David Hanlin: Republican Party needs to 'evolve'

Earlier this month, Maryland voters delivered a hard punch to the gut of right-wing, conservative Republicans. The GOP supported three ballot questions challenging laws passed by the General Assembly. Washington County Republicans took the lead in trying to overturn these laws, knowing, at a minimum, their supporters would back them. Republicans felt these laws were controversial and that overturning them was possible. They felt that not only might these laws be overturned, but to even challenge these laws would send a message to the Democratic majority that referendum could be used as a check on any law deemed worthy of opposition.  Things didn’t work out the way the GOP hoped. On each ballot question, the challenge was rejected by Maryland voters. In fact, in some ways, the condition of the statewide GOP is now worse.      

By DAVID HANLIN

November 28, 2012