Ehrlich won't rule out Senate run

Bob Ehrlich surprised a group in Pikesville this morning by telling a questioner at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast that a Senate run against Barbara Mikulski was still “in the mix.”

That news may come as a shock should Ehrlich follow through with a Senate campaign, especially to a group of eleven people: the seven candidates who are already running for the Republican nomination to unseat the four-term incumbent (leading the way are Carmen Amedori, Jim Rutledge, and Eric Wargotz), the three men who explored but dropped out of the GOP race for governor (Mike Pappas, Larry Hogan, and Delegate Pat McDonough), and Brian Murphy, who might have the GOP nod handed to him as the only other active candidate seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

But would Ehrlich be better off facing Mikulski? Based on approval ratings, the answer would be no – a Gonzales poll taken last September pegged her approval rating at 67 percent compared to O'Malley's 48 percent rating at that same juncture. On the other hand, Ehrlich has plenty of Washington experience as a four-term Congressman who gave up his seat to make what many assumed was a quixotic run for governor in this Democratic stronghold of a state.

And if Ehrlich indeed decides to attempt a return to Washington, who could move into the race to occupy Government House? One suggestion by Montgomery County Daily blogger (as well as author, would-be filmmaker, and former Senate candidate himself) Daniel “The Wig Man” Vovak - how about Cal Ripken, Jr? Vovak came up with seventeen reasons Ehrlich wouldn't run and suggested the Iron Man in a post yesterday.

Besides, you sure can't beat Cal's name recognition in Maryland nor are famous athletes strangers to the political world. To many, politics is just a sport with its Super Bowl occurring in November instead of February. Placing Ripken in the lineup would certainly shake up the rosters and the betting line.