Latest news with #WashingtonCollege
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Democrats stuck in political ‘wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?
The Democratic Party suffered significant blows in 2024 with President Donald Trump's reelection and the narrow loss of both chambers of Congress. Now, months into the president's second nonconsecutive term, Democratic leadership is left to analyze how the party should move forward. "I do think, right now, the party … is sort of in the wilderness," said Flavio Hickel Jr., an associate professor of political science at Washington College. Recent election results aren't providing much clarity. In April, Democrat-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump's pick to fill a seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court by 10 points - despite tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk dumping millions of dollars into the race. But last week, incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a progressive Democrat in a city that leans blue, lost his primary election bid, leaving some to wonder if the national party will take a more centrist foothold as it turns its eyes to the 2026 midterm elections. "You're going to see that kind of conflict as the party figures out what it wants to do" and "how it can reconfigure," Hickel said. There was clear infighting among Democrats in 2024, as President Joe Biden waited nearly a month before the Democratic National Convention to announce his withdrawal from the race, giving Vice President Kamala Harris little time to campaign against a formidable Republican candidate like Trump. The party found itself split between voters who thought Biden was too old and not nearly progressive enough, and those who stood by the incumbent out of party loyalty or otherwise. Analysts say that battle is likely to continue in the 2026 midterm elections. "There's obviously going to be a fight in the party between progressives and moderates and, as is normal, both are going to claim that the other side had too much influence," said Todd Eberly, a professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland. "Loss really does bring out divisions among the party as they try to figure out the best path forward for them." But political scientists are also noticing a generational shift among the Democratic Party. Roger Hartley, the dean of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, said a "changing of the guard" is slowly occurring as party mainstays like Biden and U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi prepare to move on. That shift was visible in Maryland in 2024, as U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersburger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin declined to seek reelection, paving the way for a younger, more diverse state congressional delegation. "Some of this, I think, is generational, and it's somewhat natural," Hartley said. But, will we see Democrats move to the center, "or are they going to act upon this backlash and make the argument that they just didn't have the right candidates in place?" Regardless, Hartley said that parties tend to reevaluate their values and message after major losses. Like the Republican Party under former President Barack Obama, Hartley said Democrats are struggling to identify a path forward and determining if their values that are under attack, like DEI and immigration, are "worth fighting to the mat for." If they are, he said, they'll run those candidates - likely some with little national name recognition, like governors or current members of Congress. "Democrats probably want fresh and or exciting faces, and that's what they're looking for, and they're looking at their bench and they're trying to find those fresh, exciting faces who can appeal to their voters," Hartley said. Turning point As midterm campaigns begin to ramp up, the Maryland Democratic Party is focused on giving voters a seat at the table and will support candidates who are "willing to fight like hell versus" those interested in maintaining the status quo, said Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Joe Francaviglia. "The Maryland Democratic Party is constantly trying to make sure we bring more voters into the fold and hear as many voices as possible," Francaviglia said. "We never want to be caught by surprise, and so we see election results from across the country and try to understand what are voters saying while trying to put forward our vision for what can make Maryland and our party as strong as possible." Maryland's Democratic Party is also at a critical turning point, as Chair Ken Ulman prepares to step down. Hickel said that this could provide an opportunity for the state party to undergo a tactical shift as it gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland has a Democratic supermajority and outward unity among its top elected officials. Political infighting among progressive and conservative members of the Democratic Party in a small blue state like Maryland could splinter integrity, making it easier to oust incumbents or flip some seats red. In 2026, every seat in Maryland's 188-member General Assembly will be up for election, and Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, both Democrats, will campaign for their respective second terms in office. Each of the state's U.S. House representatives will also be up for reelection. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Trump ally and the sole Republican member of the Maryland congressional delegation, could also face a significant Democratic challenger. In spite of problems seen among the national party and an incoming state party chair, Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who won his seat in November, said that there is much "more that unites Democrats, especially in this moment," than divides, and the Trump administration is crystalizing just how stark of a difference there is between Democrats and Republicans." "We know that actions, including legislation we just considered last night" to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy, eliminate health care coverage for millions of Americans, and end food programs for hungry children "is a reminder of precisely that," Olszewski said in an interview Friday afternoon. "I think were having really important conversations within our party about what our priorities should be." But, with only a little over a year until the midterm elections, will Democrats be able to unify themselves enough to take back Congress? Eberly says, "Absolutely … just because that's what we do." "We elect a unifying government in the general election" and flip Congress in the midterms, he said. "Republicans, right now, in Congress have a very narrow majority" and Trump has an approval rating in the low 40s. "That's a recipe for the party out of power to pick up somewhere around 30 seats." ---------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats stuck in political ‘wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?
The Democratic Party suffered significant blows in 2024 with President Donald Trump's reelection and the narrow loss of both chambers of Congress. Now, months into the president's second nonconsecutive term, Democratic leadership is left to analyze how the party should move forward. 'I do think, right now, the party … is sort of in the wilderness,' said Flavio Hickel Jr., an associate professor of political science at Washington College. Recent election results aren't providing much clarity. In April, Democrat-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump's pick to fill a seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court by 10 points — despite tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk dumping millions of dollars into the race. But last week, incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a progressive Democrat in a city that leans blue, lost his primary election bid, leaving some to wonder if the national party will take a more centrist foothold as it turns its eyes to the 2026 midterm elections. 'You're going to see that kind of conflict as the party figures out what it wants to do' and 'how it can reconfigure,' Hickel said. There was clear infighting among Democrats in 2024, as President Joe Biden waited nearly a month before the Democratic National Convention to announce his withdrawal from the race, giving Vice President Kamala Harris little time to campaign against a formidable Republican candidate like Trump. The party found itself split between voters who thought Biden was too old and not nearly progressive enough, and those who stood by the incumbent out of party loyalty or otherwise. Analysts say that battle is likely to continue in the 2026 midterm elections. 'There's obviously going to be a fight in the party between progressives and moderates and, as is normal, both are going to claim that the other side had too much influence,' said Todd Eberly, a professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland. 'Loss really does bring out divisions among the party as they try to figure out the best path forward for them.' But political scientists are also noticing a generational shift among the Democratic Party. Roger Hartley, the dean of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, said a 'changing of the guard' is slowly occurring as party mainstays like Biden and U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi prepare to move on. That shift was visible in Maryland in 2024, as U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersburger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin declined to seek reelection, paving the way for a younger, more diverse state congressional delegation. 'Some of this, I think, is generational, and it's somewhat natural,' Hartley said. But, will we see Democrats move to the center, 'or are they going to act upon this backlash and make the argument that they just didn't have the right candidates in place?' Regardless, Hartley said that parties tend to reevaluate their values and message after major losses. Like the Republican Party under former President Barack Obama, Hartley said Democrats are struggling to identify a path forward and determining if their values that are under attack, like DEI and immigration, are 'worth fighting to the mat for.' If they are, he said, they'll run those candidates — likely some with little national name recognition, like governors or current members of Congress. 'Democrats probably want fresh and or exciting faces, and that's what they're looking for, and they're looking at their bench and they're trying to find those fresh, exciting faces who can appeal to their voters,' Hartley said. As midterm campaigns begin to ramp up, the Maryland Democratic Party is focused on giving voters a seat at the table and will support candidates who are 'willing to fight like hell versus' those interested in maintaining the status quo, said Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Joe Francaviglia. 'The Maryland Democratic Party is constantly trying to make sure we bring more voters into the fold and hear as many voices as possible,' Francaviglia said. 'We never want to be caught by surprise, and so we see election results from across the country and try to understand what are voters saying while trying to put forward our vision for what can make Maryland and our party as strong as possible.' Maryland's Democratic Party is also at a critical turning point, as Chair Ken Ulman prepares to step down. Hickel said that this could provide an opportunity for the state party to undergo a tactical shift as it gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland has a Democratic supermajority and outward unity among its top elected officials. Political infighting among progressive and conservative members of the Democratic Party in a small blue state like Maryland could splinter integrity, making it easier to oust incumbents or flip some seats red. In 2026, every seat in Maryland's 188-member General Assembly will be up for election, and Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, both Democrats, will campaign for their respective second terms in office. Each of the state's U.S. House representatives will also be up for reelection. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Trump ally and the sole Republican member of the Maryland congressional delegation, could also face a significant Democratic challenger. In spite of problems seen among the national party and an incoming state party chair, Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who won his seat in November, said that there is much 'more that unites Democrats, especially in this moment,' than divides, and the Trump administration is crystalizing just how stark of a difference there is between Democrats and Republicans.' 'We know that actions, including legislation we just considered last night' to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy, eliminate health care coverage for millions of Americans, and end food programs for hungry children 'is a reminder of precisely that,' Olszewski said in an interview Friday afternoon. 'I think were having really important conversations within our party about what our priorities should be.' But, with only a little over a year until the midterm elections, will Democrats be able to unify themselves enough to take back Congress? Eberly says, 'Absolutely … just because that's what we do.' 'We elect a unifying government in the general election' and flip Congress in the midterms, he said. 'Republicans, right now, in Congress have a very narrow majority' and Trump has an approval rating in the low 40s. 'That's a recipe for the party out of power to pick up somewhere around 30 seats.' ----------
Observer
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Trump marks first 100 days of second term
As he marks 100 days in office, much ink will be spilled on Donald Trump's divisive transformation of the US government, but Democrats are themselves under scrutiny over missteps in opposing his blitz of reforms. In AFP interviews, multiple political analysts said Democrats have become a rudderless, divided party struggling to decide what it stands for. "If I were giving them a letter grade, it would be a C-, below average. They don't understand yet why they lost to Donald Trump," said veteran political strategist Matt Klink. "The party continues to focus on issues that are unpopular with the American public -- men playing in women's sports, support for illegal immigration and fighting cuts, any cuts, to the federal bureaucracy." What's more, "most voters (are) not listening or caring" to Democrats' allegations that Trump is a dictator or authoritarian, Klink said. Booted out of the White House and reduced to a minority in Congress, Democrats' opportunities to make their mark in Trump's Washington are threadbare. But most analysts interviewed by AFP said the party could have better articulated a coherent message, unified around priorities and tactics, and figured out how and when to oppose Trump. "Broadly speaking, I think most Americans would regard congressional Democrats as failing to meet the moment," said Flavio Hickel, a politics professor at Washington College. Central to the frustration is the disconnect between their dire warnings of the threat Trump poses to democracy and their enthusiasm for being seen cooperating with his administration. In a whirlwind first three months in office, Trump has unleashed a trade war, stoked allies' fears that America has switched sides in the Russia-Ukraine war, and unleashed tech billionaire Elon Musk to dismantle much of the federal bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Democratic senators have voted to confirm Trump cabinet appointees, doing little to slow down his breakneck agenda and even voting with Republicans to pass immigration legislation. - Resistance - "We're not going to go after every single issue," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the New York Times in February. "We are picking the most important fights and lying down on the train tracks on those fights." But Schumer -- and potential 2028 presidential contenders like governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer -- have infuriated grassroots activists over various efforts to cooperate with the White House or build bridges with Trump's "MAGA" movement. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have been mocked on social media for ineffective gestures such as silently waving paddles bearing protest slogans during Trump's speech to Congress. Rare glimpses of a fightback have included victory in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and a hugely popular "Fighting Oligarchy" tour by progressive lawmakers Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Popular New Jersey senator Cory Booker provided a possible roadmap for eye-catching opposition, say analysts, with a blockbuster 25-hour Senate speech that made headlines for days. But Madeline Summerville, a former communications advisor and speechwriter for Democratic state senators, said Booker's actual message had been lost in the noise. "The Dems struggle with messaging. They don't understand that you need a rallying cry -- a slogan -- to motivate the masses. And that slogan needs to be clear, concise, and inspiring," she said. "They're calling on people to 'fight oligarchy' but they're not telling us how -- nor is that a very catchy slogan." Andrew Koneschusky, a former communications aide to Schumer, said that he would give Democrats in Congress a D grade, noting that while individual lawmakers were making a splash, "no one seems to be conducting the orchestra." But he was more optimistic about grassroots opposition, which he awarded a B grade, pointing to lawsuits that have had some success in reining Trump in. "After a deafening silence, we're also seeing more visible signs of resistance such as the recent marches in Washington, DC and across the country that drew hundreds of thousands of people," he said. "It feels like Democrats are finally emerging from their post-election funk." Donald Trump's first 100 days back in the US presidency have showcased his unique ability to shock -- and sometimes entertain -- with outrageous remarks that pull no punches. From stroking his ego to berating American allies, here are some of Trump's most memorable quotes since he returned to the White House: -- "I was saved by God to make America great again" Trump cast himself as a messianic-like figure on his first day back in office, as he recounted to US lawmakers how he survived an assassination attempt at a campaign event in Pennsylvania last year. -- "A Dictator without Elections" The president's extraordinary verdict on Volodymyr Zelensky marked a major shift in previously friendly US relations toward the Ukrainian leader, who accused Trump of succumbing to Russian "disinformation." Trump later walked back the comment made in February on his Truth Social platform, asking a journalist, "Did I say that?" -- "These countries are calling us up, kissing my ass" This mocking remark about world leaders made at a Republican conference in April came as countries desperately sought to temper Trump's sweeping tariffs, which upended global markets before he announced a 90-day pause. -- "The Riviera of the Middle East" Trump's startling vision for a US-led takeover and transformation of war-torn Gaza into a luxury resort drew audible gasps at a February news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. -- "Canada should become our Cherished 51st State." America's northern neighbor was furious about this Truth Social post by Trump in February, which sparked real concerns among some Canadians of a looming US annexation attempt. -- "The European Union was formed to screw the United States" Trump set the tone for hostile trade relations with the EU at his first cabinet meeting in February, reversing course on a decades-long record of US backing for the 27-nation economic and political bloc. -- "This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED" Trump, the first convicted felon to be elected president, drew a rare public rebuke from the Supreme Court chief justice after he called for the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg in a Truth Social post in March. Boasberg was one of several judges to curtail Trump's executive power -- in this case over migrant deportation flights -- due to concerns about the legality of his administration's actions. Donald Trump promised to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia within "24 hours" of returning to the White House. Three months in and despite a brief Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the war is still raging, with the prospect of a ceasefire more uncertain than ever. The US president has failed to extract any major concessions from Moscow, despite repeated talks between his administration and Russian officials, and publicly accused Ukraine's wartime leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, of being a "dictator". He has meanwhile embarked on a quest to warm ties with Putin that has alienated Kyiv and driven a wedge between Washington and Europe. Many in Russia are jubilant at the prospect of closer ties with the White House. While in Ukraine, the idea of long-term peace has faded. "Nothing is happening. In real terms, people hear sirens every day, see bombs, and people get killed," the head of the Kyiv School of Economics, Tymofiy Mylovanov, told AFP. "Putin is taking everyone for a ride," he said. Since Trump's inauguration in January, US officials have held several rounds of talks with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in an attempt to reach a truce. In the meantime, Russia has kept up strikes on Ukraine unabated, killing dozens of people in ballistic missile attacks in the past two weeks alone. Ukraine's army has also lost its grip on territory in Russia's western Kursk region, its only notable bargaining chip. "So far, there have been no changes, actually, in our city, it has only gotten worse," Anna Klyshkina, a 29-year-old photographer from Ukraine's Sumy, said of Trump. On Sunday, two Russian ballistic missiles slammed into her city, killing 35 people and wounding more than 100 others in one of the deadliest attacks in months. - 'He's a showman' - There has been little tangible progress on a ceasefire despite Trump's push. Putin rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional and full ceasefire put to him in March. Both sides agreed to halt strikes on energy targets, though no formal agreement was ever put in place; both accused the other of violating it, and Russia said Friday that the order had "expired". Moscow's army has continued its grinding advance across the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, albeit at a slower pace than at the end of last year. It has also pushed Kyiv's troops almost completely out of the Kursk region and advanced into the frontier areas of Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region. Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr said he always had a "negative" opinion of Trump. "And it remains so," the 22-year-old told AFP, sitting on a bench in Sumy on his break. "He's not a politician, he's a showman," he said. The Trump administration briefly cut military aid to Ukraine in March, dealing a major blow to Kyiv. The decision was a stunning reversal of Joe Biden's policy of doing "whatever it takes, as long as it takes" to support Ukraine. Trump has also repeatedly echoed Russian talking points, calling at one point for new elections to replace Zelensky, whom he falsely claimed had a "four percent approval rating". Tensions between the two came to a head in February, when Trump berated Zelensky in a televised meeting at the Oval Office and told him he was being "disrespectful", shocking Washington's allies. Days after Russia's deadly attack on Sumy, Trump renewed his criticism of Zelensky and Ukraine. "You don't start a war against somebody that's 20 times your size," he said, referring to Zelensky. Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022. - 'What is missing is peace' - Trump has also lashed out at Russia, ordering it to "get moving" on securing a deal and telling NBC News last month that he was "pissed off" with Putin. But the tone remains more conciliatory than before. The Kremlin said in March that Trump's dramatic shift in foreign policy largely aligned with its vision, after Washington sided with Moscow twice at the United Nations.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's first 100 days: The (lackluster) opposition score card
As he marks 100 days in office, much ink will be spilt on Donald Trump's divisive transformation of the US government, but Democrats are themelves under scrutiny over missteps in opposing his blitz of reforms. In AFP interviews, multiple political analysts said Democrats have become a rudderless, divided party struggling to decide what it stands for. "If I were giving them a letter grade, it would be a C-, below average. They don't understand yet why they lost to Donald Trump," said veteran political strategist Matt Klink. "The party continues to focus on issues that are unpopular with the American public -- men playing in women's sports, support for illegal immigration and fighting cuts, any cuts, to the federal bureaucracy." What's more, "most voters (are) not listening or caring" to Democrats' allegations that Trump is a dictator or authoritarian, Klink said. Booted out of the White House and reduced to a minority in Congress, Democrats' opportunities to make their mark in Trump's Washington are threadbare. But most analysts interviewed by AFP said the party could have better articulated a coherent message, unified around priorities and tactics and figured out how and when to oppose Trump. "Broadly speaking, I think most Americans would regard congressional Democrats as failing to meet the moment," said Flavio Hickel, a politics professor at Washington College. Central to the frustration is the disconnect between their dire warnings of the threat Trump poses to democracy and their enthusiasm for being seen cooperating with his administration. In a whirlwind first three months in office, Trump has unleashed a trade war, stoked allies' fears America has switched sides in the Russia-Ukraine war and unleashed tech billionaire Elon Musk to dismantle much of the federal bureaucracy. Meanwhile Democratic senators have voted to confirm Trump cabinet appointees, doing little to slow down his breakneck agenda and even voting with Republicans to pass immigration legislation. - Resistance - "We're not going to go after every single issue," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the New York Times in February. "We are picking the most important fights and lying down on the train tracks on those fights." But Schumer -- and potential 2028 presidential contenders like governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer -- have infuriated grassroots activists over various efforts to cooperate with the White House or build bridges with Trump's "MAGA" movement. Meanwhile Democratic lawmakers have been mocked on social media for ineffective gestures such as silently waving paddles bearing protest slogans during Trump's speech to Congress. Rare glimpses of a fightback have included victory in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and a hugely popular "Fighting Oligarchy" tour by progressive lawmakers Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Popular New Jersey senator Cory Booker provided a possible roadmap for eyecatching opposition, say analysts, with a blockbuster 25-hour Senate speech that made headlines for days. But Madeline Summerville, a former communications advisor and speechwriter for Democratic state senators, said Booker's actual message had been lost in the noise. "The Dems struggle with messaging. They don't understand that you need a rallying cry -- a slogan -- to motivate the masses. And that slogan needs to be clear, concise and inspiring," she said. "They're calling on people to 'fight oligarchy' but they're not telling us how -- nor is that a very catchy slogan." Andrew Koneschusky, a former communications aide to Schumer, said that he would give Democrats in Congress a D grade, noting that while individual lawmakers were making a splash, "no one seems to be conducting the orchestra." But he was more optimistic about grassroots opposition, which he awarded a B grade, pointing to lawsuits that have had some success in reining Trump in. "After a deafening silence, we're also seeing more visible signs of resistance such as the recent marches in Washington DC and across the country that drew hundreds of thousands of people," he said. "It feels like Democrats are finally emerging from their post-election funk." ft/tgb
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Analysis: How Gov. Wes Moore is rewriting the narrative on Maryland's economy
BALTIMORE — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore recently signed the largest budget in state history, which includes more than a dozen new taxes and fees. But he continues to tout a tax cut for the middle class. The Democratic governor's Republican critics have quickly pounced on what they see as gaslighting. Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, who represents Carroll and Frederick counties, describes the budget as 'the largest tax increase in Maryland history.' Moore spent winter on defense, consistently facing questions about a $5.5 billion surplus that turned into a $3.3 billion deficit. He's kicking off spring on offense, telling the story of how he turned a deficit into a surplus. And this week, he's doing it from Asia, where he will likely secure some deals to boost his economic agenda. 'It's good for him,' said Flavio Hickel, an associate professor of political science at Washington College on the Eastern Shore. 'It gets him out of Maryland and the domestic sniping and establishes his international credibility.' Hickel sees it as a proactive trip to 'shift attention' and 'return with good news and new investments.' The day Moore flew to Tokyo last week, he shared a video statement on X about how 94% of Marylanders will either get a tax cut or see no change in their income taxes. The key words there are 'income taxes.' Most Marylanders will pay about $50 less in income taxes, but Republicans say those savings will be offset by increases in emissions fees, a tire tax, technology services and more. 'Some folks will pay less in income tax, but if they drive or use computer services, they will pay more,' Ready said. Republicans say Moore's recent statements show he's forgotten what he said at the beginning of the legislative session in January. The governor has frequently blamed the previous administration for increasing budget spending by 70% while economic growth stalled, pointing fingers at former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican. 'We were spending, but we weren't growing,' Moore said on Jan. 15. The governor has said economic growth is his North Star. His critics say he ought to also lay some of the blame on Democrats, who have had majority control of the legislature and used their power to override Hogan's veto on the state's multibillion-dollar education plan, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. 'Both [Moore] and the legislature deserve equal blame' for tax increases during this legislative session, according to Del. Matt Morgan, a Republican representing St. Mary's County. 'But the legislature is to the left of the governor.' Morgan and Ready say the governor didn't use his power enough to rein in his party. 'The governor represents a third of the government. He has the bully pulpit and a lot of budgetary control,' Morgan said. But instead of using that power, he was silent too long on some of the most controversial issues, the Republican lawmakers said. 'The governor was very absent during the second half of the session,' Ready said. 'When things got tough, he checked out.' Moore, in an hourlong editorial board meeting with The Baltimore Sun last week, seemed to reject the idea of reining in his party. 'I don't know what keeping this whole party in line means,' the governor said. 'Maybe I'm not, like, a partisan dude.' Moore said he's focused on whether an idea makes sense. He said he'll embrace a good idea and reject a bad one regardless of which party is introducing it. 'And, so, when we heard ideas coming from certain members of the General Assembly saying they want to do a (business-to-business tax), I came out and said, 'Yeah, we're not doing that,'' Moore said. 'And when I heard from other members of the General Assembly that we're going to kick kids off Medicaid, I'm like, 'Yeah, we're not doing that.'' But Moore laid some blame with the legislature on the last day of the session, saying the General Assembly didn't pass some of the governor's bills that addressed housing, nuclear energy and making Maryland a more attractive destination for businesses. For Morgan, that pushback came a little too late. 'I like the governor. He's a young, charismatic guy with a bright future ahead,' Morgan said. 'But I would like to see more leadership from him in putting Marylanders first.' In some ways, the current economic battle is not so much a framing or reframing of the recent legislative session as it is about whether the Moore or Hogan administrations were better at putting Marylanders first. Hogan's allies have incessantly hammered a message that the former governor left a $5.5 billion surplus, and Democrats went on a spending spree, creating a $3.3 billion deficit. Moore and his allies say that federal COVID funds papered over a structural deficit that experts warned about since 2017, leading to the state's worst fiscal crisis in at least two decades. When Moore was sworn into office on Jan. 18, 2023, he described the state's financial position as 'fortunate.' He also warned that Maryland must be 'clear-eyed' about the challenges ahead. But despite seeing the challenges ahead, Moore 'didn't take the bull by the horns,' according to David Brinkley, who served as Hogan's budget secretary. Brinkley said Moore has shown 'incredible naivete' in managing a multibillion-dollar operation. The governor compounds that problem by playing the blame game, the former budget secretary said. 'You're the executive now. You own the decisions and impact,' Brinkley said. He added that everyone makes mistakes, but good leaders make decisions and own them. 'Moore is learning a tough lesson that the legislature has 188 members, and few of them have created private-sector jobs,' Brinkley said. He predicts some of the state's new taxes and fees may push some businesses and job creators 'south of the Potomac,' referring to the river that separates Maryland and Virginia. Many Republicans in the legislature fell in love with Virginia during this session — if they weren't already. They especially enjoyed that state's lieutenant governor and her campaign slogan: 'Don't Maryland my Virginia.' 'Virginia is thriving, spending money on education and programs that work,' Morgan said. 'They're kicking our butt economically in a state that's comparable to ours.' Maryland is getting its butt kicked in part because it's not addressing its long-term problem of the legislature spending too much money, said Ready, who described his home state's economy as 'stagnant.' While Republicans hope voters will hold the Democrats in power accountable in the next election, they said they're in touch with reality in their reliably blue state. 'Will it cost Moore his reelection in 2026? I doubt it,' Brinkley said. 'So many voters are blind to the long-term impacts of government decisions. But his decisions in Maryland could hurt him if he tries to court voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and the Carolinas.' Brinkley was referring to the presidential race in 2028. Moore recently told The Sun's editorial board that he is not running for president in 2028, but he continues to raise his national profile and be named among Democrats who could lead the party out of the political doldrums. On Thursday, columnist and podcast host Ezra Klein used Moore, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and California Gov. Gavin Newsom as examples of leaders who showed effectiveness in what's possible when bureaucracy doesn't get in the way. All three have faced catastrophes in their states and resolved them quickly with emergency orders that helped to cut through red tape. All three are on lists of potential Democratic presidential candidates. 'Moore is one of the 2028 candidates people are talking about and getting excited about,' Hickel said. 'His trip to Asia helps people see him as more than just a governor. He's establishing international credibility, which is usually a weakness for governors.' International trips also attract a lot of media attention. (The Sun has sent reporter Sam Janesch to cover Moore in Japan and South Korea.) It's a chance to show the world how governors conduct themselves on a big stage, often meeting with troops and visiting global businesses. That spotlight can be used to share a message, Hickel said. Moore is using the opportunity to share his message on Maryland's economy. ---------------
