“Hogan has stood up to the present administration in Washington,” said Vail, 68, who retired from the aviation industry. “He has an independent streak.”
I am curious about people’s perception on this, living in Maryland, I have not seen this. What I have noted is that Hogan is reasonably good at remaining focused on state issues without Republican extremism. Maybe that is what they are saying, but I find that a low hurdle.
I don’t live in MD. IMO, Jealous will lose because Hogan (much like Baker in MA) is seen as a sane Rethug and therefore worth preserving. I just don’t see enough Dem opposition to Hogan to make him really vulnerable.
Jealous said his goal is not just to win an election, but build a movement and lead into law a new agenda.
Personally, I don’t see this game plan as garnering a lot of votes in MD.
I’m also in MD. IMHO Hogan, like Paul Ryan, tends to avoid commenting on Trump when possible. He has pushed back here and there but he seems to do only the minimum (though he pulled National Guard troops from the border). I think by doing this he looks less like a typical partisan bomb thrower like an Andy Harris so Dems consider this to be moderate.
I think it’s fair to compare him to Bob Ehrlich who spent his term whining and complaining and was in many high profile fights with the Legislature. Hogan is much more low key and I think basically flying under everyone’s radar.
I wonder if he would be different in a second term.
IOKIYAR. These days they have managed to lower expectations so much that if they’re not actively corrupt and foaming at the mouth everybody considers them “reasonable”. And mostly without losing tribal loyalty in the general election.
Ok, my additional two cents on this.
Hogan is how some Republicans act when they are surrounded by Democrats in all the other positions (Maryland is a heavily Democratic state). In other words, with a lot of strong guard rails, sure some Republicans can stay on the road to getting things done and act civilly. But we should rightfully see that as an incredibly low bar.
I wrote to Governor Hogan at the beginning of the Trump administration when it had become really clear that serious issues were developing in the new administration based on Trump’s choices in nominees. The Governor had nothing to contribute at the time as I remember. Clearly a moderate Republican, if Hogan is, had a responsibility and opportunity there. The only time to have any influence would be at the beginning of a new administration. As to pulling National Guard Troops, not participating in child kidnappings (government sponsored) again is a low bar in a Democratic state.
That said, I understand why he has done little. Moderate Republicans have a precarious perch in the Republican party and are at best ignored. For Hogan to have any further path forward with Republicans, he will have to prove he is not a RHINO. So, I do believe that you are correct to question his second term because when does he prove his bona fides as a “Republican”?
The problem for Hogan is that Maryland is a heavily Democratic state in a year where Democrats are mobilized. Off-year elections (like the Maryland Governorship) allow Republicans to slide into office because Democrats often do not participate in off-year elections. Also, while heavily Democratic, the Democratic voters here do not have much patience for low quality Democratic politicians. Our enthusiasm can wane very quickly.
So this really depends on how good a candidate Ben Jealous turns out to be.
“Jealous will lose because Hogan (much like Baker in MA) is seen as a sane Rethug and therefore worth preserving.”
“Sane Rethug” - oxymoron of the century.
I would hope that very few D voters actually believe there’s any value in “preserving” a Rethug moderate. These “moderates” have, at best, no meaningful influence with their party or their voters. However anodyne or harmless they may try to seem, almost any Dem would be far better. The whole R party needs to be kicked to the sidelines, including the “moderates”.
And think about the downsides. Ben Cardin, the senior Senator, will be 75 on election day. What if he were to die while Hogan was Governor? Chris Van Hollen is 16 years younger… but accidents happen. We know fully well than any Repug is going to put party first when it comes to any decision that gives their party even the smallest advantage… much less a Senate seat.
The best strategy for Jealous, I think, would be to respectfully acknowledge his opponent’s moderation, but point out how in all respects where they differ, Jealous has the far better vision for MD and the whole country. And, by the way, don’t forget about that Senate seat.