Silverman Takes Aim at Phantom Foe

Council member Steven A. Silverman (D-At Large) apparently has a crystal ball.

Silverman's campaign has been leaving copies of a letter and bumper stickers on the windshields of cars still displaying John Kerry presidential campaign bumper stickers.

The letter mentions Silverman's efforts on behalf of Kerry in last year's election. It then asks Democrats to support him in his race for county executive.

"Electing Democrats to office in Maryland is a team effort and I hope you will support these efforts by placing the enclosed 'Silverman' sticker alongside your Democratic sticker," the letter states.

Silverman is facing former council member Isiah Leggett in next year's Democratic primary. Most analysts expect it to be a highly competitive race.

Silverman's letter does not mention Leggett. But it makes broad generalizations about the Republican candidate for county executive.

"The likely Republican opponent in the general election is a right wing conservative who has the full backing of Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. as well as the state and local Republican parties," Silverman writes.

But there is a problem, said Tom Reinheimer , chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee. The only announced Republican candidate is anti-tax activist Robin Ficker , who Reinheimer said isn't being supported by GOP leaders.

And while several Republicans are considering entering the race, none is "right wing," Reinheimer said. So, he concludes, Silverman is trying to smear a Republican candidate who doesn't even exist.

"He is totally making it up," Reinheimer said. "When there are other possible candidates on the Republican side, that will be the time for the demagoguery and name-calling from the left. Until then, they should keep their powder dry."

In an interview, Silverman appeared surprised by the letter's contents, even though his signature is on it.

"That's an error. That should be changed," Silverman said. "One of the interns messed up."