Former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest put aside their longstanding distaste for each other for a few minutes this morning to stand next to Sen. John McCain, who has all but wrapped up his party's presidential nomination.
But they didn't stand side by side, and the distance between them -- maybe six feet or more as they stood behind McCain's podium -- was noticeable. Ehrlich has endorsed one of Gilchrest's opponents, state Sen. Andrew P. Harris, in the bitterly contested Republican primary in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.
The ill feelings between Ehrlich and Gilchrest stem from the congressman's decision in 2004 to speak out against the former governor's plan to legalize slot machine gambling at an Annapolis hearing.
Asked about standing next to his rival, Gilchrest offered this bit of boilerplate:
"Well, we have strong differences of opinions in America, and yet we can still stand next to each other, which is what's good about America, for the public to see."
Gilchrest said he felt optimistic about the race and would visit every county in his district today -- a total of about 12, spanning more than 100 miles -- winding down at around midnight.
"I always feel good," he said. "I had a pretty good breakfast. I eat healthy, exercise, I have a free conscience, I have a good soul, that's what counts in the long run."
