Human Events: Gilchrest Wants More Taxes, Irks Radio Legends

Less than a month ago, Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R.-Md.), who had secured an endorsement and a photo for campaign brochures, from Maryland Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich, survived a conservative primary challenge. Now, the increasingly unpredictable congressman from the Eastern Shore-who has upset conservative GOPers with everything from his pro-abortion stand to his support for John McCain for President four years ago-has turned on benefactor Ehrlich. In a statement to reporters and then in testimony before the state legislature last week, Gilchrest denounced the measure the governor has fought long and hard over with the Democrat-controlled state assembly: his proposal to permit up to 15,500 slot machines throughout the Free State to raise an estimated $800 million in state revenue, much of which would be spent on education.

But Gilchrest was not content just to break with the governor on this issue. H went a step further by saying that Marylanders would be willing to consider additional taxes to secure the revenue the Ehrlich-desired slots would have brought in. In Gilchrest's words: "The residents of Maryland are willing to make an extra contribution without having gambling as our legacy."

Not only did Gilchrest further tweak conservatives in his district and give a kick to his benefactor-governor. ("We have thoughts that we don't care to share publicly," Ehrlich top aide Paul Schurik told the Baltimore Sun when queried about Gilchrest.) In taking this stand, Gilchrest did something area pundits and pols consider downright dumb: He made Brian and O'Brien mad.

As just about any Baltimorean will attest, Brian Wilson and Big Don O'Brien are, after 20 years, as much institutions in the city as its world-famous harbor and the Orioles. The uncontested kings of local radio have been fixtures of the airwaves for more than two decades. On their top-rated program on WQSR every day for four hours, they almost always eschew politics in favor of side-splitting lyrical parodies ("The Gigolo Sing-along" for example), golden oldies, and fun-facts such as birthdays of the famous and infamous.

Not so on March 22. ("William Shatner's 73rd birthday," as B&B put it.) In an unusually strong afternoon broadside, Brian and O'Brien took after Gilchrest with a vengeance: "He said residents of Maryland are willing to pay higher taxes," exclaimed Big Don, "Now I may have met some-a few, anyway-who don't want slots. I have never met anyone who is willing to pay higher taxes."

The boys spanked Gilchrest for breaking with Ehrlich so soon after getting political help from him and warned that "more taxes lead to more government and the welfare state"-unusual words coming from the masters of mirth. B&B then opened up the phone lines to a floodgate of calls denouncing Gilchrest, with one caller saying he has "slots in his head."

Mr. Gizzi, political editor of HUMAN EVENTS, welcomes political intelligence from subscribers on campaigns and issues at the local and state level. Though he cannot reply to all correspondents, we appreciate your contributions.

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