Republicans, Democrats fight PR battle over malpractice

With Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. promising to veto a medical malpractice reform bill this week, Democrats and Republicans have begun a fight to to win a public relations and political battle.

Doctors, lawyers and regular taxpayers following the issue, meanwhile, could be spending the first weeks of 2005 just trying to figure out what it all means.

"The public is most likely confused by the outcome of the special session," said Keith Haller, president and CEO of Bethesda-based polling firm Potomac Inc. "It's too early to assess political impact. If the Democrats and the governor maintain the sort of standoff with diametrically...