Gilchrest Backs Obama: Not his first party flip
Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-1st, who was defeated in the Republican primary, has declared his support for Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and VEEP running-mate Sen. Joe Biden in an interview with Baltimore public radio WYPR. (Read the brief report here: http://www.politickermd.com/danielreiter/3660/gilchrest-throws-support-behind-obama-biden
It might seem like more of the same, since Gilchrest has endorsed Democrat Frank Kratovil in the Congressional race for his old seat. But Gilchrest’s turning his back on Republican Sen. John McCain is a bit puzzling. Gilchrest had supported his fellow Vietnam veteran McCain when the Arizona Senator unsuccessfully challenged George W. Bush for the GOP presidential nomination 8 years ago. And Gilchrest and McCain had been allies on some environmental initiatives on which they both bucked the GOP establishment.
But Gilchrest and McCain have been at odds over the Iraq war and that was surely a factor in the turnabout. However, pardon our cynicism as we note that now Gilchrest is out of a job, his best employment prospects would be heading some envionmental lobby group in Washington and all of that gang is supporting Obama.
And those of us in Cecil County with long memories still recall the amazing flip-flop by Gilchrest a few years back when he endorsed Republican Harry Hepbron for County Commissioner– and then took it back a few days before the general election and turn-coated to endorse the obscure Democratic candidate, after some major arm-twisting by a former Democratic Princess who formerly held court in Elkton.
