The Carroll Standard

Murphy Tells ABC News Republicans Don’t Have to Settle, Post’s Cillizza Refuses to Rule out Murphy Victory

Today, Brian Murphy, Republican Candidate for Governor of Maryland, and Joe Miller, Republican Candidate for US Senate from Alaska, had a joint interview on ABC News TOPLINE (click here for link).  Murphy’s opponent is RNC-backed, former Governor Robert Ehrlich, while Joe Miller is on the brink of upsetting incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski. Although both Murphy and Miller were shut out by the party establishment, both have received Governor Sarah Palin’s endorsement.

In the weeks leading up to the primary, Miller faced significant deficits in projected polls. Although no credible polls have been done in Maryland, Murphy is most likely in a similar position. In describing the race, the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza acknowledged Maryland’s Primary, although different than Alaska's, is far from a done deal. 

“I do think we have to be cautious of saying Bob Ehrlich is going to be the nominee… Sarah Palin’s influence in Alaska in a small turnout Primary is probably a little bit more powerful than Maryland, but, I would say, at this point in this cycle, political prognostication is a dangerous business,” said Cillizza.

Following Alaska's Primary, the Republican Party deployed staff to Alaska, in what was perceived as a slight to Miller, the apparent winner. Similar to Miller's race, the RNC has made an attempt to tilt the field against Murphy. Earlier this year, when Murphy had already filed for office and Ehrlich had not, the RNC evoked "Rule 11" to officially support Ehrlich's candidacy. Although Maryland GOP by-laws require the Maryland GOP to remain neutral, even after the RNC evokes Rule 11, Murphy supporters have been shut out of parades, phone banks, and other events intended to be open for all candidates.

Although Murphy is more in line with Republican principles than his opponent, Murphy took issue with Ehrlich and the RNC's effort to convince voters that candidates like Murphy, a budget hawk, a fiscal conservative and a social conservative, can never win in Maryland or around the country.

“[Bob Ehrlich] is trying to convince Republicans that they have to settle to win and that's what the RNC is doing.  They are saying a true Republican can't win anywhere in the country… we have fourteen days and I love where we are,” said Murphy.

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Brian Murphy and Robert Ehrlich are running in the Republican Primary on September 14th. Governor Martin O’Malley is running in the Democratic Party Primary on September 14. The winners of the respective parties’ elections will square off against each other in the November 2 General Election.