Wayne Gilchrest sat down with the Chestertown Spy’s Kurt Kolaja and Dave Wheelan before a speaking engagement at the Bookplate bookstore on Cross Street on Friday night. In keeping with his reputation as a straight shooter, the former congressman spoke candidly on what is wrong with Washington, the Republican party, his successor Frank Kratovil, and life after Congress.
Spy News: Wayne Gilchrest Taking Stock
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Warrior Bob Kramer says
Gee… a folk I could vote for… again… and again… and again… and again… which I did.
MD Eastern Shore says
Gilchrest would have voted for Obamacare? Good grief. We need our own Ron Paul.
For those readers who have forgotten, there’s this thing called the Constitution. Health care is nowhere in it, nor is 90% of all the other junk for which Washington confiscates our money. Let’s get back to basics.
Clark says
We miss you in Congress, Wayne.,even if you don’t miss Congress.
Keith Thompson says
I’ve always enjoyed Gilchrest’s visits to WCTR because every time he comes, I learn something.
Jimbo says
Wayne is a nice guy.
Bob G says
Oh, Wayne…You are the only Republican I’ve ever voted for. How I wish I could do so again. and how I wish you were a Democrat! We need (desperately) folks like you in Congress.
Chris says
What an even handed guy. It was sad to watch a true moderate and effective legislator be slandered out of office.
Keith Thompson says
In response to MD Eastern Shore…I also cite Ron Paul as a politician with whom I agree with politically, but I don’t have the animosity toward Obamacare as the typical conservative right winger because most of the people protesting against Obamacare don’t seem to recognize that the healthcare system is broken and the politicians they support are just as much as at fault as anyone else in Congress. Frankly, I don’t see Obamacare as any worse than the status quo, so the issue is a wash with me. Given that we have exactly one Ron Paul in Congress, I don’t put a lot of stock into having him change American politics. One of the things I find refreshing about Gilchrest as well with Kratovil is that they are independent, a trait I also like with Castle in Delaware where I live.
Andrea says
What a shame that Wayne was hustled out by dirty politics — he was that rarest of rarities, a true moderate — as well as a good, kind man with an abiding concern for his constituents and the issues of the Eastern Shore.
I have always lived in Wayne’s district, and was always proud to give him my vote (registered Dem though I am).
I would vote for him again in a split second!
Wayne, come back, we need you!
Miles Barnard says
Dear “MD Eastern Shore”,
The constitution doesn’t say anything about the government providing an education for every citizen either. Maybe we should eliminate public schools while we are “getting back to basics”… I’m afraid that you don’t represent ‘my’ MD Eastern Shore. If we don’t start taking some action now for Frank Kratovil and Martin O’Malley, we are going to end up with Andy Harris and Bob Urlich.
Keith Thompson says
That’s a valid point from Miles. I’ve grown rather amused by the charges of Socialism that the conservatives are trying to tar and feather Obama and the Democratic Party with. From a Libertarian point of view it’s a silly argument because a Libertarian would argue that we’ve already been Socialist for a couple of generations now. What is lacking with the conservative position is that they are not seriously trying to get rid of the “socialist” programs we already have in place like Social Security, the minimum wage, the 40 hour work week, welfare programs, etc. It’s not enough to tell us what you’re against, please tell us what you’re for and that is what I see lacking from the political right. Most of the conservative argument is that they’re not Democrats.
Elise K says
How utterly frank and what a great insight into the workings of politics. What do we need to do, Wayne, to get you back into the fray?
MARY WOOD says
After Wayne’s last comment about life after politics, I wouldn’t have the heart to put him back into the fray. I am thankful he gave us so many years of fine service. Thank you Spy ,for giving us that great interview with Wayne Gilchrist.He is another intelligent and open minded Republican like the late Senator Charles Mathias. Were any of Spy’s readers around to vote for him? I would love to see a dialogue between Gilchist and Frank Kratovil, an exchange of ideas.
Daniel Menefee says
Mr. Gilchrest is really a progressive, he should switch to the DNC and run against Kratovil in th primary. I wonder if he’s entertained the idea? Might have been a good question to ask?
Matteasternshore says
Gilchrest supports Kratovil across party lines. I supported Gilchrest, across party lines for years. Gilchrest and kratovil are peas in a pod and we are fortunate enough to have both of them.