Posted on 12/12/2006 4:17:12 PM PST by Norman Bates
Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. yesterday defended a recent string of legal opinions refuted by the courts that have cast a shadow over his exit from state Democratic politics after 47 years.
"If we thought we were wrong, we would have never, never, never approved it," Mr. Curran, 75, told The Washington Times. "If we see the legislature is going down the wrong road, we say so. We stop them or help them change."
However, Mr. Curran's legal advice supported the Democrat-controlled legislature's moves to force Wal-Mart to pay for employee health benefits, to fire the utility-regulating Public Service Commission (PSC) and to institute early voting -- laws overturned by the courts for violating federal law, state law and the state constitution, respectively.
The attorney general dismissed critics who say the rash of bad advice reflects politicization or anti-Republican bias in the office, which in each case sided with the General Assembly against Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., the state's first Republican governor in 36 years.
"Early voting is a good idea. Getting more people to pay the health benefits for Marylanders is a good idea. Getting professional persons on the PSC is a good idea," he said. "These are all good ideas."
In a wide-ranging interview at his Baltimore office, Mr. Curran said he welcomed Democrats' return to almost complete control of state government in the election last month.
"If everybody is on the same team, they can march in lock step toward the kind of government that the people want," he said, adding that he did not see any "pitfalls" to one-party rule.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Father-in-law of Michael O'Malley, the Maryland governor-elect. I've met Curran several times. He's not an impressive fellow.
I've never been impressed with Father Joe.
Never forget what he did to Linda Tripp.
And never forget that his daughter is married to Michael O'Malley.
'Pod.
Curran on bi-partisan politics:
"If everybody is on the same team, they can march in lock step toward the kind of government that the people want....If everybody works for the same purpose, you are better off than this tug and pull."
"I don't like this thing that was going on in Washington....Even that is going to change to some extent. Of course, the president is still George Bush, but at least there will be some checks and balances on him, too."
Michael O'Malley? You mean Boy Governor-elect Martin O'Malley. You were probably thinking Michael Steele will be governor. I agree. :-)
Better know as M.O'M.
He screwed over Baltimore City Firefighters every chance he got.
Maryland is going to have a rough 4 years with this guy.
Or senility.
"The kind of government people want"??? There is no end to their do-goodery or their need for my wallet.
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