http://stardem.com/articles/2008/06/25/news/38034.txt

By KRISTYN ECOCHARD Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 8:07 AM CDT

EASTON Former Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Congressional First District candidate Andy Harris joined Talbot County Republicans as they officially kicked off their election campaign Tuesday afternoon at a Republican Central Committee luncheon at Easton Club's Waterview Grill.

The committee also opened its new campaign headquarters at 7 Federal St.

"We're excited because we know what the stakes are," said Kate Boland, chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Talbot County. "The stakes are large and I hope we get energized because we know leadership matters."
Boland introduced Ehrlich who received a standing ovation. Ehrlich, who supports Harris in the November general election, emphasized the important role Talbot County will play.

"We need big numbers," he said.

It is easy to get caught up in the accoutrements of politics such as bumper stickers, dinners and yard signs, Ehrlich said, but it is important to remember that it is the ideas that are important, ideas such as taxes, national security and flourishing small businesses.

"If you're not winning, your ideas aren't counting," Ehrlich said. "But winning's not the end. Anyone can be a politician, but not a lot of people can lead. I believe Andy's ready to lead."

Ehrlich, who lost in his re-election bid against Democrat Martin O'Malley, was asked by a guest if he is going to run for governor in the next Maryland election. Ehrlich told attendees his most honest answer is that he doesn't know.

"We'll make that call in the next year," he said.

If his advisors believe there's a chance he could win and there's a possibility of "fixing what's broken in Annapolis" then he said he would run.

"We'll see, right now this is about the two races in the here and now. We need this seat," Erhlich said.

Harris, who is running for the seat in Congress Ehrlich mentioned, said there are two reasons people should vote for him.

"I promise I will not vote for Nancy Pelosi to be speaker," he said.

Harris said that is important because he believes that the idea of Democrats Barack Obama and Pelosi leading the nation is "scary."

The second reason he should receive votes, Harris said, is because he will lead on the issue of energy. The United States is an economic engine and without good energy policies, the American economy will be crippled.

Harris reiterated his "prescription for pain at the pump," in which he would support domestic drilling, more efficient refineries and development of the next generation of energy technologies.

When asked about his opinion on illegal immigration, Harris said that Congress refuses to deal with the issue. He said taking away incentives such as drivers' licenses, free health care and education for illegal immigrants would help curb the number of illegal aliens pouring into the U.S..

"That being said, there are businesses on the Eastern Shore that rely on temporary workers," Harris said. "There's a place for it; we're a country of immigrants but do it legally."