,

Hey, I couldn't care less that she's blind. I only real care about her politics. If she's a good conservative, then maybe I might vote for the pseudo-Republican again. After all, she could succeed him in the case of..., or she could run in her own right in 2010 or beyond.

But I attribute little that is good to the motivations of Mr. Ehrlich. I think that to him, she's a twofer, little more.


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[dakine]

Yeah, that's what I typed...

[Celtjew Libertarian]

First off, she's only running for Lieutentant Governor. Secondly, if she does become governor, she may be the first blind governor, but we have had at least two blind Senators (neither as a result of battle injuries, BTW.)

She may be a poor choice, but not because she's blind.

[Vision]

I saw this picture on another thread and it makes my point.

Do you remember in the '04 election when the Kerry camp and some of the press were upset that the picture of Kerry in this suit had gotten out. Image is major in politics, and all I've tried to say here is that a disability, while it cannot stop someone who is driven, does not help a candidate. Therefore I don't see this as a smart political move, in about as tough a reelection campaign as you get.

[dmw]

I don't really see what your question has to do with anything. Reality has never threatened me. If you think a person is not capable of being a Lt Governor because she can't see, then I don't think you and I are going to be able to have an honest debate about this. People are not limited to succeeding just because some part on their body doesn't fully function. Just ask Jim Robinson. So, back to my earlier question to you, do you believe all other handicaps disqualify people from being a politician, or just blind people?

[sitetest]

Dear Vision,

I can see the point you're trying to make, but I don't know...

I wouldn't be surprised if the Maryland Party of Satan (POS) would try to make something of her blindness ("Ehrlich picks a running mate without vision!"), but although I don't think they'd get dinged for it, neither do I think it would resonate with the public.

We'll have to see what her story is. But the bottom line is that in our current cultural milieu, I think there's a lot more upside to this appointment (at least cynically speaking about perceptions) than downside. I think it may be fairly easy to develop the story of how she overcame adversity to do great things, so on and so forth.

If the lady is at all credible, I think it'll be tough for the spin to break against her.

On the other hand, if we find out that she's little more than an Ehrlich crony, I think folks will explicitly point out the governor's cynicism.


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[dmw]

Yep, that's what you typed. Your comment says an awful lot about you. SAD. Maybe that's why you've been unemployed for 25 years, no?

Do you feel the same way towards all people who have a handicap of some sort, or just blind people?

[JohnnyZ]

I'm just waiting for you to tell us your Final Solution for blind people.

[JohnnyZ]

I took dakine's comment as regarding the PC department the new LG nominee headed.

[dakine]

Exactly...

[dakine]

Lemons?

[dmw]

I don't want to assume anything here, and if I'm wrong I invite Vision to correct me. I wonder if the answer to your question, for people who think like Vision is, that perhaps they believe that blind people (and maybe other handicapped people too) should just stay home and and not be a nuisance to the public. Perhaps it is better for these "kinds of people" to just collect their disability checks and sit on their rumps all day. That's just my guess, but I look forward to what Vision has to say about your great question.

[dmw]

Oh, so you feel that way about lemons too? OK, well thanks for explaining that to me. Clear as mud!

[dakine]

Who types for you?

[Vision]

I think all blind people should go to JonnyZ's and dmw's home, and hold their hands as they go through life. Obviously they have demons in their heads that make them scared.

[alarm rider]

Mostly, I think the PC knee-jerk "conservatives" here are missing the point. As a resident of Maryland, and one who voted for Bob, perhaps we can clarify the point.

Ehrlich, to those of you NOT residents of Maryland has been mostly a dud. He talked a good game, and he put Mike Steele up as Lt. Gov., which was a good move, but it was, of course a political one. While it was political, Steele is a very good politician and a strong conservative and despite the blatant "I have a black running mate" deal from Bob, Steele was and is a stand up and stand alone guy.

He is doing it again with this lady. Now the fact that she is "almost blind" may send your PC "kumbaya feelers" into fits, but truthfully, Ehrlich is in trouble and this is a very transparent attempt to appeal to "touchy-feely" democrats who are on the fence because O'Malley is such a twit.

Now, you may not like the truth, but there it is-so fire away.

[sitetest]

Dear alarm rider,

Excellent analysis!

Maybe we should vote for Mr. Ehrlich once more because he sometimes does the right things (take on Mr. Steele as his 2002 running mate) for evil reasons?


sitetest