BALTIMORE – Calling him “effective, smart and compassionate,” President George W. Bush endorsed Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Ehrlich in his race for governor Wednesday, a move expected to bring in plenty of cash, but fewer vital votes from the opposing party.
The president arrived fashionably late at the Hyatt Regency here, fresh from a Rose Garden appearance, where he touted a deal with congressional leaders on a resolution supporting U.S. action against Iraq.
About 1,200 supporters came to see the nation’s top Republican, paying $1,250 per person. Tickets to the private party afterward was cost $4,000 each.
The event was expected to raise about $1.6 million for Ehrlich’s race against Democrat Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
The crowd, including a few Democratic Ehrlich backers, roared as Bush entered the room.
“I think they like you,” Ehrlich said.
Ehrlich spoke briefly on stage with the president, joshed a bit and even took a shot at Bush’s predecessor, Bill Clinton.
“I have a 4-year-old and he used to cry a lot when your predecessor came on TV,” Ehrlich said to Bush.
Bush touted Ehrlich’s voting record on education, the economy and the disabled.
“Education is to the state what national defense is to the federal government,” Bush said, an allusion to his victory on the Iraq resolution. Leaders of both parties are predicting easy and swift passage for the deal, which would authorize Bush to use force against the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
“I’m here because Bob Ehrlich is someone who wants to unite this state and not divide it,” Bush said. “You need someone who can make tough decisions and doesn’t need a poll or a focus group to tell him what to do.”
The president urged the crowd to spread the positive word about the congressman and to encourage others to vote for him in November.
“There is no question in my mind, when elected, that this man will make Maryland a safer, stronger and better state,” Bush said.
The president took time to endorse his own activities in the White House concerning terrorism, education, permanent tax cuts and Iraq, urging the Senate to quickly follow the House’s lead in supporting the use of force in ousting Hussein.
“I don’t need rules and regulations,” Bush said.
Outside the hotel, Ehrlich supporters gathered to cheer their candidate to people driving by. They hoped to catch a glimpse of the president.
“I think it lends a lot of credibility to Ehrlich that the president is here to support him,” said Jim Pirgrossi of Baltimore, one of the sidewalk supporters.
The Ehrlich campaign hopes Bush’s visit, in addition to raising funds, helps snare support from Democratic and independent votes.
Recent polls show that 66 percent of Maryland voters have a favorable opinion of the president.
“If it brings in money, which it will, it helps the Ehrlich campaign,” said Allan Lichtman, political analyst and chairman of the history department at the American University. “But it doesn’t go beyond that.”
Bush’s endorsement probably won’t attract many Democrats and independents for Ehrlich, Lichtman said, adding, “And you can’t win with Republican votes alone.” – 30 –