The Republicans are going after Democratic Speaker Michael Busch. Last weekend, Gov. Bob Ehrlich joined a Republican door-knocking campaign as part of an effort to unseat him. Speaker Busch, who has won five elections to the House, doesn't sound too worried:
Busch, 59, a county recreation and parks official who lives in Annapolis, said he relishes a good fight.
"My job is to stand up to unjust entitlement," he said. "I don't mind being the guy who stood against Blue Cross/Blue Shield over medical malpractice. ... The gaming industry makes the tobacco industry pale in influence.
"Do we want to be a go-along, get-along state or do we want to reach our potential in health care, education and the environment?"
The 20-year delegate -- in his first term as speaker -- said he is proud to have kept slots out. "Slots are an unstable revenue source which would balance the budget on the backs of people in the poorest, African-American communities."
Married with two young daughters, Busch grew up in a modest rancher in Glen Burnie and took the bus to St. Mary's School -- where he later went on to teach and coach.
He says the Republican Party has moved "way to the right" in recent years, noting his Republican challengers oppose legal abortions in most cases, although Ehrlich is pro-choice.
He's braced for this election, with about $275,500 in campaign funds as of Sept. 1, according to the most recent documents filed with the state Board of Elections.
Busch is a great Speaker. It is hard to see how he'll go down in what is shaping up to be a far better year than 2002, when Busch topped the list of candidates. I just hope he and his running mates are knocking aggressively on doors too. Although it is nice that his campaign war chest is so large, there is no substitute for voter contact. Having seen him recently wind up a crowd in person, I don't think anyone can doubt his willingness to take on the Republicans in his district or in the House of Delegates.
