http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.gop20dec20,0,7605813.story?coll=bal-local-headlines
From the Baltimore Sun
GOP's top man in House vows a strong voice
O'Donnell's stance trumps conciliatory approach in race for minority
leader
By Andrew A. Green
Sun reporter
December 20, 2006
Republicans in the House of Delegates chose one of Gov. Robert L.
Ehrlich Jr.'s most outspoken backers as minority leader yesterday,
signaling a desire to provide a vocal opposition to the Democrats who
now control the governorship as well as the legislature.
Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell, the Southern Maryland Republican who served
as minority whip for the last four years, will move up to the role of
minority leader when the legislature reconvenes in January, taking over
the spot held by state Sen.-elect George C. Edwards. Republicans
elected Del. Christopher B. Shank of Washington County as the new
minority whip.
With Ehrlich's loss, O'Donnell said, it will be incumbent on Republican
leaders in the legislature to act as the voice of opposition to the
Democratic Party.
"We will work very closely with our colleagues in the Senate and the
state party to articulate what we believe represents the views of
hundreds of thousands of Marylanders," O'Donnell said. "We will be
respectful in our tone. We will look for areas of collegiality, but on
matters of principle, we will be aggressive."
O'Donnell faced a strong challenge from Del. A. Wade Kach, a Baltimore
County Republican who was backed by a large contingent in the House
caucus who wanted to establish a more collaborative relationship with
the Democratic leaders of the chamber.
O'Donnell also faced criticism from some in his caucus as a strong
proponent of an election strategy that focused on trying to pick up
seats rather than protect incumbents. The GOP lost six seats in the
House in the November election, leaving it at a 37-104 disadvantage.
Fallout from the election could also complicate the Republican caucus'
dealings with the legislature. Among the Democratic legislators
unsuccessfully targeted by the GOP is Del. Norman H. Conway, the
powerful chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. O'Donnell said
he expects bygones to be bygones.
"We went through a very trying election cycle," O'Donnell said. "I was
certainly targeted in my election. ... Now it's time to move on with
the people's business."
The selection of O'Donnell and Shank comes a day after the Senate
Republican caucus selected a leader from a different mold than
O'Donnell. The Senate caucus chose Sen. David R. Brinkley, a relatively
quiet, behind-the-scenes leader from Frederick County, over Sen. Andrew
P. Harris, the Baltimore County Republican known for his aggressive
opposition to the Democratic leadership.
Republicans in the legislature, fresh from four years during which an
Ehrlich administration gave them more influence over state policy than
they had seen in a generation, have spent the last several weeks
debating how best to maintain relevance in the Democrat-dominated
capital. O'Donnell and Shank said the GOP has had success in
influencing policy when in so distinct a minority before and can do so
again -- for example, by publicizing their proposals for spending cuts.
"When there is a proposal for a tax increase ... it is our job to
express an alternative," Shank said. "Of course, we have to work with
the Democrats, and it's not about throwing bombs, but it is about
letting the people of Maryland know there are choices, and in a free
and fair electoral system, the public gets to decide at the end of the
term."
However, Republicans don't have the numbers to end a filibuster in the
Senate or override a veto of the governor -- which each take a
three-fifths majority.
A spokesman for Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley said the Democrat called
Brinkley yesterday to offer his congratulations and to request a
meeting. He intends to do the same with the new House leaders, the
spokesman said.
House Speaker Michael E. Busch also announced the appointments of new
members of his leadership team yesterday. Busch named Del. Shane E.
Pendergrass of Howard County deputy majority leader and Del. Dan K.
Morhaim of Baltimore County assistant majority leader.
andy.green@baltsun.com
Copyright © 2006, The Baltimore Sun