I would describe Ehrlich as a Rudy Guiliani conservative, which is about as conservative you can be and still get elected statewide in Maryland. His strongest attribute as a politician is his straightforwardness... whether you agree or disagree with him, you always know where he stands.
The democrat he defeated in '02 was Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the sitting Lt. Gov. at the time. She considered the election a mere formality on the way to her coronation.
He used to be my state rep and congressman before I went to VA. Personally he is more conservative than he is politically. He does it to set up a coalition to get elected.
He walloped KKT nice, didn't he?