Welcome to the Kratovil.com campaign blog. We'll regularly post news and updates from the campaign trail here on the blog, so check back often for updates!
Today WBAL covered the Candidates Forum held on Sunday in Queen Anne’s County. The story highlighted the fundamental differences between the two candidates, stating that “the candidates view the world differently.” The story also noted that Harris recently said he doesn’t “know what independent means,” and Kratovil’s opening statement underscoring his ability to “work across party lines to solve problems.”
Harris’s statement punctuates his 12-year record of partisanship...
Andy Harris, the national Republican Party, and obscure outside groups that do not have to disclose their donors have continued to run ads making false claims about Frank Kratovil. Here are the facts.
FALSE CLAIM: Frank Kratovil follows the party line.
FACT: Frank Kratovil has been ranked one of the top 10 most independent members of Congress. The statistics that Harris and his allies are using are misleading. As reported by The Hill magazine, the entire Congress votes the same way on more than 50% of all votes -- these include measures to honor veterans and recognize Constitution Day. Even members of Republican leadership like John Boehner and Eric Cantor vote with Nancy Pelosi nearly 60% of the time. Frank Kratovil has a proven record of independent leadership. He has voted against $6 trillion in wasteful spending including the health care bill, the $3.4 trillion federal budget, and the bank bailout. Newspapers describe Kratovil as “not afraid to defy Pelosi” and “more than willing to go against his party.” Frank has been endorsed by the Harford Aegis, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the NRA and former Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest.
FALSE CLAIM: Kratovil hurt Maryland employment by supporting the Recovery Act.
FACT: Economists from across the political spectrum agree that...
Yesterday The Hill magazine published an article reiterating the misleading aspect of statistics on the frequency of voting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. From The Hill: The House Republican leader, Rep. John Boehner (Ohio), votes with liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a majority of the time…. The percentages do not reveal a hidden bipartisanship in the rancorous 111th Congress, but they do throw into sharp relief the statistic that campaign ad makers use more than any other to cast opponents as ideological rubberstamps. The Hill article highlights the extremely flawed logic behind Harris’s false claims attacking Kratovil’s record of independent leadership.
Today The Aegis published its 2010 endorsement for Frank Kratovil. Despite having endorsed Andy Harris in the 2008 election, The Aegis cited the fact that Kratovil has proven his independence and commitment to the 1st District.
The editorial speaks of Kratovil’s willingness “to be part of the solution while protecting the conservative interests of constituents.” In contrast, the paper cited Harris’s ”eight-year record as an obstructionist state senator.”
The endorsement notes that Kratovil has “delivered to his District” while Harris had “virtually nothing accomplished to benefit his Harford constituents,” saying his record “portends more of the same if he goes to Congress.” The Aegis clearly laid out the choice facing voters this election — Frank Kratovil, a moderate Congressman focused on solutions or state Senator Andy Harris, “someone who stands apart and criticizes and brings nothing to the table.”
The endorsement reflects Frank’s proven record of independent leadership, having worked to bring fiscal restraint to Washington by voting against more than $6 trillion in wasteful spending. Frank has also fought to create and save jobs in the 1st District by expanding tax credits for small business, protect the Chesapeake Bay while balancing the needs of the region’s agriculture industry, and improve services for veterans.
The Aegis endorsement comes on the heels of endorsements from the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC and the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police. With 20 days until Election Day, momentum is clearly building for Frank Kratovil.
From The Aegis, October 13, 2010: