It’s quite likely that most Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot County residents will have little enthusiasm in casting their votes for the 1st Congressional District next Tuesday.
Democrats, still recovering from the sudden withdrawal of Wendy Rosen amid charges of voter fraud, have lost a critical opportunity to formally challenge Representative Andy Harris. They must now rely on a write-in campaign which makes it almost impossible for their party to defeat the incumbent.
And many Upper Shore Republicans, who have remained steadfastly moderate in thought and disposition in a party which has moved to the far right, are now resigned to the fact that the days of a Rogers Morton, or more recently a Wayne Gilchrest, have come to a sad end.
In short, the district finds itself having no choice but to accept that Dr. Harris, and his brand of Western Shore conservative ideology, will represent the Eastern Shore for another two years.
Dr. Harris’ extremism should give every voter in the district pause. He has been a proud and non-questioning foot solider for the Republican House leadership as they perfected a “scorched earth” budget strategy that has ultimately damaged the good faith and credit of the United States. This high risk game of “chicken” is contrary to the historic character of the Eastern Shore or its legacy of thoughtful leaders.
There is no purpose served in demeaning Dr. Harris for his passionate commitment to conservative principles. The Congressman has misled no one in his desire to radically diminish the role and expense of the federal government. He has presented these views to his constituents honestly throughout his first term with countless town meetings and powerpoint presentations. Nonetheless, there should be no doubt that Dr. Harris’ budget reform strategy, and those of the radical right in the House of Representatives, is an extremely dangerous one for this country.
The Eastern Shore has been historically apprehensive in applying radical solutions to big problems. From Dorchester’s Governor Tom Hicks refusing to let Maryland separate from the Union in 1861 to Kent County’s Wayne Gilchrest’s courageous public doubts about a preemptive war against Iraq in 2003, reason and common sense is at the core of the Eastern Shore’s DNA. Dr. Harris’ words and deeds in his first two years lack those values.
Dr. John LaFerla, who the Chestertown Spy endorsed in the Democratic primary earlier this year, is waging a serious write-in candidacy with the full endorsement of the Maryland Democratic Party. Dr. LaFerla’s political views of compromise and moderation are far more in step with the Shore’s long developed inclination of reason in the face of a crisis or war.
The voters of the Eastern Shore should write in Dr. LaFerla’s name to be the 1st District’s Representative to Congress.
Sherwin Markman says
Does anyone else suspect the timing of Wendy Rosen’s withdrawal, which was just AFTER that time that the Democratic Party could file a substitute nominee, was deliberate?
Jim Jefferson says
Yes, I am suspicious, especially since Wendy Rosen was a Republican. But, in the big picture, it really doesn’t matter. The new first district was drawn to be Republican, and probably will be for the foreseeable future. The new boundaries did eliminate a Repub seat, so I will take a Harris to gain another Dem district. Doctor Congressman Harris will continue to serve as our bad example.
Margie Elsberg says
Thank you for your continued endorsement of John LaFerla for the 1st District Congressional seat, and for your accurate assessment of Andy Harris and his scorched-earth philosophy. I’m off to cast my early-voting ballot now, pleased that the election folks are making it easy to cast a write-in vote for John LaFerla. Maybe…just maybe…my fellow 1st District citizens and I will manage to elect him. If we’re successful, we’ll once again have a Member of Congress who will consider issues thoughtfully, and who will represent us well.
Keith Thompson says
I do find it interesting that with the withdrawal of Wendy Rosen that there are two candidates on the ballot in the First District and yet one of them did not earn a mention in this editorial.
Gren Whitman says
‘Twas fun practicing how to use the “write-in” feature on those newfangled electronic ballot boxes by punching in “J-O-H-N-L-A-F-E-R-L-A.”
Fun also to notice that super-storm Sandy had one positive effect by blowing down and otherwise obliterating a number of large, obnoxious “Romney” signs along the roads, and, thereby, strongly suggesting that even God Herself doesn’t approve of Mitt.
Amen, Sandy!
Keith Thompson says
I’ve seen my fair share of Obama signs down after Sandy too, so perhaps Sandy is a third-party supporter.
John LaFerla says
I thank the Chestertown Spy and so many thoughtful caring citizens of Maryland District 1 for making the effort to endorse my candidacy and to cast the appropriate write-in vote. While many wonder about Wendy Rosen’s motivation and the meaning, if any, of the timing of her departure, it is clear that the majority of Democratic voters did not get the message that she had withdrawn. In part this represents an insufficient effort on my part to advertise and explain the situation to more people, but it also seems to me that the election board could have found a way to alert voters to the situation. In any event, the election is over and Andy Harris is still our Congressman. (Incidentally, I phoned his office this morning to concede the race — he was not in, and he has not returned my call.)
Any and all readers of the Spy are welcomed to contact me with ideas and suggestions for improving our lives here on the Eastern Shore. I will continue my efforts to improve government, to work with non-governmental organizations, and to make District 1 more politically competitive so that we can have a constructive debate in 2014 and beyond for the benefit of all our citizens. Thanks again.
Marge Fallaw says
I find it interesting/curious that Rosen and Harris are such near neighbors, she apparently living at 81 Montvieu Ct. and he apparently at 49 Montvieu Ct. (post office Cockeysville 21030).