Maryland Politics: Open Senate Seat
Senator Paul Sarbanes today announced that he will retire at the end of his term and not seek reelection next year.

Mr. Sarbanes' decision opens up next years Senate race in both parties. Of particular interest on the Republican side would be a possible run by Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. John J. Miller describes Mr. Steele's positions on life issues.

Catholicism explains two of the issues - abortion and the death penalty - on which Steele has disagreed publicly with Ehrlich. Whereas the governor is pro-choice, Steele is pro-life, even to the point of having qualms about rape and incest exceptions (which is the place where all principled pro-lifers find themselves, though most pro-life politicians have cut corners in order to make their commitments more palatable to voters). And whereas Ehrlich is a death-penalty proponent, Steele has announced grave concerns over its use.