Vice President's Post on Council In Question

At School Board Meeting, Abrams Clashes With Navarro, Brandman

Two of the eight Board of Education members are short-timers, whose long-term relationships with the other six won't matter much after their replacements are sworn in next month.

That might explain why tempers flared Tuesday between exiting board members Stephen Abrams (Rockville-Potomac) and Sharon W. Cox (At Large) and the others. Cox will be replaced Dec. 4 by Phil Kauffman. Challenger Laura Berthiaume has declared victory over Abrams, although absentee and provisional ballots are being counted in that race.

Board members were discussing their legislative platform. The discussion pitted Abrams and Cox against the board leaders, who are strongly supported by teachers. The union does not support Abrams or Cox.

Vice President Shirley Brandman (At Large) proposed some changes to language about collective bargaining. The discussion brought out divisions over labor. Abrams and Cox have voted against the Montgomery County Education Association at times, and school board critics allege that the others do the union's bidding in exchange for its political support. All board members say they are their own bosses.

Abrams was talking. Nancy Navarro (Northeastern County) asked him to yield to Patricia O'Neill (Bethesda-Chevy Chase), who was waiting to speak. He accused her of silencing him.

"I would never silence any board member," Navarro said.

Abrams suggested that Brandman was acting as a mouthpiece for the teachers union. Brandman said his comments offended her. He said he had meant to offend.

"I don't mind if you are in bed with them," he said. "Just god-damn it admit it."

A few exchanges later, Brandman replied to Abrams that "the fact that I might disagree with you does not mean that I have been bought, because I have not been bought."

Van Hollen Will Continue In House Campaign Post

Fresh from a 24-seat Democratic gain in last week's House elections, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has accepted Speaker Nancy Pelosi's request to stay on as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Van Hollen had showed interest in succeeding Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) as head of the Democratic Caucus, according to a Democratic leadership source who spoke on condition of anonymity, but he pulled out of the running after Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered to expand his leadership role. In addition to chairing the campaign committee, Van Hollen will serve as "assistant to the speaker," giving him a formal policy portfolio. The job is currently held by Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.).

In a statement, Pelosi praised Van Hollen for bringing "intellect, integrity, and great political savvy to his role as DCCC Chairman."

"He was a maestro," she said. "No one could have done a better job to strengthen our Democratic majority in the House and enable us to continue to address the priorities of all Americans."

Van Hollen's plans were first reported by our washingtonpost.com colleague Chris Cillizza, author of the Fix, a blog on national politics.