Hogan running for Senate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a lifelong democrat, and voted for Larry Hogan twice for Governor. And there is absolutely no way I will vote for him for Senate. Not because I don't like him, o0r think he would do a bad job, but because if he wins, it gives increased power to Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, and the rest of the far right brigade of the Senate. My vote will not be used to support a potential GOP Senate Majority, and that is far, far more important than my personal feelings about an individual candidate.

But Hogan actually spoke up against Trump. We need to break up the MAGA stranglehold on the Republicans.

Sort or, and ineffectively. But more impotantly, that does not address, at all, the concerns raised above - that voting for Hogan helps the GOP get a Senate majority. You like Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett? You excited about a nationwide abortion ban? Think the country needs more corporate tax cuts, combined with further erosion of the social safety net? Hogan is your guy.

My dream is that if Hogan gets elected, right after he is sworn in, he would change his affiliation to Independent and caucus with the Democrats! Bombshell of the century!

He won't do that. He's as Republican as Republican can be. The only reasons he has a reputation as a "moderate" are:

1. He opposes Trump in meaningless ways, like voting for Ronald Reagan for president in 2020
2. The Democratic supermajority in the General Assembly blocked him from doing many of the things he would otherwise have done

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So interesting to read some of these threads. So many people who want to break the MAGA stronghold in Republican party, yet won’t vote to see that happen.

Because he won't do anything to stop them. Once in office, he will step in line with the GOP (ie MAGA) votes. Will be break a filibuster for DC sttehood? No. Will be vote to ensure a woman's right to choose? No. Will he support sensible gun safety laws? No.

So let's get real about what supporting "independent minded" Hogan will really mean.

Serious question... what MAGA vote has there ever been in the Senate? There is a small minority of Senators who are MAGA, and the only Senate vote that I can remember that supported Trump was the tax package. Refresh my memory.

I can guarantee you that if the Republican side of the Senate was MAGA, Mitch McConnell would not be Minority Leader (or Majority Leader).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So interesting to read some of these threads. So many people who want to break the MAGA stronghold in Republican party, yet won’t vote to see that happen.

Because he won't do anything to stop them. Once in office, he will step in line with the GOP (ie MAGA) votes. Will be break a filibuster for DC sttehood? No. Will be vote to ensure a woman's right to choose? No. Will he support sensible gun safety laws? No.

So let's get real about what supporting "independent minded" Hogan will really mean.

Serious question... what MAGA vote has there ever been in the Senate? There is a small minority of Senators who are MAGA, and the only Senate vote that I can remember that supported Trump was the tax package. Refresh my memory.

I can guarantee you that if the Republican side of the Senate was MAGA, Mitch McConnell would not be Minority Leader (or Majority Leader).

Well, here's one: https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/13/967098840/senate-acquits-trump-in-impeachment-trial-again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a lifelong democrat, and voted for Larry Hogan twice for Governor. And there is absolutely no way I will vote for him for Senate. Not because I don't like him, o0r think he would do a bad job, but because if he wins, it gives increased power to Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, and the rest of the far right brigade of the Senate. My vote will not be used to support a potential GOP Senate Majority, and that is far, far more important than my personal feelings about an individual candidate.

But Hogan actually spoke up against Trump. We need to break up the MAGA stranglehold on the Republicans.

Sort or, and ineffectively. But more impotantly, that does not address, at all, the concerns raised above - that voting for Hogan helps the GOP get a Senate majority. You like Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett? You excited about a nationwide abortion ban? Think the country needs more corporate tax cuts, combined with further erosion of the social safety net? Hogan is your guy.

My dream is that if Hogan gets elected, right after he is sworn in, he would change his affiliation to Independent and caucus with the Democrats! Bombshell of the century!

He won't do that. He's as Republican as Republican can be. The only reasons he has a reputation as a "moderate" are:

1. He opposes Trump in meaningless ways, like voting for Ronald Reagan for president in 2020
2. The Democratic supermajority in the General Assembly blocked him from doing many of the things he would otherwise have done

He called up the Maryland National Guard on 1/6 so they could be sent in as soon as he was given approval.
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/baltimore/news/gov-hogan-recounts-harrowing-call-from-lawmakers-capitol-riot-jan-6-maryland/

He took COVID seriously.

He has consistently spoken out publicly against Trump and his MAGA policies.

I understand you disagree with him on some important issues. I disagree with the Democrats on some important issues, but I still voted a straight Democratic ticket last election because I feel that at this crisis point, the normal issues (however important) all come second to preserving a free country where we can vote on the issues in future elections.

We need more than one viable political party (even if it’s the one you support). Frankly, I think it would be healthier to have many competitive parties, but we at least need 2 to provide balance.

We need to get Republicans into office who will have the integrity to speak out against this madness. If the Democrats in congress are the only ones denouncing Trump, Green, Cruz, etc., it will further divide the country. We’ve already lost Cheney and Kinzinger, but having their voices on the Jan 6 committee was important, and I think it made a difference. I know I’d been working on my own parents who were Trump supporters for years, but it was those hearings that finally broke through, and I don’t think it would have happened if they had thought it was just Democrats going after Republicans.

I’m willing to do what needs to be done to protect democracy. I think too much of our problem is politicians (and voters) putting party first. We can no longer afford that luxury. It’s no longer a question of who will steer the country in the right direction, it’s a question of just keeping it from sinking.

Even if you vote against Hogan in the general election, you might consider changing your primary registration to vote for Hogan, especially if (like me) you’re registered Independent and thus would otherwise be ineligible to vote in the Senate primary. The MAGA cult has all the Republicans intimidated with the threat of being primaried out. Let’s show them that they can be defeated in the primaries by someone who doesn’t bow down to Trump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

He took COVID seriously.

Maryland spent more than $11.9 million for 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits from South Korea during the early weeks of the pandemic, but a months-long legislative audit released Friday found no comprehensive contract for the purchase or the identity of the state employee who ultimately approved it.

In April 2020, to much fanfare, Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) and first lady Yumi Hogan greeted a Korean Air cargo plane at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport for the delivery of 500,000 test kits from South Korean company LabGenomics.

But nearly all of those tests were returned on June 23, and quietly replaced with a second batch of 500,000 tests at an additional cost of $2.5 million. The combined costs of the purchases, including shipping charges totaled $11,978,634, according to the report from the Office of Legislative Audits.

The audit also revealed that it cost the state $464,369 to charter the Korean Air flight for the delivery of the first batch of tests, which the administration defended as a reasonable cost during an unprecedented set of circumstances.

Auditors concluded that there were several procurement irregularities related to the tests, including no formal written contract and incomplete documentation to support LabGenomics as the best vendor for the purchase.

https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/04/02/audit-hogan-administration-spent-11-9-million-on-south-korean-covid-tests/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
We need to get Republicans into office who will have the integrity to speak out against this madness. If the Democrats in congress are the only ones denouncing Trump, Green, Cruz, etc., it will further divide the country. We’ve already lost Cheney and Kinzinger, but having their voices on the Jan 6 committee was important, and I think it made a difference. I know I’d been working on my own parents who were Trump supporters for years, but it was those hearings that finally broke through, and I don’t think it would have happened if they had thought it was just Democrats going after Republicans.

I’m willing to do what needs to be done to protect democracy. I think too much of our problem is politicians (and voters) putting party first. We can no longer afford that luxury. It’s no longer a question of who will steer the country in the right direction, it’s a question of just keeping it from sinking.

How's that going? Even Trump's Republican opponents for president didn't/don't speak out against this madness.

At this point, the Republican Party is the Trump Party. Yes, we need two parties for democracy. But the Trump Party cannot be one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We need to get Republicans into office who will have the integrity to speak out against this madness. If the Democrats in congress are the only ones denouncing Trump, Green, Cruz, etc., it will further divide the country. We’ve already lost Cheney and Kinzinger, but having their voices on the Jan 6 committee was important, and I think it made a difference. I know I’d been working on my own parents who were Trump supporters for years, but it was those hearings that finally broke through, and I don’t think it would have happened if they had thought it was just Democrats going after Republicans.

I’m willing to do what needs to be done to protect democracy. I think too much of our problem is politicians (and voters) putting party first. We can no longer afford that luxury. It’s no longer a question of who will steer the country in the right direction, it’s a question of just keeping it from sinking.

How's that going? Even Trump's Republican opponents for president didn't/don't speak out against this madness.

At this point, the Republican Party is the Trump Party. Yes, we need two parties for democracy. But the Trump Party cannot be one of them.

Christie spoke out against Trump. He didn’t last long, but it was important that he was heard.

I agree that Trumpism and the Trump “party” (I think of it more as a cult) has to be defeated. I think part of that is by acknowledging those conservative voices who stand up and denounce it. I will never vote for a MAGA candidate, but Cheney, Kinzinger, Romney, Hogan, and Christie, have shown they have the integrity to stand against it for the good of the country. Cheney, Kinzinger, and Christie went along for far too long before they finally had enough and refused to go any further. Hogan, however, consistently opposed Trump from the beginning, and for that he has my respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We need to get Republicans into office who will have the integrity to speak out against this madness. If the Democrats in congress are the only ones denouncing Trump, Green, Cruz, etc., it will further divide the country. We’ve already lost Cheney and Kinzinger, but having their voices on the Jan 6 committee was important, and I think it made a difference. I know I’d been working on my own parents who were Trump supporters for years, but it was those hearings that finally broke through, and I don’t think it would have happened if they had thought it was just Democrats going after Republicans.

I’m willing to do what needs to be done to protect democracy. I think too much of our problem is politicians (and voters) putting party first. We can no longer afford that luxury. It’s no longer a question of who will steer the country in the right direction, it’s a question of just keeping it from sinking.

How's that going? Even Trump's Republican opponents for president didn't/don't speak out against this madness.

At this point, the Republican Party is the Trump Party. Yes, we need two parties for democracy. But the Trump Party cannot be one of them.

Christie spoke out against Trump. He didn’t last long, but it was important that he was heard.

I agree that Trumpism and the Trump “party” (I think of it more as a cult) has to be defeated. I think part of that is by acknowledging those conservative voices who stand up and denounce it. I will never vote for a MAGA candidate, but Cheney, Kinzinger, Romney, Hogan, and Christie, have shown they have the integrity to stand against it for the good of the country. Cheney, Kinzinger, and Christie went along for far too long before they finally had enough and refused to go any further. Hogan, however, consistently opposed Trump from the beginning, and for that he has my respect.

It's important to what or whom? Who heard it?

I mean, good for Chris Christie personally that he went back to opposing Trump after supporting Trump after opposing Trump. He can face himself in the mirror. He can sleep at night. But the political effect is nothing. Nil. Zippo. The Republican Party is the Trump Party. There's nothing left of the Republican Party except Trump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, as a Democratic I am happy with Trone or Hogan

Seems like we'll have a reasonable senator!

If Trone gets the nomination, I’ll vote for Trone. If AlsoBowser is the nominee, I’ll vote for Hogan.

Trone is more progressive than Alsobrooks. How does that make ANY sense?

Seriously. I’ve always considered myself a moderate Dem and was a 2 time Hogan voter, but I’ve always been impressed with Alsobrooks. I don’t live in MD anymore, but I would follow a Hogan v Alsobrooks race, 2 competent adults in the room, what a concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a lifelong democrat, and voted for Larry Hogan twice for Governor. And there is absolutely no way I will vote for him for Senate. Not because I don't like him, o0r think he would do a bad job, but because if he wins, it gives increased power to Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, and the rest of the far right brigade of the Senate. My vote will not be used to support a potential GOP Senate Majority, and that is far, far more important than my personal feelings about an individual candidate.

But Hogan actually spoke up against Trump. We need to break up the MAGA stranglehold on the Republicans.

Sort or, and ineffectively. But more impotantly, that does not address, at all, the concerns raised above - that voting for Hogan helps the GOP get a Senate majority. You like Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett? You excited about a nationwide abortion ban? Think the country needs more corporate tax cuts, combined with further erosion of the social safety net? Hogan is your guy.

My dream is that if Hogan gets elected, right after he is sworn in, he would change his affiliation to Independent and caucus with the Democrats! Bombshell of the century!

He won't do that. He's as Republican as Republican can be. The only reasons he has a reputation as a "moderate" are:

1. He opposes Trump in meaningless ways, like voting for Ronald Reagan for president in 2020
2. The Democratic supermajority in the General Assembly blocked him from doing many of the things he would otherwise have done

He called up the Maryland National Guard on 1/6 so they could be sent in as soon as he was given approval.
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/baltimore/news/gov-hogan-recounts-harrowing-call-from-lawmakers-capitol-riot-jan-6-maryland/

He took COVID seriously.

He has consistently spoken out publicly against Trump and his MAGA policies.

I understand you disagree with him on some important issues. I disagree with the Democrats on some important issues, but I still voted a straight Democratic ticket last election because I feel that at this crisis point, the normal issues (however important) all come second to preserving a free country where we can vote on the issues in future elections.

We need more than one viable political party (even if it’s the one you support). Frankly, I think it would be healthier to have many competitive parties, but we at least need 2 to provide balance.

We need to get Republicans into office who will have the integrity to speak out against this madness. If the Democrats in congress are the only ones denouncing Trump, Green, Cruz, etc., it will further divide the country. We’ve already lost Cheney and Kinzinger, but having their voices on the Jan 6 committee was important, and I think it made a difference. I know I’d been working on my own parents who were Trump supporters for years, but it was those hearings that finally broke through, and I don’t think it would have happened if they had thought it was just Democrats going after Republicans.

I’m willing to do what needs to be done to protect democracy. I think too much of our problem is politicians (and voters) putting party first. We can no longer afford that luxury. It’s no longer a question of who will steer the country in the right direction, it’s a question of just keeping it from sinking.

Even if you vote against Hogan in the general election, you might consider changing your primary registration to vote for Hogan, especially if (like me) you’re registered Independent and thus would otherwise be ineligible to vote in the Senate primary. The MAGA cult has all the Republicans intimidated with the threat of being primaried out. Let’s show them that they can be defeated in the primaries by someone who doesn’t bow down to Trump.

All this is very reasonable. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

No chance at the federal level. I guess he’s bored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:too pro-life

not viable in 2024

Also too much lining of his own pockets at public expense while in office.

Yep. It hasn’t come out that nearly every funded road project during his term led to a Hogan investment.

[Anonymous]

I trust Hogan, but no way would I vote to add another R vote in the Senate. I want a cushion against all the looney tunes going on in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So interesting to read some of these threads. So many people who want to break the MAGA stronghold in Republican party, yet won’t vote to see that happen.

Because he won't do anything to stop them. Once in office, he will step in line with the GOP (ie MAGA) votes. Will be break a filibuster for DC sttehood? No. Will be vote to ensure a woman's right to choose? No. Will he support sensible gun safety laws? No.

So let's get real about what supporting "independent minded" Hogan will really mean.

Serious question... what MAGA vote has there ever been in the Senate? There is a small minority of Senators who are MAGA, and the only Senate vote that I can remember that supported Trump was the tax package. Refresh my memory.

I can guarantee you that if the Republican side of the Senate was MAGA, Mitch McConnell would not be Minority Leader (or Majority Leader).

McConnell won’t be leader if Rs take back the Senate. Look at the last debacle on Immigration & Ukraine. Mitch is dead man walking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a lifelong democrat, and voted for Larry Hogan twice for Governor. And there is absolutely no way I will vote for him for Senate. Not because I don't like him, o0r think he would do a bad job, but because if he wins, it gives increased power to Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, and the rest of the far right brigade of the Senate. My vote will not be used to support a potential GOP Senate Majority, and that is far, far more important than my personal feelings about an individual candidate.

But Hogan actually spoke up against Trump. We need to break up the MAGA stranglehold on the Republicans.

Sort or, and ineffectively. But more impotantly, that does not address, at all, the concerns raised above - that voting for Hogan helps the GOP get a Senate majority. You like Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett? You excited about a nationwide abortion ban? Think the country needs more corporate tax cuts, combined with further erosion of the social safety net? Hogan is your guy.

My dream is that if Hogan gets elected, right after he is sworn in, he would change his affiliation to Independent and caucus with the Democrats! Bombshell of the century!

He won't do that. He's as Republican as Republican can be. The only reasons he has a reputation as a "moderate" are:

1. He opposes Trump in meaningless ways, like voting for Ronald Reagan for president in 2020
2. The Democratic supermajority in the General Assembly blocked him from doing many of the things he would otherwise have done

UM, how would you have had him oppose Trump in a 'meaningful way'? Unbelievable the lack of basic appreciation for Republicans who spoke out/speak out against Trump.