Posted on 12/13/2002 2:51:58 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. became the first Republican to win since 1966 by sweeping Baltimore's increasingly conservative suburbs, the Eastern Shore, and Southern and Western Maryland.
The question now being examined in both political parties is: Does this represent a permanent realignment?
Certainly Parris N. Glendening's election campaigns in 1994 and 1998 demonstrated that the Democratic electoral base has come to rest almost entirely on the Washington suburbs and in Baltimore city. He squeaked to victory in '94, winning just those three subdivisions, and at the height of the economic boom won only three more counties in his re-election bid.
Taylor was the most vociferous (and sometimes only) voice in favor of a "One Maryland" political philosophy, which held that the entire state should move forward together on issues. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that there are at least two Marylands, one liberal, urbanized and racially diverse -- comprising Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Baltimore city -- and the other conservative, white, suburban and rural -- comprising everything else.
In his first days in office, Busch has decided to consolidate power in the House in that Democratic base. His committee chairmen will be entirely drawn from the Big Three subdivisions, and will include two women and two African-Americans, vital elements of the Democratic coalition. In addition, he has disbanded the committee that was chaired by John F. Wood Jr., a conservative Democrat from St. Mary's County.
(Excerpt) Read more at gazette.net ...
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