Maryland Politics

The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill Friday that would provide $25 million a year in state money for stem cell research, a science that proponents say holds great promise for debilitating conditions but whose funding has been limited by President Bush on the federal level.

Read More:

Md. House Passes Stem Cell Funding Bill (Post, March 4)

Washington Post staff writer John Wagner was online Monday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m. ET to examine current legislation at the Maryland General Assembly, which passed the House on Friday.

The transcript follows.

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John Wagner: Welcome to a chat on Maryland politics. It should be a busy week in Annapolis. In the Senate, Republicans are promising a filibuster of legislation authorizing state funding of stem cell research. I'm happy to field questions on that, other legislative issues and the busy 2006 election season ahead.

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Baltimore, Md.: Will there be a filibuster in the Senate over the stem cell research legislation? And if yes, how consequential will that filibuster be? A lot of us still in remember how, back in 1990, something similar happened there in the Senate over the abortion issue and it proved to be both drawn-out and fairly ugly to watch. Thanks for reading.

John Wagner: All signs do point to a filibuster, and it's quite possible it could continue for quite awhile. Supporters of the stem cell bill are confident they have enough votes to pass the legislation. That requires a simple majority, or 24. But they may still be one vote shy of the three-fifths margin required to cut off debate. That requires 29 votes in the Maryland Senate.

This is an issue about which both sides are impassioned, so the debate should be lively. Supporters will tout the promise the research holds for Parkinson's disease, juvenile diabetes and other conditions. Opponents will raise moral issues; they see embryonic stem cell research as tantamount to abortion because it involves the destruction of a human embryo.

The bill has already been amended to allow for both embryonic work and work on adult stem cells, which is less controversial. It's likely the bill will be further amended in an effort to secure the votes needed for cloture.

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Prince George's county, Md.: Thanks for hosting this chat. I wish you would have these Maryland chats more often.

I am one of the zillion Maryland voters who is disgusted with Comptroller Schaefer. I am glad to hear that he has a primary challenger. I look forward to learning more about Peter Franchot. I'm curious--is Franchot a viable candidate who has a chance. Can he run a big enough campaign to beat Schaefer?

Please say yes--I won't vote for Schaefer again.

Thanks.

John Wagner: In the past, the conventional wisdom has been that Schaefer would be impossible to topple, given his near-universal name recognition and his long run in Maryland politics. The 84-year-old comptroller is a former mayor of Baltimore and a former governor of Maryland.

This episode does seem to be resonating, however. Whether it will be enough to cost Schaefer his office remains unclear, though. Franchot, a delegate from Takoma Park, argues that he is the only Democrat in the race, pointing to the cozy relationship that Schaefer has had with Gov. Ehrlich, a Republican, in recent years.

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Duncan v. O'Malley: I read that some Dems--probably O'Malley supporters--want Doug Duncan to drop out of the primary race. But aren't both Duncan and O'Malley ahead of Ehrlich in the polls? If so, what's the worry? Why not let the primary run its course and let the candidate with the most votes in September represent the party?

Haven't the insiders learned from the last election that coronating a candidate without a primary isn't necessarily a good thing? Unless I'm missing something.

John Wagner: There have been polls showing either O'Malley or Duncan could beat Ehrlich. The margin is somewhat larger when O'Malley is matched up head to head with Ehrlich.

The fear among some Democrats is that the nominee will emerge from the primary with battle scars and little money. Ehrlich, meanwhile, is sitting on a large war chest. Other Democrats do argue that a tested nominee will match up better against Ehrlich in the fall.

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Annapolis, Md.: Senate President Mike Miller's comments on Friday about Senator Andy Harris were very undignified (his comments tried to imply that Harris was off his rocker when the bill came to the floor changed from how it passed committee.) Were Miller's comments indicative of how the climate in the General Assembly has dissolved into name-calling and uncooth behavior in the name of partisan politics? Should Miller apologize?

John Wagner: The comments of both Miller and Harris offered a preview of things to come on the emotional stem cell debate. Miller has a hard-earned reputation for saying what is on his mind, and it seems unlikely he would apologize.

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Ending the filibuster: So, how would a filibuster end? Would it be Miller or Ehrlich that twists the arms.

And, for those of us who are not insiders, what kind of deal gets offered to someone to get them to change sides.

And what kind of punishment is delivered to those who stand in the way on this?

John Wagner: There are a number of ways a filibuster could end. Miller and Democrats who support the stem cell bill will lean heavily on a half-dozen fellow Democrats who plan to join the GOP filibuster. Supporters need two of those Democrats to vote to cut off debate. Neither would then have to support the bill itself and could say they just helped their party on a procedural vote.

If the votes can't be secured, the bill would eventually be sent back to committee and the chamber will take up other business.

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Bethesda, Md.: I am curious to know if there is any African American politicians who will be running for the governor in Maryland? Why are they always picked as the lieutenant?

John Wagner: As of now, the only African-American on a gubernatorial ticket is Prince George's Del. Anthony Brown, who is Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley's running mate. If O'Malley is elected, many Democrats believe Brown would be a strong candidate for governor down the road.

Gov. Robert Ehrlich, a Republican, became the first major candidate for governor to name a black running mate, putting Michael S. Steele on the ticket in 2002. Ehrlich has yet to name a replacement for Steele, who is now running for another statewide office, U.S. Senate.

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, O'Malley's Democratic challenger, has yet to name a running mate, but many in the party expect him to tap an African-American as well.

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Silver Spring, Md.: On the Duncan/O'Malley matchup: I am getting the impression that although Doug Duncan does not look like he is getting out of the race, both candidates and the state party powers are planning to keep the campaign very positive. Democratic candidates for other offices, like Franchot, are openly saying that either Duncan or O'Malley will be a better governor than Ehrlich. State Party Chairman Terry Lierman has said that having more people running is a good thing, because it gets the candidates out more, etc. Can you imagine a set of circumstances where either Duncan or O'Malley could reasonably think that a more negative campaign would really be in their best interest?

John Wagner: The O'Malley camp believes Duncan has already gone too negative. In recent weeks, for example, Duncan has joined those aggressively questioning whether O'Malley's crime statistics are accurate. That issue seems to have boosted Duncan's profile on radio stations in Baltimore -- an area where the county executive must become better known to win the primary.

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College Park, Md.: There was a lot of ink about John Giannetti helping an opponent who was choking in an Annapolis restaurant.

His little incident with Jim Rosapepe made for an amusing story, but it among my neighbors, he's still an embarrassment. We'd be happy to have him as an ex-Senator.

John Wagner: It should make for a very interesting primary. Giannetti is an easy politician, some feel, to underestimate.

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Anonymous: What kind of implications do you think the stem cell bill could have nationally? Do you think it could have a reach beyond in Maryland?

John Wagner: Maryland is one of several states considering funding embryonic stem cell research in the wake of a 2001 executive order by President Bush that limited federal money.

One concern for bill supporters is that Maryland's scientists will move to California and other states that support the research if Maryland does not step up to the plate. Leading research in the area is currently being done at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and Maryland has a significant biotech industry as well.

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Maryland: I used to like Gov. Ehrlich. He seemed earnest and engaging, and like a regular guy during the last campaign. Now every time I hear him on the radio he's crying about something the legislature did or didn't do. He sounds like the selfish pre-schooler in the sandbox who wants all the toys.

I was surprised to read in the Post recently that the MD constitution gives him more power than any other gov. in the country has. Is that true? If so, what the heck is he complaining about?

I've lived in other states and I don't recall the governors complaining so much about the legislature on the airwaves and in the paper.

John Wagner: It is true that Ehrlich has greater budget powers than other executives across the country.

Whether his complaints about Democratic legislators amount to "crying" is more a matter of opinion, though.

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Washington, D.C.: Crime Stats: What evidence is there that O'Malley has been dishonest about crime stats? I'm talking real, actual evidence. All I have seen is accusations, and these accusations get reported over and over such that the buzz about it evolves into people believing there are actual facts, even when the evidence is lacking. I'm not media bashing, I'm talking about how this seems to happen in politics, where you don't need any actual evidence to attack someone, just repeat it over and over and it sticks. Please clear this up.

John Wagner: This is a matter probably best taken up outside of an on-line chat, given its complexity. I would direct you to a piece we ran last week as a starting point.

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Silver Spring, Md.: The coming election season looks pretty exciting to me. Of course, the governors' race will probably be a bloodbath, but some of the primaries could get interesting too. Do you think that there is any possibility that Peter Franchot can wrest the Democratic nomination for Comptroller from WD Schaeffer? Of course, name recognition is the elephant in the room, but do you get a sense that the voters have had it with Schaeffer's act?

John Wagner: Certainly some have. But most party insiders believe Franchot still has an uphill climb. Part of his challenge will be to break through the clutter of an election season featuring competitive races for governor, U.S. Senate and a host of other offices.

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Bethesda, Md.: Can you please provide an update on the investigation of Gov. Erhlich's firing on long time civil servants for what seemed to be unjust political purposes?

John Wagner: It has been a few weeks since the committee looking into terminations under Ehrlich last met. But the panel says its work is not yet done. More witnesses will be called soon, and there is still talk of producing some legislation providing additional job protections before session ends.

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Bethesda, Md. (: Is the ICC really a done deal. I'm not a supporter. Could the ICC be killed if we elect a Democrat and if so which one?

John Wagner: Both major Democrats in the race, Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, have voiced support for the ICC.

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Franchot: Regarding name recognition--count me among those who had barely heard of Franchot a month ago. I barely know my own delegates let alone someone from a far away district. But now I am interested in learning more about the guy and will definitely pay attention to that campaign.

John Wagner: A key for Franchot will be whether enough other voters react in the same way. Despite the widespread attention the ogling episode received, we're still six months from the primary, and most voters have not yet tuned in.

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Parkville, Md.: It has been argued that candidates who face primary opponents emerge more "battle hardened" and ready to face the challenger in the general election than those who face no primary challenger. Of course, they also emerge with less money (at least initially). Do you agree?

John Wagner: This can be argued both ways. Many Democrats thought the party would have been better served in 2002 if Kathleen Kennedy Townsend faced a primary opponent who exposed her weaknesses as a candidate earlier on. But most Democrats also believe that both O'Malley and Duncan are stronger candidates than she was.

It is almost certain that the Democratic nominee will spend more money if he faces a challenger than if he has a free pass in the primary. But winning a primary just two months before the general election can provide a sense of momentum heading into the fall.

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TT from Annapolis, Md.: When is Duncan going to drop out?

John Wagner: There are no signs at this point that Duncan intends to drop out.

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Columbia, Md.: Couldn't the job protection plan backfire on the Democrats if they win in Nov? At that point there would be Republicans holding some of the jobs that were held by Democrats before the last election.

John Wagner: That is one potential irony of this exercise, as some Republicans have noted. Democrats could cut the number of "at-will" positions a governor is allowed and then recapture the office a few months later.

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Re: Bethesda, Md.: Isn't it the fact that the committee investigating the governor has not found anything untoward or unethical in the governor's personnel practices? This is becoming more and more an obvious election year ploy by Democrats. Even Mac Middleton, Senate chair of the committee, has admitted recently that they better come up with something soon or Republicans will be proven right and the Demcrats will face a taxpayer backlash. Please provide your insight. Thank you.

John Wagner: Republicans are, in fact, poised to make an issue of how much the investigation has cost if there are no further revelations. But several high-profile witnesses, including Joe Steffen, are yet to come.

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Washington, D.C.: What's the deal with Senator Hooper?

John Wagner: A little elaboration from the questioner might be helpful in answering...

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Eastern Shore: Any credible women candidates for statewide office -- state or federal -- of any hue or political orientation this year?

John Wagner: So far, few have stepped forward.

All three of the major candidates for governor are men. It is possible that either Gov. Robert Ehrlich or Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan could pick a woman as his running mate.

There is a crowded Democratic field for U.S. Senate. But the only woman is Lise Van Susteren, a Montgomery County psychiatrist, who is considered a long shot.

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John Wagner: That's it for now. Thanks for all the questions.

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