A Delegate Candidate Explains What Makes This Earmark a Good One

Steve Simon , a spokesman for the college, said that until Stewart received Raskin's response, "he didn't know about all of the other candidates."

Stewart was concerned, Simon said, about protecting the college's name because it does not endorse candidates. Moreover, the club is not officially registered as an on-campus organization, but is affiliated through College Democrats of America.

Stewart's initial message to Raskin was a response to a call from Pearsall, who said that she thought the Web notice looked like an endorsement from the college and that "Sen. Ruben has done so much for education."

"It's amazing to me how things are getting blown up," Pearsall said. "If Jamie had a question about any of this, all he had to do was pick up the phone. I'm his neighbor."

To Raskin, the interference was "one more brazen effort by Senator Ruben to use official and academic power to stifle student free speech."

Last month, Ruben contacted the principal of Montgomery Blair High School after learning that the student newspaper had endorsed Raskin. Ruben said the paper's staff members had not given her a chance to talk. Students said the senator did not respond to their interview requests.

Ruben's campaign manager, Philip L. Olivetti , said the campaign did not learn about the kerfuffle with the college Democrats until after the fact. After reading Raskin's response to Stewart, Olivetti said, "There he goes again. It's another case of the Raskin campaign overreacting."

After checking out the logo posted on Raskin's Web site, Simon, the college spokesman, said this week, "It looks fine."

Conflict resolved.

On Doctors' Advice

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Calling it a "Doctor's Prescription for Maryland," the Montgomery County Medical Society has made its first endorsements in the group's 103-year history. John Young , chairman of the legislative committee, said, "Out of frustration and necessity, we need to become more active and involved."

Reimbursement rates and medical malpractice awards, he said, are among the issues critical to the profession. The group's ballot will be passed around at polling sites.

The following candidates made the list in District 14: Sen. Rona E. Kramer (D) and Dels. Anne R. Kaiser (D), Karen S. Montgomery (D) and Herman L. Taylor II (D). In District 15: Sen. Robert J. Garagiola (D) and Dels. Kathleen M. Dumais (D), Brian J. Feldman (D) and Jean B. Cryor (R). In District 16: Del. Marilyn R. Goldwater (D). In District 17: Del. Kumar P. Barve (D) and newcomer Cory Siansky (D). In District 18: Del. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D) for the Senate seat being vacated by Sharon M. Grosfeld .