It's ridiculous to hear the comments coming from Bob Ehrlich and his campaign about the slots referendum in Anne Arundel County. "There is a recognition that the state has failed," said Ehrlich spokesman Henry Fawell. "Bob Ehrlich supported slots seven years ago. The only people making money off slots are the lobbyists and the slot machine manufacturers." ("Slots referendum could impact governor's race," July 25.)

Isn't it hypocritical to make such comments when Mr. Ehrlich was hired by the Cordish Cos. and paid as a "government affairs consultant" to win support for the proposed slots parlor at Arundel Mills? In other words, he is one of "the only people making money" (as his own campaign puts it) from the back and forth over the proposed site.

Further, aren't such comments deflecting attention from the fact that regardless of Mr. Ehrlich's long support of slots, he was not able to even get a comprehensive slots bill through the Maryland legislature? Bob Ehrlich failed to get slots up and running as governor, and has failed again to get slots up and running as a private "government affairs consultant."

James Alexander, Lutherville