Ehrlich Issues Double Salvo On Ex-Aide, Purge of Staff

Washington Post ^ | 02/12/05 | David Snyder and Matthew Mosk

[conservative in nyc]

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and his aides went on the offensive yesterday, asserting that longtime aide Joseph Steffen acted alone in propagating rumors about Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and calling accusations that Steffen participated in a purge of Democrats in state agencies "a lie."

Ehrlich (R) said he was not concerned about a possible investigation into Steffen's activities by the General Assembly. "Let that investigation go where that investigation leads," he said at a news conference. "We welcome it."

Ehrlich also said "everybody fully understands" that Steffen acted alone.

The governor ousted Steffen on Tuesday night, shortly after a reporter presented him with private e-mails that Steffen had sent discussing his role in spreading rumors about O'Malley (D), a possible rival next year.

"This was one person doing something he shouldn't have done," Ehrlich said yesterday. "I don't know how many ways I can say it. It was wrong."

Asked to explain how Ehrlich knows that Steffen acted by himself, spokesman Greg Massoni said: "Joe Steffen has given his word. . . . The governor gave his word."

Later, Ehrlich's appointments secretary defended the Republican administration's employment practices. "The Ehrlich administration has never fired a single state employee for being a Democrat," said Lawrence J. Hogan. "Not one."

[conservative in nyc]

This will appear on Page B01 of tomorrow's Washington Post. Free Republic is not mentioned.

[NonValueAdded]

Interesting that mention of FR is dropped. Do you think it is because the posting record does not support the initial allegations? I guess it is a retraction of sorts. I can't wait to hear what Jim Robinson has to say about MD4BUSH!

[conservative in nyc]

Giving the WaPo the benefit of the doubt, Free Republic's not central to today's WaPo story -- a report on Governor Ehrlich's press conference on the Maryland Democrat establishment's accusations.

[NonValueAdded]

Well, looks like I wasn't the only one to spot the shift: see When is a Scandal Downgraded to an Uproar? When The Washington Post Changes the Headline (NCPAC)

[Stentor]

MD4BUSH...Who Are You? [O'Malley - Democrat sleaze]

[NonValueAdded]

Yeah,

Sorry to be so reluctant to name names... waiting on the legalities.
48 posted on 02/19/2005 5:22:08 PM EST by Jim Robinson

here