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The Maryland Democratic Party’s in house motto must be “we just make stuff up.” In playing the lobbyist card against Bob Ehrlich that is exactly what they are doing.

But there’s a flaw in the Democrats’ argument. Ehrlich is not exactly a lobbyist…

Travis Tazelaar, executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party, acknowledges he has no evidence that Ehrlich has been lobbying, but argued that “if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s gotta be a duck.” He called Ehrlich’s description of his work at Womble “murky” and “shady.”

Added Isaac Salazar, the state Democratic Party’s spokesman: “Ehrlich was a member of Congress. There are lots of phone calls he can make. It’s hard to believe his activity stopped once a client came in the door.”

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How does one debate such unassailable logic?

Seriously Maryland Democrats you know your party has issues when the Baltimore Sun—let me repeat—the Baltimore Sun points out your operatives have a truthiness problem.

Such absurdity requires “a level of skill and professionalism…that died with the Creigh Deeds campaign.”

But wait, there’s more:

Ehrlich would have plenty of ammunition if he decides to push back. In Annapolis, the highest-paid lobbyists – those with the most access to lawmakers and whose voices are heard far more than average citizens – are Democrats.

We’ve been saying the same thing for the last two months, about time the Sun finally caught on instead of regurgitating of Democratic talking points as news.

Of course, this douchewellian strategy becomes ever more apparent when you account for the fact that Tazelaar and Salazar’s jobs are funded in part from lobbyist contributions to the Maryland Democratic Party.

According to the state campaign finance database 83% of party’s administrative funds come from business entities—you know those same evil corporations Maryland Democrats love to vilify, but have no qualms about accepting their money. Over the last three years, the top two lobbying firms in Annapolis, Rifkin, Livingston, Levitan & Silver, and Alexander & Cleaver gave the Democratic State Central Committee over $60,000.

But let’s give young masters Tazelarr and Salazar some credit they know the fastest way to make a buck in Maryland isn’t entrepreneurship, but through the crony capitalism of Maryland Democrats.

Like Josh White, they too can rake in the dough working for Rifkin, Livingston, Levitan & Silver. Why bother with regulation—it’s for suckers—when then can be like former party chair Wayne Rogers and dial up Mike Miller and disgraced lobbyist Gerard Alexander to get around the Public Service Commission. Ethics? Fuggedaboutit! If Michael Cryor can line his pockets through Sheila Dixon’s corruption in Baltimore why can’t they do it?

Really, why go through the hassle of starting your own business only to be taxed out of the state for being successful.



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