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From the Baltimore Sun

Ehrlich may work on GOP race for president in 2008
Regional digest
 

December 15, 2006

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who lost his bid last month for a second term, says he may consider working for a Republican presidential campaign for 2008.

Ehrlich, a former congressman who in 2002 became Maryland's first Republican governor in a generation, said he has been approached about possible roles in the presidential campaigns of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who is weighing a bid, and former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.

Ehrlich did not rule out a personal run for office in the future, but he said it was premature to say whether he would run again.

"There is a generally favorable view of our administration around the country," Ehrlich told reporters Wednesday in a luncheon he held for newspapers that endorsed him. The Associated Press, which does not make political endorsements, was not invited.

"We've been approached by the Romney campaign and the Giuliani" campaign about possible roles, Ehrlich said, though he didn't say what those roles would be.

Asked about his political future, he said, "The trend lines at present in our state are not very good for someone with my views and my values."

The governor said he has "very few regrets" about his term, though he noted his failure to get lawmakers to approve slot machine gambling as a disappointment.

Ehrlich was defeated for re-election by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, a Democrat. Ehrlich said he has bought a home outside Annapolis but has not taken a new job.

"There are a lot of options out there, and there are a lot of people talking to us," Ehrlich said. "I know that part of my life will be taken up with helping people who want my help. More likely than not, I may do some media."

First lady Kendel Ehrlich attended the lunch, and told reporters that she is preparing to move out of Government House and has given a tour of the mansion to incoming first lady Katie Curran O'Malley.

Asked what advice she had for the new first lady, Mrs. Ehrlich said she should "do whatever is right for her family."

Copyright © 2006, The Baltimore Sun