Susan Turnbull, the Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, and Audrey Scott, the Chair of the Maryland Republican Party, debate the Governor's race and other issues on "Political Pulse" on:
Thurs, October 28th at 9:00 p.m.;
and
Fri-Sunday, October 29th-31st, at 6 p.m.
Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County.
Showing posts with label Susan Turnbull. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Susan Turnbull. Show all posts
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Susan Turnbull and Audrey Scott Debate on Political Pulse
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Turnbull Takes on Owings
Just as former Ehrlich Cabinet Member George Owings is announcing his run for Governor as a Democrat, Maryland Democratic Party Chair Susan Turnbull is declaring, "Game on!" Here's her comment on his candidacy, which we reprint from the party's blog.Who is George Owings?
Just one teeny-weeny question. Doesn't the party usually stay officially neutral during contested primaries?
As you might imagine, I’ve been getting some questions about George Owings and his candidacy for Governor of Maryland.
Despite the fact that I have been involved in the Maryland Democratic Party for more than 25 years, I don’t really know George Owings. What I do know is that he was a loyal appointee of Bob Ehrlich. He may be a nice enough guy, but to be honest no one in the state or especially the Democratic Party is clamoring for a return to the Ehrlich administration.
Most Marylanders know that Governor O’Malley is doing a good job leading the state forward in this very difficult time. In fact, from where I sit, Maryland is in much better shape than our neighbors and we can be really thankful we’ve had such a steady hand leading us. Maybe that’s why Governing Magazine chose Martin O’Malley as Governor of the Year in 2009.
George Owings’ conservative record on tobacco, choice, women, health care, guns and the environment have led to his close affiliation with the state GOP and Bob Ehrlich. Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Hogan has even said that he and George Owings agree on most issues.
George Owings has said on the record that he was disappointed to lose his political appointment in the Ehrlich cabinet, and even admitted that he needed a “cooling off period” to get over his anger when Governor O’Malley won and appointed new cabinet secretaries. This “challenge” sounds a little too personal and it makes you wonder whether George Owings is still reading from Bob Ehrlich’s talking points.
One thing I have seen this year is that Democrats, be they conservative or liberal, are happy with Governor O’Malley and recognize that Maryland has stable, conscientious leadership.
Written by: Susan Turnbull on January 6, 2010.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Turnbull Congratulates Scott... Sort of
This is about the most backhanded "congratulations" we've ever seen. Somewhere former Maryland Democrats Press Secretary David Paulson is smiling.
Media Contacts: David Sloan
Office: 410.269.8818
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT FROM MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR SUSAN W. TURNBULL
ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 14th, 2009)
“I congratulate Audrey Scott on her selection as the new Chair of the Maryland Republican Party. I'm hopeful that in the months ahead we can have a spirited conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing our state and our nation. I am especially proud of the progress our Democratic leadership has made on so many issues from improving public education in our schools to reducing violent crime in our communities.
“At the national, state, and local levels, Maryland Democrats are focused on finding solutions, working hard to manage the national recession, helping our small businesses create new jobs and new opportunities, and providing workforce training and assistance for those families hit hardest by these very difficult times. In fact, Governor O'Malley was just named Governor of the Year by the nonpartisan "Governing Magazine" for his results-driven and innovative efforts to reform state government and make it more accountable.
“While Maryland Democrats are focused on solutions, we are also focused on the future. Since November 2008, 77% of all new registered voters were Democrats, while only 6% were Republicans. Because the people of Maryland want solutions, Maryland Democrats have widened our 2 to 1 margin over Republicans. With Senator Mikulski and Governor O'Malley on the ballot, Maryland Democrats are stronger than ever and ready for 2010.
“Congratulations again to Chairwoman Scott. We look forward to a vigorous debate working to find positive solutions to the critical issues facing our nation and out state. Given the national recession, our families deserve and expect nothing less.”
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Turnbull Taunts Ehrlich
Maryland Democratic Party Chair Susan Turnbull just sent out this delightful open letter taunting former Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich. Game on!
Dear Former Governor Ehrlich,
Running for governor is an intensely personal decision for you and your family, and no one – Republicans or Democrats – should fault you for taking the time to consider your prospects in 2010. As you conduct – in your own words – your “objective analysis,” “hold focus groups” and “look at cross-tabs,” I wanted to make sure that you and your pollster ask the right questions on which to base your decision.
For instance, do voters know that:
1. You increased spending by almost 22% in your last two years in office - exceeding the Spending Affordability guidelines?
2. You raised more than $3 billion in hidden taxes, tolls and fees on Maryland families?
3. You raised taxes on income from manufacturing?
4. You raised state property taxes 57%?
5. You raised the corporate filing fees by $188 million during your first three years in office?
These are very important questions that you should ask in your poll – especially since spending levels in the State of Maryland are lower today than they were during your last year in office. No doubt voters will be very interested in your spending record given the state of the national economy.
Voters and opinion leaders are already aware that you were the only incumbent governor in the country to lose re-election in November. Sure it was a bad year for Republicans after six years of George Bush, but you were the only incumbent governor of either party to lose re-election. So, as you prepare your poll and focus groups, I recommend you ask whether you would, yet again:
· Cut funding for K-12 public education, since you failed to fully-fund Thornton while you were in office.
· Roll-back the progress we have made to make college more affordable by increasing college tuition by over 40% again, as you did during your term in office.
· Start raiding Program Open Space dollars instead of making difficult decisions to balance the budget.
· Block any increase in the minimum wage for hard working Marylanders.
Warm Regards,
Susan W. Turnbull
Chair, Maryland State Democratic Party
P.S. Please also be sure that you ask voters about your flip flop on slots, which you supported for all four years of your Administration as the centerpiece of your budget program, only to oppose in last year’s referendum, which passed with 59% of support from Maryland’s voters.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Meeting the New Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party
By Marc Korman.
This past weekend I attended the Young Democrats of Maryland Convention. Among the speakers was the Maryland Democratic Party’s new chair, Susie Turnbull.
A few ill informed pundits said the selection of Susie indicated a power shift from Baltimore to Montgomery County. But as local political junkies know, the two chairs preceding Cryor were from Montgomery County: Terry Lierman and Ike Leggett. So while it is nice that Governor O’Malley selected Susie, it is no replacement for giving the county a bigger voice in his Cabinet or some more attention on policy issues.
Full disclosure, Susie and I live nearby one another in Bethesda and I consider her a personal friend. Susie most recently served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, where she tirelessly traveled the country helping to elect Democrats. Her local political activism dates back to 1982, when she volunteered for Congressman Mike Barnes reelection campaign. She later served on, and then chaired, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. She has also championed young people, which her attendance at the Young Democrats of Maryland convention demonstrates.
But Susie has a tough job ahead of her. Sure, there’s little risk that Democratic dominance will decline on her watch, but stagnation may be a problem. Last year, the Party raised $2.9 million, the most ever. Given the economy it will be hard to match that feat, especially without a presidential election. Although, I suspect the reason there have been so many Montgomery County Party Chairs lately is to support the massive fundraising efforts.
At the meeting, Susie spoke about getting youth more involved and the need to adapt new technology. Susie encouraged the Young Democrats to run for their local central committees and attend party events, as well as look for open seats to run for. She also encouraged us to focus our Facebook status messages, tweets, and blog posts on political issues. To paraphrase, she thinks Facebook is effective as a tool if we talk about politics and not broadcasting that we are brushing our teeth. She has tasked the new Young Dems president, Jake Weissman(SP), with getting each of the Maryland Democratic Party Executive Committee members on to Facebook.
I have witnessed the beginning of the last three Maryland Democratic Party chairs’ terms. Each one discusses youth and new technology, but the follow through, not the nice words, will be the true test. In 2006, Party Chair Terry Lierman was one of the few insiders to support Craig Rice’s quixotic campaign to oust Republican Jean Cryor. In 2007, Michael Cryor helped organize a low dollar event in Montgomery County so young people could meet him. That is the type of follow through Susie needs to emulate.
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