Council Rejects Ficker's Ballot Initiative

Ruben picked apart Raskin's positions in several legal cases to suggest that he helped elect President Bush "through his support of third party candidates" and is aligned with "radical pro-life groups that intimidate women and doctors."

Raskin's campaign immediately condemned the mailer as "lies, fabrications and distortions" and demanded an apology for the "vicious Karl Rove-like attacks."

His campaign Web site urges voters to mark the flier: "Return to Sender/No Negative Politics Accepted."

A constitutional lawyer, Raskin supported Bill Clinton's reelection in 1996 and the right of third-party candidate Ross Perot to participate in presidential debates.

In 2003, he wrote a brief in a case to try to protect protesters from being prosecuted under criminal racketeering laws. His position, which was supported by eight Supreme Court justices, was at odds with the National Organization for Women.

"I was standing up for a basic First Amendment principle," said Raskin, who had been working for Greenpeace and a labor union at the time. "It has nothing to do with the issue of abortion. It's all about the right of protesters, and it's beneath the dignity of our politics to put this type of trashy material in people's mailboxes."

Ruben's campaign manager Philip Olivetti said the senator stands by the substance of the flier, which was sent to 15,000 likely Democratic voters in the district that includes Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

"It's important that the voters know her record of accomplishments, and it's important that they have all the facts about her opponent," Olivetti said.

The controversy gave Raskin a boost from Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D), who represents District 20 voters. He denounced Ruben's mailer, saying, "This kind of Karl Rove politics has no place in the Democratic Party. The voters should demand a clean and honest campaign."

Race for Endorsements

In the race to get as many endorsements as possible, both major Democratic candidates for Montgomery County executive scored victories this week.

On Monday, the Greater Washington Board of Trade's Maryland Political Action Committee announced its support of council member Steven A. Silverman 's candidacy in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary.

"We endorsed Steve Silverman for his track record of support for the Purple Line [light-rail link from Bethesda to New Carrollton] and sensible growth strategies, like the revitalization of Silver Spring and transit-oriented development projects," Mahan Tavakoli , chairman of the Board of Trade's Maryland PAC, said in a written statement. "While we have two strong candidates in this race -- with many similar views -- Steve has a stronger, more decisive record on these issues."

On Tuesday, Isiah Leggett , a former council member and former chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party, got an endorsement from the national political action committee Twenty-First Century Democrats. Leggett was one of nine federal, state and local candidates to receive endorsements from the group this week.

"The nine visionary, bold leaders we endorse today have the utmost integrity and they all are proud to stand up for what they believe and to say what they believe regardless of external pressures," Kelly C. Young , president of the PAC, said in a statement Tuesday.

Both candidates have racked up numerous endorsements. In recent weeks, Leggett has received the support of Democracy for Montgomery County, a grass-roots organization, and the Montgomery County Hispanic Democratic Club. Silverman recently received nods from the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge 35) and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

For Ehrlich, Mum's the Word

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) dipped briefly into the county executive's race last week. During an interview with The Washington Post, Ehrlich was asked whether the election of either of the two leading Democratic candidates would make a difference.

Ehrlich said he knows Leggett better and that "we get along."

"With Ike, I feel pretty confident that will be a good working relationship," he said. But Ehrlich was quick to avoid taking sides, saying he just doesn't know Silverman as well.