McCain's Maryland victory also belies a relatively flimsy party structure that is available to assist the former Naval Academy graduate in the months ahead.
Since Ehrlich's 2006 re-election defeat, "it's no secret that the state GOP is struggling," Mooney said. "They are just trying to keep themselves afloat."
Maryland, expected to stay in the Democratic column in the general election, will likely reprise its role as a donor state - a place where the nominee can come to raise money more effectively used elsewhere.
"It is a nice quick trip from his headquarters, and I'm sure he wants to tap into Maryland's monetary resources and the Baltimore-Washington media market," Cavey said.
Richard E. Hug, a businessman and major fundraiser for Ehrlich and Bush who backed Giuliani this year, said he is remaining on the sidelines "for the time being."
Before helping McCain, "I'd have to be absolutely convinced that what he's saying now is what he believes," said Hug, noting the senator's votes against Bush tax cuts but more recent support of them. "So we'll see."
david.nitkin@baltsun.com
