Quick 2004 Maryland Election Re-Cap

2002 "Fluke" Confirmed
No Political Realignment
Democrats Well Positioned for 2006

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., whose election two years ago broke a 34-year Democratic stranglehold on the office of governor, said 2004 would give some indication "whether 2002 was a fluke or a beginning of a mini-realignment" of the two political parties.

"If he (Bush) receives 45 percent, it's a dramatic improvement. If he gets more than 45 percent, it's a very dramatic improvement"
        - Governor Ehrlich. (Sun, 11/1)

"We're looking for competitive races. Any race where you see a vast improvement from the election cycle of 2000 points to the state party's growth."
        --- Maryland GOP. (Sun, 11/2)

"I think we got a glimpse of the future in this campaign."
        - Lt. Gov. Steele

"I thought that was a wake-up call, and you are seeing the results of that wake-up call today," Cummings said. "We were trying to send a message that this was still a Democratic state. This election was never just about 2004. It was also about the 2006 election."         - Rep. Cummings

Senator Mikulski Wins Big

• Republican E.J. Pipkin got 4% less than Alan Keyes did in 1988 - even spending $2 million compared to Keyes nonexistent campaign chest.
• Pipkin and the Maryland GOP spent millions trying to distort Senator Mikulski's record yet couldn't break 35% of the vote.

Kerry Trounces President Bush

• Kerry handily beat the Republican incumbent wartime president by 13 points, which matches Clinton's 1992 14 point victory over Republican incumbent George Bush, Sr.
• Kerry beat Bush by almost 275,000 votes.
• Ehrlich refused to campaign for Bush in Maryland.

Democratic Congressional Team Defeat GOP

• All six Democratic incumbents easily defeated Republican challengers. Hoyer, Cardin, Wynn and Cummings matched their large 2002 margins while freshman members Van Hollen and Ruppersberger destroyed their Republican opponents, placing each district in the "Solid Democratic" column.
• Ehrlich and the Maryland GOP failed to deliver on their promise to recruit strong challengers. Not only could they not recruit strong candidates Ehrlich would not even campaign for his own team.

Outstanding Maryland Democrat Grassroots Campaign

• Democrats by the thousands volunteered dozens of hours to put the Democratic ticket over the top in Maryland.
• Democratic clubs and organizations doubled and tripled membership.
• Democrats are stronger, more organized and ready to defeat Ehrlich in 2006.
• Democratic registration surges, maintaining strong advantage over Republicans.

Democrats Ready for 2006

• Democrats will capitalize on momentum, already planning for 2006.
• Democrats in great shape going into the 2006 cycle: vast army of highly motivated volunteers, dozens of newly trained and experienced campaign personnel, organizational structure in place.
• Democrats will field a very strong slate of candidates from the top of the ticket on down. Candidates and campaigns are months ahead of schedule; while Republicans struggle to catch up and find credible candidates and opportunities.

Governor Ehrlich & MD GOP Running Away from Election Results

• Republicans already dismissing Tuesday's results, say they mean nothing. That's not what they said before the election.