Hoop skirts and powdered wigs were among the fashions on display at a Tuesday evening rally in Ellicott City hosted by local Republican clubs.

During the “Common Sense Town Rally,” an extension of the national Tea Party Movement, former Gov. Robert Ehrlich encouraged local conservatives to gear up for the 2010 elections.

He declined, however, to say if he himself would run again for the post he lost three years ago to Democrat Martin O’Malley.

“It is something that we’re looking at,” Ehrlich told the crowd of more than 200  gathered at the Ellicott City VFW Hall. “And if I conclude that we can ultimately do what I just described to you, I’ll run.”

Ehrlich’s half-hour speech detailed his hopes for the party and political strategies in Maryland.

He repeatedly referred to the crowd and dignitaries, many dressed as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams and other historic American figures, as “revolutionaries.”

“It’s about common-sense people who share the values that these guys fought, and some, and many died for,” he said. “Our culture and our values are under attack on a daily basis.”

Kathleen Newberry, an Ellicott City resident, told the former governor she would work tirelessly for him if he ran for his old post.

“These people need somebody,” she said. “Drill, baby, drill. Run, Ehrlich, Run.”

Dressed as Betsy Ross, seamstress of the nation’s first flag, Flora Betro, president of the Howard County Republican Women Club, encouraged rally attendees to mobilize for the 2010 elections.

“It is our job to do everything we can to win this election,” she said.

Ehrlich said election results statewide can be predicted based on returns in Howard County. He told those at the rally they have the ability to build Maryland’s conservative base.

“I come here and I look at a county that is the barometer county — and I’m not sucking up,” Ehrlich said. “My challenge to you is to maximize the votes in this barometer county.”

Joan Becker, chairwoman of the Howard County Republican Central Committee, said some at the rally chose to dress up because of the event’s proximity to Halloween, while others wanted to represent the spirit of the founding fathers.

“Everyday moms and dads are frustrated with the tax situation, frustrated with the bail out, they want to be part of the group,” Becker said.

Ed Priola, a Columbia Republican running for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 13, said many local GOP candidates have already hit the pavement in their campaigns.

“Here we are a year in advance, we’re prepared to outwork the other team,” he said.

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user comments (20)

user silencedogood2 says...

That statement above is the reason why the Republican Party is struggling. K. Newberry is pro party down the line with the statement, "drill baby drill". It can feel like a slap in the face to more mild mannered centrists who would like to end our dependence on petrol and therefore foreign oil including dumping huge sums into bank accounts of those who will use it against us. Republicans are an exclusive club compared to inclusive Democrats. Contact a Democrat and you're on their list, call a Republican and you're sized up to either fit their mold or to be labelled an outsider. I recently saw numbers that represent registration for Republicans declining since 2006 and other affiliations have increased with Howard's increase in population. A party membership decline during a population increase seems unprecidented.

Posted 7:42 AM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user tiredofthewaste says...

Wow, I can't believe that one comment from one person in the audience has tainted the Howard County Republican Party as an exclusive group. silencedogood2 too young or is old enough to have little or no memory. Drill baby Drill refers to drilling within the continental US to reduce the billions of dollars flowing to our enemies in the middle East. The drilling has been blocked by, guess who, the Democrats. The Republicans are an inclusive group, open to anyone who would like to register, participate and run for office. There are no preconditions except, we don't believe in buying votes to win elections. That’s what democrats do!

Posted 10:19 AM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user says...

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make, but I am the K. Newberry you're referring to and I must correct you. I am NOT "pro party down the line". I am an INDEPENDENT. I attended the rally because I care about Maryland and our country. I have never been an 'activist' until this past year. The direction the Obama administration is taking this country is terrifying and O'Malley has got to GO! Our state has gone downhill from DAY ONE since O'Malley has been our Governor. The Republican Party last night was very INCLUSIVE, I must say. Maybe if you actually attended you would know what you're talking about. And yes, I would work tirelessly for Gov. Ehrlich if he decides to run for office. He has demonstrated fiscal responsibility during his last term and would plan improvement of Maryland Commerce to avoid exodus to other states. Gov. Ehrlich balanced the budget & left the state with a SURPLUS, which O'Malley quickly dissolved. Again, I am an Independent hoping that Gov. Ehrlich decides to run for office. We desperately need effective people in government, instead of "career politicians".

Posted 10:40 AM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user asdfgh says...

if you don't want "career politicians", then you shouldn't be supporting Erlich who has been in politics from 1986-2007...

Posted 11:24 AM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user kanewbs says...

By 'career politicians' I meant politicians who make decisions by how many votes they will receive, not by doing what's right for their constituents.

Posted 11:32 AM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user asdfgh says...

oh, silly me. I thought "career politicians" referred to people for whom politics is a career. Like Bobby.

Posted 11:46 AM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user stan630 says...

I generally like Ehrlich, but the offshore drilling issue is a lot of political hot air. First, we only get a small percentage of foreign oil from "our enemies." Most of it comes from Canada and Mexico. Second, American oil companies would have no interest in drilling for off shore oil, unless there was an oil shortage and/or oil was over $100 a barrel. Neither is the case. Democratic dogma says that the burning of fossil fuels will bring the world to an end, so they don't believe in drilling for oil.

Posted 1:35 PM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user kanewbs says...

You're missing the point. It was a preface to "Run, Ehrlich, Run". Although I believe in off shore drilling, since we have plenty of it here in the U.S.A. and we should NOT rely on foreign oil, the point was to encourage Gov. Ehrlich to run. People are so easily distracted these days! I'll say it again so that you can understand it . . . "RUN, EHRLICH, RUN"

Posted 2:23 PM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user uppercorner says...

"oh, silly me. I thought "career politicians" referred to people for whom politics is a career. Like Bobby." And Martin. and Barbara. Need I say more.....

Posted 9:55 PM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user sylviestress says...

That picture is enough to put off anyone undr age 60 from voting Republican. It looks like they're trying to revive the plantation days or some sort of creepy revival. Let's get in the 21st century if we want to attract votes, guys.

Posted 10:52 PM, 10.28.09 | Permalink

user commonsenseplease says...

Crazy all around. You guys that actually think O'Malley is good for MD are so drunk on Kool-Aid its a wonder you can type. Talk about a career politician. This guy woudl sell his own mother for a vote or a job at the next level. Not sure if he or his brain dead followers are more pathetic. Run Bob Run = Drill Bay Drill??? Why not throw in a Halliburton reference just in case. You people are soooooooo clueless. Now for the GOP. What are you thinking? You have the ideas and policies we need. But you have crazy people dressed up like Uncle Sam. If you want to be taken seriously, you better put those people in a closet somewhere.

Posted 12:00 AM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user belovedcartoonmouse says...

I agree with just about everything Ehrlich does. Except that outfit. That outfit is terrible.

Posted 7:39 AM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user independent says...

The statement made by a self described independent in this article does not reflect the general position of independents in Howard County. Unabashed and perhaps adoring support for any one person is unappealing, whether for Ehrlich or Obama. The parties have failed us and as someone said recently, voting is not a sports game wherein we root for our team regardless of the horrid decisions made by them. Get serious about saving what is left and vote for public servants rather than voting by party affiliation so often our vote of last resort when information on local candidates is lacking.

Posted 9:01 AM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user independent says...

Here's the local conservative blog where the sports/voting reference was picked up: http://hocorising.blogspot.com/ Copy and paste into your brower window.

Posted 9:13 AM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user qwestt11 says...

I am sick and tired of "partisan" politics.....the best candidate should be chosen based on his or her principles and intellect, not because of party affiliation....we need term limits for legislators...local, statewide and national....I think two 4-year terms are more than enough time to serve....

Posted 9:59 AM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user kanewbs says...

Dear "independent" . . . so now you speak for all Independents? Tell me what IS the general position of Independents in Howard County? And you think you know how I vote? We are Independents because we are sick of both parties taking us for granted! We vote for the best candidate regardless of party. I would love to see Gov. Ehrlich run again because of his past accomplishments & I think he's good for Maryland - NOT because he's Republican. What part of that don't you understand? O'Malley has got to GO & I think Ehrlich can win. If someone else is a better candidate, REGARDLESS of his/her party, I would happily support them! As an Independent, can you name one?

Posted 11:40 AM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user please says...

Please.

Posted 7:51 PM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user kanewbs says...

Just as I thought - you can't!

Posted 10:26 PM, 10.29.09 | Permalink

user independent says...

Hundreds of Howard County registered Independents have been polled and 'drill baby drill' never came up. Most Independents are very busy with life outside politics but know enough to realize that adolation for an individual is not a good foundation for handing over power. There are, however, serveral types of Independents. Some are too conservative for the Republican party, some are too liberal for the Democratic party. But most just do not want to affiliate with either of the two teams that prioritize their one team above their county, state, country. In fact, we did have a third party candidate running for Maryland Governor in the last election. The press chose not to cover him and ordinarily these folks are not allowed into debates. The powers who decide these things are holding our right to knowledge hostage but those days may be numbered as technology use swells past campaign funding for favors and contempt for anyone not D or R. I just picked up this message/prompt for a response. Like most Independents I was busy with things outside of politics last night.

Posted 7:26 AM, 10.30.09 | Permalink

user indyminded says...

I am a member of the HCRC, and a conservative Independent. I am embarrassed and horrified at the media coverage of this event but had bet my life this would happen like this. We should be proud of our founding fathers, they were amazing but to portray ourselves like this was foolish. I believe in strong conservatism except on a very few social issues such as gay rights and abortion, but we do need to change our image. That is what the left is so good at, packaging themselves, making themselves attractive and inviting, plus they own the media, education and the arts, to think they would not have taken this opportunity to make us look foolish was foolish on our part. This article, and ridiculous FRONT PAGE!! photo will be used against us, and most likely Ehrlich if he runs again over and over. Hopefully the left will forget this but I highly doubt it. I also think FOX 45 portrayed us as right wing extremists "dressed for a revolution" so much material for the left to smear us with.

Posted 12:13 PM, 10.30.09 | Permalink