The presence of several newspaper reporters in the back of the Van Bokkelen lecture hall reaffirmed their suspicions.
Ehrlich walked in a few minutes later, flanked by aides and University administrators, and stepped up to his usual perch in the fourth row.
Vatz, a professor of mass communication and communication studies, even noted in his introduction that Ehrlich has visited the class for the last 29 or 30 semesters.
"I should be paid at some point," the governor joked.
But it's obvious that he enjoys the biannual visits. Ehrlich told the class that there are two keys to success in life: thinking critically and communicating.
"In five minutes, I've wrapped up your entire college education," he said with a smile.
Then he asked a question: "How many of you are pro-choice?"
After some students raised their hands, Ehrlich said: "Never answer that question! Because 40 of you raised your hands, and all of you have a different definition of what that means."
Ehrlich said the students should have responded by asking "What do you mean by pro-choice, governor? Define that term."
After sharing his secrets to success, the governor posed another seemingly innocent question. "How many of you woke up this morning and read a newspaper?" he asked. Almost no one raised a hand.
"Wow," Del. William Frank (R-Baltimore County) remarked.
"Sorry Len," the governor quipped, referring to Len Lazarick, correspondent for the new Baltimore Examiner.
But most of the class raised their hands when Ehrlich asked about online readership. He said the same thing happens every time he asks the question.
Ehrlich said his administration prefers the electronic media, partly because it's a more direct form of communication.
With newspapers, "there's a human being between me and my audience," he said.
Along with the media talk, Ehrlich addressed the subject of advocacy.
He brought along Alan Friedman, his director of legislative relations, who said the most important element of lobbying is "knowing your audience, knowing what their interests are."
Friedman said lobbyists have to make their pitch honestly, directly, and factually.
"There's no one issue worth destroying your credibility on," he said.
Ehrlich said lobbyists can make their pitch several ways, depending on the situation. He said it could be philosophical (based on beliefs), partisan (based on political party), or parochial (based on location).
Ehrlich's presentation impressed some members of the class.
"I think he's a gifted person," senior Randy Epstein said. "The way he talks, the way he speaks, he shows that he's a real person."
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