It seems that Ellen R. Sauerbrey's handlers and spin artists have taught her the basic lesson of Maryland politics: In this heavily Democratic state, no Republican can be elected without the support of many moderate Democratic voters.
Theodore R. McKeldin, a recognized integrationist, had no difficulty defeating the segregationist H.C. "Curley" Byrd for the governorship with the help of many progressive Democrats.
Charles McC. Mathias, a recognized moderate Republican, easily defeated his conservative opponent, J. Glenn Beall, for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Even Spiro T. Agnew was preferred by Democrats over the racist Democratic candidate for governor, George P. Mahoney.
The difference, however, between these moderate Republicans and the new, improved moderate, Ellen R. Sauerbrey, is that their voting records showed them to be what they claimed to be, and hers does not.
In the legislature, she voted "no" on legislation to prevent anti-abortion extremists from approaching family planning clinics, against environmental legislation, against children's health insurance that would have provided coverage at minimal cost, against a bill allowing employees to sue for back wages, against protecting the constitutional rights of the disabled and against fair housing legislation and Maryland's Civil Rights Act.
Ms. Sauerbrey is against measures to control guns, even assault weapons. She opposed business incentive programs, freedom of choice for women and almost everything that she is now for the moment trying to appear to support or not to oppose.
She calls for pie-in-the-sky tax reductions that would damage Maryland's economy and shift the tax burden from one group to a more vulnerable one in raising necessary funds to maintain services.
Despite constitutional guarantees of separation of church and state, she supports a voucher program that would divert hundreds of millions of dollars to private schools from the public schools, which are essential to a functioning democracy.
In all that she truly believes and has supported, she is a comrade of religious right-wing extremists.
These are the true colors of the tiger that purrs like a pussycat for campaign purposes. But most Democratic voters see through the disguise.
Jack L. Levin
Baltimore
Blind to schools
Your endorsement of Gov. Parris N. Glendening shows your paper has blinders on when it comes to what is happening in our schools.
I have been teaching in Maryland schools for the past 26 years, and I am a product of the public schools and Towson State University.
The first issue is discipline.
Why should a child who has three or four letters after his or her name (ADD or ADHD, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hypertensive disorder) be permitted to disrupt a classroom and be defended by lawyers and child advocates while no one speaks for the 27 to 30 classmates?
Instead of teaching all the children, the teacher must accommodate one, two or three children while the rest of the class goes untaught.
The "teachers' governor" wants to make discipline a priority.
I have been in a Glendening school, and it is as undisciplined today as it was four years ago.
Maryland kids need a new leader who is not afraid to mention getting tough on discipline.
Patricia A. Patterson
Falling Waters, W.Va.
The writer is a teacher at Western Heights Middle School in Hagerstown.
Just a political con
In his column "Considering the realities of governorship" (Oct. 11), Barry Rascovar asked the right question but came up with a muddled answer.
The question: "Should Ellen R. Sauerbrey's revised positions on issues be taken seriously, or is it a political con?
From this African-American perspective, her revised positions are insincere and are all about getting elected. Her history with the African-American community provides us with a perfect example.
In her years in the Maryland General Assembly, when she wasn't voting against our interests, she was ignoring us.
Four years ago, when she ran for governor, she ignored our vote. When she lost the election, she viciously attacked the integrity of the African-American leadership of Baltimore City. She alleged that they conspired to commit fraud and deny her the victory.
Her allegations were thoroughly investigated and found to be without merit.
This year, as she again runs for governor, she has changed her tactics. She visits our churches and she makes sure we are seen in her television ads. All of a sudden, she wants to be our friend.
Make no mistake about it, Ms. Sauerbrey has never been, and is not now, our friend. It's all a political con.
The day after the general election, the real Ellen Sauerbrey will reappear. African Americans can only hope that she doesn't reappear as governor.
William B. Garrett
Baltimore
Governor riding coattails
I have watched the Maryland gubernatorial debate and am left with a reinforced belief that the governor is relying on everyone's reputation but his own.
In the debate, he kept pointing out his reliance on Maryland's resident Kennedy for political support.
Mr. Glendening jumped onto the coattails of popular Democrats such as U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman and U.S. Rep. Paul McHale. At the time, they were garnering support for decrying President Clinton's handling of his affair with Monica Lewinsky. There's no problem with taking a stand and following those with whom you agree.
Unfortunately, the illusion that the governor was criticizing Mr. Clinton on moral grounds evaporated when he jumped back on the president's coattails when Mr. Clinton's popularity rebounded. The governor claimed he was changing positions because the president apologized. The problem with this argument is that the president hasn't made anymore convincing an apology since Mr. Glendening's snubbing than he had before it.
Lastly, I've noticed Mr. Glendening's coattail-riding on the campaign signs here in Baltimore County. The Glendenning-Townsend campaign has not erected any campaign signs of its own. Instead, it has tacked a few tiny campaign signs to the large (and undoubtedly expensive) signs for popular county and state candidates.
This wouldn't be so striking if most of the Glendening-Townsend signs had not mysteriously disappeared recently. Now, the only candidate allowing the incumbents' signs to ride atop his own is County Executive Dutch Ruppersberger.
Could it be that other local Democrats decided they didn't want the Glendening dead weight holding them back?
David R. Del Favero
Owings Mills
Tax cut doesn't add up
I suspect that Ellen Sauerbrey spent so much time in her
phonics classes that she missed math class. Basic mathematics teaches that it is impossible to grant a huge tax cut while greatly increasing spending for education without sacrificing other programs. And at her speech to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, she promised more money for tourism, the arts and museums.
How stupid does she think the voters are? I'm afraid that if Maryland voters elect Ms. Sauerbrey, they'll get exactly what they deserve.
Susan Hartman
Baltimore
Lesser of evils
Once again the time has come to cast our ballots for the lesser of two evils. Can anyone remember the last time we voted for a Maryland gubernatorial candidate we truly believed in?
I'm a staunch liberal Democrat, but as the years pass, it becomes increasingly more difficult to cast my ballot for a candidate rather than to vote against his or her opponent. I am ashamed to say that I have even considered not voting at all, but I feel that as an American it is my obligation to do so.
Richard Crystal
Baltimore
Longevity corrupts
In the coming election for governor, voters should keep in mind that the longer a person's in office, the more power they have and the more corruption occurs as underlings seek to curry favor.
We have found this to be true of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The secretary is appointed by the governor and only answerable to him.
The governor has bypassed the legislature to enact laws that have done enormous damage to fishermen. The DNR doesn't notify fishermen of hearings, doesn't listen to them, and at a recent hearing cut off a person speaking for the fishermen's side after a couple of minutes while it let a state senator opposed to fishermen ramble.
There isn't free speech for fishermen under the Glendening administration.
Beverly Lynch
Newark
Environmental records
In choosing out next governor, Marylanders should take into consideration the excellent environmental record of Gov. Parris N. Glendening as opposed to the abysmal record of former Del. Ellen R. Sauerbrey, who consistently voted against environmental protections.
Our basic life-support systems are dependent upon the preservation of natural diversity. The continued loss of species, gene pools and habitats through the destruction of complex ecological systems that have taken eons to develop cannot continue without dire consequences.
In Maryland, Mr. Glendening has done more to protect biological diversity than any governor by championing wildlands preservation. It took 25 years under four administrations to establish 14,000 acres of wildlands. Within two years, and at no cost, Mr. Glendening added 24,000 acres of the greatest type of protection to lands already owned by the state such as forests, parks and wildlife areas.
A sound economy must be built on a healthy environment, and Mr. Glendening has worked hard to achieve both.
Ajax Eastman
Baltimore
Sauerbrey is good business
As a small business partner with employees who live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, I had to respond to "Better information needed to understand tax picture" (Oct.15).
The state personal income tax is what most affects most working people in Maryland and elsewhere. Pennsylvania's state income tax rate is 2.8 percent, New Jersey's is 2.3 percent and the average for my Maryland employees is 4.8 percent.
These figures clearly show that even if we reduce our state personal income tax by the additional 14 percent desired by Ellen R. Sauerbrey, Maryland's personal income tax rate will still be much higher than either Pennsylvania's or New Jersey's. If Marylanders "are still crying out for tax relief," as Ms. Sauerbrey claims, the relief they seek is surely justified.
Tom Decker
Severna Park
Thinking for herself?
The recent series of articles profiling the gubernatorial candidates has been very helpful tome in deciding this years voting choice. The piece that ran on Ellen Sauerbrey a few weeks ago has had me thinking about her in a new light.
Her struggle to answer a young woman about her stance on reproductive freedom was touching as I'm sure she meant it to be. The fact that she accepted her husband's reluctance to adopt may seem admirable to some, but to the thousands of Maryland women who are struggling to have, raise and love their children, either biological or adopted, it shows her lack of understanding for women's issues.
I'm not saying you have to bear children to care about them, but women put themselves in physical and economic jeopardy to have a child or protect the future of the ones they already have. They often do this with the support of a spouse, but it is not uncommon for a woman to wage a battle within a relationship in order to have children.
Ms. Sauerbrey's story, as printed in The Sun, shows a history of this sort of acceptance. When she lived at home with her working-class father, she accepted his ways and ideas as her own. When she married a comfortable conservative, she quickly accepted his ideas. She abandoned her career when he suggested it. She took up politics at his suggestion. Four years ago she a waged long, tough campaign espousing the Newt Gingrich way of thinking.
The citizens of Maryland may one day elect a woman as governor. Let's hope that she can think for herself.
Lynda Gomeringer
Baltimore
A fighter who understands
I strongly believe that Ellen R. Sauerbrey should be Maryland's next governor. She has a good background and fights strongly for the issues she believes in. If she is elected, she will work hard to improve our economy.
As a former public school teacher and 16-year legislator, she knows the problems common people face. This helps her to understand the steps that are necessary to provide a good education, safe neighborhoods and improved job opportunities.
Daniel Roberts
Laurel
Taxes serve a purpose
The biggest issue that bothers me about Ellen R. Sauerbrey is the tax cut that she wants to give. I am only 16 years old, but I worked all summer trying to make money, and one-fifth of my money was taken out in taxes. I was a little angry at first, but then I thought about the things that I was getting for that money, such as an education.
Gov. Parris N. Glendening has a strong record on education, environment, crime and gun control, and he has had a positive impact on the economy. In education, there has been a 33 percent increase in spending for teachers, textbooks and classroom supplies.
He acted quickly to combat threat of Pfiesteria in the Chesapeake Bay while other affected states have denied the problem and allowed it to continue.
Christopher J. Grosso
Columbia
Positive characteristics
Having worked for Ellen R. Sauerbrey during her eight years as minority leader in the Maryland House of Delegates and having known her for 20 years, the positive characteristics I'd attribute to her are honesty, integrity, intelligence, perseverance, dedication, optimistic, energetic and caring.
Ms. Sauerbrey cares that our hard-earned tax money is used wisely.
She is one of the hardest working people I've ever known. She spent many a late night at the office going over legislation and testimony to understand the issues before her. She wrote
in-depth letters to her constituents and people outside her district explaining her views, be they in support of or opposition to those of the the writer.
A columnist of your paper labeled her a "pit bull." Wrong. Judging from the negative ads and the venom dripping from some pens, the labels "pit bulls" and "attack dogs" belong to the Glendening camp and those associated with it.
The lady, and she is very much a lady, deserves our support and vote.
Vivian M. Chojnowski
Annapolis
Present or future?
It has long been said that a statesman looks toward the future while a politician looks only at the present. If one looks at the two candidates for Maryland governor in this light, considering Ellen R. Sauerbrey's voting record in the legislature and Gov. Parris N. Glendening's record in pushing legislation, the differences in their goals become quite clear.
Ms. Sauerbrey's votes show that today's economics are of primary importance to her. She seldom deviates from her dollar-driven, short-sighted ideology. Today's convenience and profit are her objectives, regardless of what happens to Maryland as a place for future citizens.
Witness the fact that the Maryland League of Conservation Voters gave her the lowest environmental rating of all members of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1991 to 1994.
The governor, on the other hand, has been taking the long view in sponsoring (and getting) legislation preserving the health of the bay, cleaning the air, curbing sprawl, setting aside more green space and holding the line against more gambling -- all things that may not optimize present profits but will make Maryland a nicer place.
Dan Lynch
Glen Burnie
Democrats for Sauerbrey
Recently, I had the opportunity to have breakfast with Ellen R. Sauerbrey at the home of American Joe Mediusiewski. It was a gathering of Democrats interested in the candidacy of Ms. Sauerbrey. The experience was wonderful.
I found her to be warm, compassionate, intelligent and of the fortitude required for the job of governor of the Maryland. In this day of voter apathy, sexual scandals, integrity issues and general disinterest, it is refreshing to have the prospect of voting for a candidate who genuinely represents optimism for Maryland and all its citizens.
Too many times in recent years voters have been faced with the dilemma of voting for the lesser of two evils. With Ms. Sauerbrey's candidacy, this election is the antithesis of past elections where citizens have had little choice. Our times are more perilous than ever. We must enter the next century with leadership that can meet the challenge.
Howard Schapiro
Baltimore
Gun safety and choice
Another physician killed by an anti-choice, gun-toting nut. I am appalled and distraught.
Rational voters in Maryland need to remember that there is only one pro-choice, gun-control candidate for governor of our state: Parris N. Glendening.
The "new" Ellen R. Sauerbrey cannot hide from her 16-year voting record against a woman's right to choose and gun safety. Women and men who care should support the consistent pro-choice team of Glendening-Townsend.
Amy Grace
Baltimore
Democratic arrogance
Regarding the story "Democrats fire warning shot at GOP" (Oct. 26), I have never seen such arrogance as expressed by Sen. Barbara A. Hoffman. Doesn't she realize that it will be the people's choice if Ellen R, Sauerbrey is elected governor?
The way I see it, Ms. Hoffman has openly declared war on the voters. Who does she think she is to tell the people of Maryland that her desires are more important than the desires of the people? That is what is wrong with the Democratic politicians; they think that they are not accountable to the people. They feel that they have full control of everything, and the people don't count.
Let's vote these arrogant politicians into oblivion on Nov. 3.
Thomas R. Krell
Reisterstown
Not on Harriet's List
Believing that more women should be elected to office, I became the founding chair of Harriet's List in 1993. That group has been selective in raising money for progressive, pro-choice, Democratic women because we believe such women are more supportive of legislation affecting women and families.
In 1994, Harriet's List supported Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in her bid to become Maryland's first woman lieutenant governor. We're glad we did. Over the past four years, Ms. Townsend and Gov. Parris N. Glendening have worked to protect a woman's right to choose; pass the toughest gun laws in the nation; increase aid to schools for more teachers, textbooks, classroom supplies and school construction; provide health care to 60,000 children and pregnant women who were not covered; and provide more than $18 million for affordable rental housing for senior citizens.
I am not supporting a woman for governor on Nov. 3. During her time in the legislature, Ellen R. Sauerbrey voted against and tried to defeat legislation supporting a woman's right to choose. She also voted against: gun-control legislation, including the banning Saturday Night Specials and assault weapons; every key environmental bill, including legislation to protect the Chesapeake Bay; the Civil Rights Act of 1992; and a 1989 proposal to protect employees from job discrimination. Further, in 1992, she proposed to reduce funding for education by $317 million and to cut aid to local governments, which would have had an impact on local police.
Even Little Red Riding Hood could recognize this wolf in sheep's clothing.
Sayra Wells Meyerhoff
Baltimore
Pub Date: 10/31/98