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Looks like Barack Obama is mending fences with Hillary supporters in Maryland.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a co-chairwoman for her presidential campaign, praised Obama this week for his choice of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, saying the president-elect had "once again demonstrated his sound judgment and his commitment to bringing the greatest minds together to serve our country."
In May, with Clinton's campaign on life support, the New York Times reported that Mikulski praised Clinton for overcoming the "petulant parsing pundits" in the press.
(The Times noted that the use of alliteration put Mikulski in the unlikely company of another Maryland politician, former Gov. Spiro Agnew, who once referred to the media as "nattering nabobs of negativism.")
On Monday, Mikulski called Clinton "smart, dedicated, unflinching and unflagging."
"I can think of no better person than Sen. Clinton to represent the values of our country, repair friendships around the world and restore America's reputation abroad," Mikulski said in a statement.
And if Clinton can stand up to the malevolent mainstream media, she should be able to handle Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
— Sean R. Sedam
Clipped from the headlines
Gil Genn's 15 minutes of fame is going into extra innings.
He turned up as a question on the Nov. 22 edition of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" — the radio quiz show on National Public Radio.
"A Maryland lobbyist showed up on time for a meeting at the state capital despite blank," said host Peter Sagal, quizzing comedian Paula Poundstone.
"The fact that he's from a little state, that doesn't really matter?" Poundstone replied.
Of course not. He was mauled by a deer and tended to his injuries with a binder clip and hydrogen peroxide.
"The deer went all Rambo on him," Sagal said, to which writer Adam Felber chimed in: "Wouldn't that be ‘Bambo'?"
We noted that NPR burnished some of the anatomical details from the story, but we wonder where Genn will show up next.
"I'll take ‘Binder Clips in First Aid' for $100, Alex."
— Douglas Tallman
Animal and worker rights
A Japanese television crew was among the usual press gaggle awaiting Gov. Martin O'Malley in the Miller Senate Building on Wednesday after an announcement on land preservation.
As the reporters gathered 'round the guv for some Q&A, a member of the crew asked O'Malley what he knew about reindeer. Huh?
O'Malley repeated the question to make sure he understood (even if we didn't), and said something about it being illegal to harbor reindeer as pets, something about it keeping them from doing their duty of helping Santa Claus to deliver gifts to boys and girls.
"I'm going to sign an executive order to allow Santa and his reindeer to do their work" he said.
O'Malley spokesman Shaun Adamec said Thursday that the crew was in Annapolis doing a "cutesy piece" about Santa not being able to deliver Christmas presents because of a state ban on reindeer as pets. (It doesn't exactly sound like "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" to us, but have you seen some of those Japanese game shows?)
At the prodding of the TV crew, O'Malley also engaged in some international diplomacy.
"Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all the people of Japan from the good people of Maryland," he said.
Then it was on to the questions about another executive order — one that would furlough state employees.
Their questions about reindeer answered, the Japanese crew made a hasty retreat.
— Sean R. Sedam
Rifkin reappears
Last time we heard from Scott Rifkin was his throttling by Bobby Zirkin in the 2006 11th District Senate Democratic primary that featured some nasty mailers, courtesy of Rifkin.
Those wounds remain fresh today, as Zirkin carries plenty of animosity toward his one-time opponent.
Now, one of his fellow senators is turning to Zirkin's rival for help in raising dough in the Baltimore area. Rifkin is hosting a fundraiser later this month for Jim Rosapepe at his Owings Mills residence.
What gives? Rosapepe said Rifkin is a longtime friend who offered up his home for a reception co-hosted by a dozen Baltimore-area political figures, including former Mayor Kurt Schmoke, Larry Gibson, Max Curran and Lainy Lebow-Sachs.
He also said he was unaware about any ill will between Rifkin and Zirkin — only that they opposed each other — and that he has a good relationship with Zirkin, whom he called to notify about the function.
"There's less here than meets the eye," Rosapepe said.
The two men might take a cue from this year's bitterly contested Democratic presidential primary in settling their score, Rosapepe added. "Just as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton ran against each other and are now working together, that's the way things are in life."
Good luck brokering that peace accord.
"I hope Jim raises a lot of money," Zirkin said. "I certainly support him, and he's welcome in the 11th district anytime he wants to come out. As for the host, I trust that the money he spends on Sen. Rosapepe will be used in a much more positive and productive way than he spent his money in his own race."
— Alan Brody
Mr. Ambassador?
Speaking of Rosapepe, his name has been circulating for a possible ambassadorial post in the Obama administration.
The former ambassador to Romania under Bill Clinton quickly batted down speculation that he would consider such an offer.
"I'm flattered, but I have no interest and I'm running for re-election in the Senate," he said. "I love being in the Senate, I love working with Martin O'Malley, and I love working with the delegates in my district. We have big problems in Maryland, and this is what I signed up for."
— Alan Brody
To the winner goes
the Pulse
Charles Duffy continues his run of election winners on his "Political Pulse" show.
Following on the heels of Congressman Chris Van Hollen, who shepherded Democrats to a gain of seats in the House of Representatives as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and O'Malley, who successfully pushed slot machine gambling to a referendum win, Duffy will welcome Robin Ficker.
The so-called Ficker Amendment, a ballot question facing generations of Montgomery County voters, finally won passage last month. The amendment requires a unanimous vote of the Montgomery County Council in order for the county's property tax to grow faster than the rate of inflation.
See Ficker in the spotlight at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on Montgomery Municipal Cable Channel 16.
— Sean R. Sedam
And speaking of Ficker …
Keeping the Ficker mojo going another week, it seems the fearless tax fighter has been rewarded for his efforts by being named a Free Market Hero by the Libertarian Party, or as they call themselves, "The Party of Principle."
Ficker earned hero status from the party last month after finally getting his property tax amendment passed in MoCo. In a blog about the Man, the Myth, the Legend, blogger Andrew Davis said Ficker personifies the "true meaning of patience is a virtue."
The blog goes on to detail Ficker's 34-year and 17-election-cycle quest to get the initiative passed.
Let's see, in the past 34 years (1974-2008), poker has been declared a sport, Angelina Jolie and Madonna have begun solving the world's orphan problem, and leggings and Afros have made comebacks.
— Janel Davis
Dear Barack
Get this, Paul Pinsky has quite the funny bone.
No really, the typically bland former teacher showed off his comedic prowess in an open letter to Obama that left us laughing out loud.
In it, Pinsky invites Obama to resume in Maryland his basketball playing days that he regularly participated in as a member of the Illinois state Senate and offers some tips on keeping his game sharp as he grows older.
"I'm not known for being overly solicitous, but, as a longtime hoopster and a Maryland state senator, I thought you might want to hang out with another over-30 basketball junkie," Pinsky wrote. "Yes, I'm 58, but I've been told I play like I'm 48, and that brings me closer to your territory. I do have it over you on height. But, at 6'4", I tend to play small. Okay, I haven't left the ground in three years."
Surely, Pinsky, one of the most liberal senators in Annapolis, and Obama, considered one of the most left-leaning presidents in history, would get along.
"In hoops, as in the Maryland Statehouse, I tend to go ‘left,' but I do have a right crossover that may occasionally surprise you," he wrote.
But there will be no gimme layups for the president-elect, as Pinsky says he doesn't back down in the face of a powerful politician.
"And you also needn't worry about getting any special treatment when you're driving to the basket. You won't find me simply standing by and watching in awe. I don't have a problem challenging authority. Just ask our long-serving Maryland Senate President Mike Miller or a couple of former Maryland governors."
Come on out to Annapolis, Pinsky implored, where a bunch of state legislators gather once a week and trade in their budget books and bills for backboards and bank shots.
"Once on the court, I'm usually a ‘pass first, shoot second' kind of guy," he wrote. "You might say it's my approach to ‘distributing the wealth.' With what I hear is your willingness to ‘throw it up,' we just might make a pretty good tandem."
Obama best bring his "A" game to the parquet, Pinsky wrote. "And on those nights when I'm on an opposing team, you can be sure I would work to shut you down, one of my strengths. Hitting an uncontested 3-pointer in Iraq is one thing, but you may have to work a little harder for it here. Is setting a high screen in the job description of your Secret Service detachment?"
Need some references, Mr. President-elect? "You can check with Bobby, a senator in Annapolis who never met a shot out of his range," Pinsky wrote, referring to long-distance guard Bobby Zirkin, probably the most talented legislative hoopster.
"It was an accurate statement," Zirkin said of Pinsky's lighthearted poke. "I have no qualms at all with his characterization. When you get the shot, you take it."
Even during the interim, Pinsky plays weekly pickup games.
"I enjoy the game, burning off a few pounds so I can go home and eat ice cream," he told us.
Sometimes, comedy comes from where you least expect it.
Or, as Zirkin suggested in jest, "He really does have a lot of time on his hands."
— Alan Brody
Tag team
Many a lobbyist's biggest fear isn't getting the cold shoulder from a legislator or a bill going down in flames or even an upset client.
Above all, they dread a reporter's inquiry. Most run for the hills or direct media folk elsewhere, but one of Annapolis' top hired guns now has an ace up his sleeve.
Bill Pitcher has forged an alliance with flack-of-all-trades Susan O'Brien to provide his clients a public relations outlet. O'Brien, a former press secretary for ex-Gov. Parris Glendening and several state departments, will move into Pitcher's government affairs suite on Maryland Avenue as the two work in partnership on several projects and independently on others.
Although she is a registered lobbyist, O'Brien characterizes herself as a media consultant and often can be found in the State House bullpen pitching press on behalf of her mostly white-hat clients, such as the American Cancer Society, stem cell research supporters and developmental disabilities advocates.
"In a world where government relations is constantly evolving, Susan brings a new energy to the firm with her innovative and creative ideas," said Pitcher, in a press release e-mailed to reporters — fittingly — by O'Brien. "Her extensive background in public relations and grassroots advocacy will be a tremendous asset to many of our existing and future clients."
— Alan Brody
Movin' on
Had everything gone to plan, Chris Meekins might be making preparations this month to move to Capitol Hill with a triumphant Andy Harris.
Of course, Frank Kratovil came along and rewrote the script, wresting the seat from GOP hands and leaving the 24-year-old Meekins hunting for work.
Turns out he'll be a stone's throw from the Hill after all, with Jamestown Associates, a political consulting and public affairs outfit with offices in D.C., New Jersey, Louisiana and Texas. Jamestown's clients include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses and several congressmen.
There, Meekins will work on advertising campaigns, direct mail and issues communication for officeholders and candidates. He plans to train most of his attention on Virginia's statewide elections next year.
Meekins said he won't miss the exhausting days on the campaign trail and looks forward to being in the outer circle of campaign work. "Instead of being on the ground, it's more a 10,000-foot look at these races with broad strokes."
But the political operative in Meekins had one last dig at Kratovil's decision to keep his campaign manager Tim McCann on board as chief of staff in Washington.
"I've been a firm believer that if you get elected, you need someone who knows the Hill inside and out to be your chief of staff," he said. "You need someone who knows how to help you serve your constituents effectively. You need someone who's not just a campaign hack."
Something tells us we may not have seen the last of Meekins in Maryland.
— Alan Brody
One-night rivals
The cheery relationship between O'Malley and Doug Gansler goes out the window Sunday night, if only for a couple of hours.
Just as the gridiron battle between the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens stirs up a lot of passion among Marylanders whose allegiance is split between the state's two hometown teams, the governor and attorney general will be rivals as well.
The two will square off on Comcast Sportsnet's pregame show, where Gansler is a regular guest during Redskins' home games. This time, he'll be on O'Malley's home turf outside Ravens Stadium, where the two playoff-hopeful teams match up for the first time since 2004.
We're told that O'Malley and Gansler may make a friendly wager on the game. How about servant for a day, since possible furloughs for state employees will give both men five free days in the near future? Or, winner gets more school construction money for his home jurisdiction?
Gansler isn't the only state elected official rooting for the Redskins. In fact, O'Malley's the sole Baltimore backer.
"The commitment to ‘One Maryland' that the governor and I share defines our work, but it only goes so far," said light guv Anthony Brown, who will be watching the game at home. "I look forward to celebrating a Redskins win on Sunday night with my friends from Prince George's County."
And, it's yet another issue on which Peter Franchot and O'Malley don't see eye to eye.
"I voted for the Ravens' stadium and have always liked the Modells and obviously always rooted for the Ravens, but if I had to pick, I'd have to go with the Redskins," the comptroller said.
He predicted a defensive struggle between the two teams fighting for playoff berths, which he's rooting for from a tax collector's perspective.
"We're lucky, we have two playoff-bound teams," said an optimistic Franchot. "We could live in Missouri and be stuck with the Rams and Chiefs [who sport a combined 4-20 record]."
— Alan Brody
Team Obama
Many Marylanders have a hand in Obama's transition to the White House.
Two that haven't been mentioned are Brian Feldman, who is on the Department of Justice's Tax Division transition team, and retired Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge David Ross, a two-term delegate back in the 1970s and father of current Del. Justin Ross. The elder Ross, who worked in the Department of Health and Human Services under Donna Shalala, is a member of the transition team at HHS.
— Alan Brody