Ruben's Not-So-Anonymous Survey Draws Criticism From Some Voters

By Ann Marimow and Nancy Trejos
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, June 22, 2006

Maryland's election law does not require pollsters to disclose the names of candidates who sponsor their telephone surveys, which are sure to become frequent dinnertime calls this campaign season.

But some perceptive Montgomery County residents quickly picked up on who was behind one recent poll: Democratic state Sen. Ida G. Ruben .

The survey characterized one candidate as a law professor with no political experience and the other as a proponent of education with years of experience in the state legislature. Those descriptions sounded a lot like the Democratic primary contest in District 20 between Ruben, an incumbent with 32 years' experience, and newcomer Jamin Raskin , an American University law professor. The district includes Takoma Park and Silver Spring.

"I had to laugh, because the questions seemed so clearly intended to get a certain response," said Ann Marie Staudenmaier , a lawyer from Takoma Park who took the call. "It just seemed biased."

Others had a stronger reaction. Cindy Brach , a federal government employee from Silver Spring, said she considered the poll essentially an advertisement for Ruben, because it portrayed her favorably and Raskin negatively by "making him look inexperienced."

"It offends me," she said, "because it's manipulative."

Ruben's campaign manager, Philip Olivetti , confirmed that the campaign has been polling to gather information about voters' preferences and views on issues. He defended the characterizations of Raskin as factual, not negative.

"To say that he's a law professor is factual. To say he's inexperienced, certainly he is, having never served in the legislature," Olivetti said.

Naturally, Raskin had a different take on the poll, calling it "negative politics" that "turns people off when we should be getting them engaged."

Frosh Won't Run Statewide

Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D) this week announced his intention to file for reelection in District 16, ending speculation that he might run for attorney general.

"I thought being attorney general would be an interesting, challenging job," said Frosh, who is chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. "But looking at the whole thing, I didn't want to leave the Senate. I love being in the Senate." His district includes Bethesda and parts of Chevy Chase, Rockville and Potomac.

Frosh also acknowledged that there is no shortage of candidates from Montgomery County already running for statewide office -- and in particular to replace retiring Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr . (D).

Ervin Announces Bid

It's official. School board member Valerie Ervin declared her candidacy this week for County Council in District 5, with a group of community leaders and elected officials at her side at Silver Spring International Middle School.

Ervin, who has been an aide to council President George L. Leventhal (D-At Large), said in a news statement that she would "reach across racial, ethnic, cultural, generational and class lines to have a new conversation" about issues facing the county.

She is seeking the seat now held by Tom Perez (D-Silver Spring), who is running for attorney general.

Sierra Club Likes Leggett

Montgomery county executive candidate Isiah Leggett 's promise to slow growth has won him an endorsement from the local Sierra Club.

"Ike is an experienced and strong leader, a listener, a consensus builder and truly dedicated to working for the best interests for all of Montgomery County," said Anne Ambler , chair of the county's chapter of the nonprofit environmental group, in a written statement.

Leggett, a former council member, will face current council member Steven A. Silverman (D-At Large) and political novice Robert Fustero in the Democratic primary Sept. 12. Former State Department employee Charles R. Floyd is running unopposed for the Republican nomination. Lawyer and anti-tax activist Robin Ficker is running as an independent.

Ambler cited several of Leggett's accomplishments during his 16 years on the County Council as reasons for endorsing him, such as his push for a smoking ban in the county's restaurants and for the creation of a dedicated revenue source for storm water management. He also led an effort to establish a county recycling program, she said.

Ambler said the group approved of Leggett's promise to limit the number of campaign contributions he receives from the development industry.

"I believe that the Sierra Club's endorsement is the good housekeeper seal of approval for leadership that is responsive to smart growth and protecting our fragile environment," Leggett said in a written statement. "It speaks volumes about the choices in this important election."

Berliner Booster

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) is choosing sides in the race for the council's District 1 seat, and the side he's choosing is, not surprisingly, that of the Democratic candidate -- lawyer Roger Berliner .

Berliner will face Howard A. Denis , the council's lone Republican, in November's general election. The district includes the Potomac and Bethesda areas.

"Roger Berliner is dedicated to building an even stronger and more vibrant community in Montgomery County," Van Hollen said in a written statement.

Berliner said the endorsement was a boost to his campaign. "There is no political figure in Montgomery County more well respected than congressman Chris Van Hollen," he said in a statement.