TONIGHT: Join Rep. John Delaney, MoCo Exec Ike Leggett & Doug Duncan for Q&A at Maryland Juice's Million Views Party

Tonight Maryland Juice bloggers David Moon & Dan Furmansky are hosting our first ever reader party to celebrate our newest milestone: over 1.1 million article views and growing!  Join us MON 11/18 from 6 to 8 pm for a fun evening of horserace talk and tasty snacks (cash bar):

Maryland Juice Unplugged - "Million Views" Party

Paladar Latin Kitchen

11333 Woodglen Drive

Rockville, MD (White Flint Metro)

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

Food for the event is being sponsored by Progressive Maryland & Congressman John Delaney

ASK THEM ANYTHING: Maryland Juice readers will be joined by Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, former County Executive Doug Duncan, and Rep. John Delaney for live Q&A about Maryland politics. While we're hoping to have an unfiltered conversation with these three elected officials, we are going to encourage readers to observe some fairly basic ground rules:

• Ask a real question that can be answered fairly quickly (eg: don't just make statements about your views)
• Try not to ask about things that a quick Google search can answer or that's already been well-covered on Maryland Juice or another outlet
• Be respectful of the candidates' participation, as they don't have to answer every question

Personally, I'm hoping to hear some new insights into local politics, campaign strategy, nuances on issues or other enlightening matters. See you tonight!

EXCUSE ME? Potomac's Millionaire Congressman John Delaney Voted with Republicans AGAINST Obamacare for Big Business

WTF: Coming off the heels of freshman Congressman John Delaney's bad vote to allow the NSA to spy on his constituents, The Baltimore Sun's John Fritze is reporting that Delaney (a Maryland "Democrat") recently voted with U.S. House Republicans against President Obama's health care reform proposal (aka "Obamacare"). After all that Democrats went through over the last few years with the birthers, Tea Partiers, and hysteria about Obamacare "death panels" -- did we re-draw the Congressional districts of all of our Democratic House Representatives in order to facilitate the election of a conservative 1%-er? Fritze's piece also highlights a range of support from Delaney for Republican legislative proposals (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN: Something unusual happened when the controversy over the nation's health care law erupted again on the floor of the House of Representatives this month: A Maryland Democrat voted with Republicans.

Rep. John Delaney, the state's newest member of Congress, was one of 35 Democrats out of 200 to vote for a Republican proposal to delay a requirement that large businesses offer health coverage to workers. He was the only Democrat from Maryland to do so.

"I've said from the beginning that Obamacare is an imperfect piece of legislation..." Delaney said of the vote.... And so Delaney has positioned himself to the right of the rest of the state's congressional delegation. He has split with a majority of Democrats on six major votes on issues such as oil drilling and domestic surveillance. He courted more than a dozen Republicans to co-sponsor a bill to fund infrastructure projects and recently joined a bipartisan "no labels" coalition that is seeking middle ground in Washington....

This month, Delaney became the only House Democrat to sign on to a proposal to study federal monetary policy — a longtime cause of conservatives. Several Republicans on Capitol Hill said Delaney's business background gives him a sense of authority on debates about the economy and employment. "He came by and spent a lot of time with me," said Rep. Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican and deputy majority whip who is co-sponsoring one of Delaney's bills....

A New Jersey native, Delaney in 2000 founded a successful bank called CapitalSource and led it as CEO for nearly a decade.... His former career makes him among the wealthiest members of the House. Delaney spent $2.3 million of his own money on the 2012 campaign.... Delaney remains a major shareholder and is poised to collect tens of millions of dollars under a pending sale of CapitalSource.

NOW WE KNOW WHERE JOHN DELANEY STANDS ON THE ISSUES - Below Maryland Juice highlights a few pieces of disturbing evidence of John Delaney's conservative views. But it is worth noting that before writing this article, I posted a link to The Baltimore Sun article above on my social media accounts, and I've been surprised to see that its been viewed by hundreds of people. News of Delaney's fondness for Republican legislative proposals has many Maryland Democrats angry (samples below):

DELANEY'S SIGNATURE CORPORATE TAX BREAK PROPOSAL IS OPPOSED BY THE CLINTONS' THINK TANK (AND MANY MORE) - Notably, John Delaney's election to the U.S. House was facilitated heavily by an endorsement from Democratic President Bill Clinton. But an anonymous source pointed out that Delaney's signature legislative proposal (a bill to allow corporations who hid their money abroad to "repatriate" their earnings) is being opposed by the Center for American Progress (CAP), a think tank established by the Clintons to bolster their policy agenda. CAP is joined in opposition to Delaney's corporate welfare proposal by a range of progressive groups including MoveOn, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, SEIU and many more (details below):

Letter Opposing Rep. John Delaney's Tax Repatriation Amnesty Bill

The craziest thing about all this is that unless he's moved recently, it doesn't even appear that Potomac banker John Delaney lives in the 6th Congressional District he represents. Congressman John Delaney appears to be represented by Congressman Chris Van Hollen:

But I guess turnabout is fair play, because it is apparently the case that anyone who lives in the state of Maryland can run for the 6th Congressional District seat --- I repeat, any Maryland resident can run (hint, hint!).

Congressman-Elect John Delaney Announces Top Office Hires // PLUS: Delaney Campaign Operative Launches Consulting Firm

Democrat John Delaney today announced the inaugural line-up of his Congressional office staff. The newly-elected representative for Maryland's new 6th Congressional District will have a team that includes both veterans and new faces on Capital Hill. Additionally, one of Delaney's campaign operatives is launching a new political consulting firm. To the victors go the spoils! Check out the pair of press releases below:

PRESS RELEASE

Congressman-Elect John Delaney Names Chief of Staff, 
District Director, Communications Director

Congressman-Elect John Delaney has named John Monsif his Chief of Staff and Lisa Bianco his District Director. Delaney will bfe sworn in as Maryland’s Sixth District Representative on January 3.

Monsif previously served as Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s (NY-28) Chief of Staff. In addition to five years of Capitol Hill experience as a Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Monsif brings to Delaney’s office seven years of private sector experience.

Prior to becoming Delaney’s District Director, Lisa Bianco served as Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer’s Maryland Political Director.

Will McDonald moves from the campaign into the congressional office as Communications Director.

Campaign Manager Justin Schall will remain on as a senior adviser handling all of Congressman-Elect Delaney’s political operations.

###

PRESS RELEASE

Delaney Political Director Launches Feldman Strategies

Firm to focus on political outreach, event management, and communication strategy

WASHINGTON, DC - Today Andrew Feldman, former Political Director for John Delaney’s successful congressional campaign, announced the formation of Feldman Strategies LLC. Feldman Strategies will serve political and advocacy campaigns, specializing in communication strategy, event management, and political outreach.

“Feldman Strategies is here to help its clients build the critical relationships they need to win,” said Andrew Feldman, Principal of Feldman Strategies. “It is crucial for all types of campaigns to have a political outreach, event management, and a sound communication strategy, and to make sure they are well executed,” Feldman added.

Prior to his role as the Delaney Campaign Political Director, Feldman spent several years working on campaigns ranging from city council seats to the presidency.  He also worked in government, most notably doing advance work for the Office of the Vice President, and in the private sector with Devine Mulvey and Rasky Baerlein, leading media and public relations firms.

Please see the testimonials that follow below, and to learn more about Feldman Strategies, visit FeldmanStrategies.com.

###

CD6: President Bill Clinton's New Robocall for Democrat John Delaney // LISTEN ONLINE

Below you can listen to a new robocall taped by President Bill Clinton, urging voters in Maryland's 6th Congressional District to support Democrat John Delaney:

RUH ROH: CD6 Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Complains About Mothers Entering the Workforce: "That Was Not a Good Thing"

The Washington Post caught a ridiculous comment from embattled 6th Congressional District Rep. Roscoe Bartlett yesterday. After comparing student loans to the Holocaust, he's now seemingly saying that the modern-day trend of mothers entering the workforce was a bad thing. The Tea Party lawmaker keeps giving this kind of ammo to supporters of his Democratic challenger John Delaney. See this quote from the Washington Post article:

ROSCOE BARTLETT: “This isn’t the politically correct thing to say, but when we drove the mother out of the home into the workplace and replaced her with the television set, that was not a good thing.”

DEBATE TONIGHT: John Delaney vs Roscoe Bartlett at Rockville Synagogue // PLUS: Jews for Justice Advance Questions 4 & 6

UPDATE: Today, Capital News Service has coverage of the latest Bartlett-Delaney debate. See a brief excerpt below:

CNS: Bartlett stood by the more than 30 votes he cast to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care reform law, but acknowledged that Republicans “do not have a well-developed alternative.” He defended his membership in the House Tea Party Caucus as “supporting a dialogue on the importance of the Constitution,” but added that he reaches across the aisle “more than probably any other Republican....”

CD6 CANDIDATES DEBATE: Throughout Maryland, much attention has been paid to what conservative and evangelical branches of Christianity have been doing with respect to Maryland politics. But today, we have two tidbits from the Jewish community in Montgomery County. The Jewish Community Relations Council invited Democrat John Delaney and GOP Rep. Roscoe Bartlett to a candidates debate tonight. The event begins at 6:30 pm tonight in Rockville, MD:

Temple Beth Ami
14330 Travilah Road
Rockville, MD 20850

This could be one of the more interesting debates in the 6th Congressional District race. First, Bartlett will have to face Delaney among a crowd of Montgomery County voters. But more importantly, it seems hard to imagine that Bartlett's recent Holocaust gaffes won't be discussed. You may recall that Bartlett recently compared federal student loans to the Holocaust.


JEWS FOR JUSTICE GEAR UP TO SUPPORT QUESTIONS 4 & 6: Meanwhile, elsewhere in Montgomery County, Jews for Justice is gearing up to help defend the Dream Act and marriage equality. See the press statement below:

PRESS RELEASE

Jewish Community in Montgomery County Mobilizes to 
Support Civil Marriage Equality and DREAM Act in Maryland

Jews United for Justice Organizes Montgomery County Jews in Support of Two Vital Maryland Ballot Issues; Momentum Builds as Area Congregations Plan Events to Educate Voters

Several area rabbis spoke to their congregations from the pulpit during the Jewish high holidays to remind congregants that Judaism requires equality under civil law for all people. Over 20 area Jewish congregations and youth and college groups are holding educational events, house meetings, canvasses, and phone banks to educate members and get out the vote in November. Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) is organizing synagogues and Jewish communities across Montgomery County to educate and mobilize voters on two critical social justice issues which will be put to a statewide vote in November: the Maryland DREAM Act and the Civil Marriage Protection Act.

Rabbi Michael Feshbach of Temple Shalom delivered the following message to his congregation in his Kol Nidre speech on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year:

“This fall we face two opportunities to step up, and stand out, to pray with our hands… to act, and by so doing, to make this world more whole.  The initiatives I refer to will appear as Questions Four and Six on the Maryland ballot.  They are the Maryland version of the Dream Act, and the issue of Marriage Equality for Same-Sex couples.  In my view, and, indeed, in the view of our Reform movement, these are measures which call for our involvement, and support….We can… remember that the work we do to better the world is something we do… as Jews, as a congregation, as a Jewish community, as an expression of our Jewish values… as well as flowing from our sense of general human decency.  We can step forward, with head and heart and hand… With education, passion, and advocacy.”

Maryland citizens will be able to vote on November 6th in support of these civil rights issues listed as Questions 4 and 6 on the ballot.  The Jewish community in Montgomery County is organizing and educating potential voters to vote based on the shared Jewish values of social justice and equality, themes common to both of these important issues.

Jewish Americans overwhelming support both issues. Chosen for What? Jewish Values in 2012, a new study completed by the Public Religion Research Institute, finds that 70% of American Jews support the federal DREAM Act.  And more than 8-in-10 (81%) American Jews support allowing same-sex couples to marry legally.

JUFJ is a non-profit organization whose mission is to lead Washington-area Jews to act on our shared Jewish values by pursuing justice and equality in our local community.  We fervently support these two important measures and know that an overwhelming majority of area Jews do so as well.

###

JuiceBlender: Goodbye Roscoe Bartlett, Confusion About Redistricting Impact, Teachers Quiz 2014 Gubernatorial Field

Here's a random blend of political tidbits from recent news, starting with a very quick update on the 6th Congressional District battle:

JUICE #1: REP. ROSCOE BARTLETT IS A GONER - Roll Call's famed national political oddsmaker Stuart Rothenberg really seems to think the outcome of Maryland's heated CD6 race is a foregone conclusion. We've noted time and again that incumbent Rep. Roscoe Bartlett keeps appearing on national lists of the most endangered Congressional incumbents. As we head into the homestretch, Rothenberg seems more certain that Bartlett is done for:

ROLL CALL: It is three weeks before Election Day and a handful of incumbents are already seeing the writing on the wall. They won’t be coming back to Congress. It’s time to look for other gainful employment or merely enjoy the quiet pleasures of forced retirement.... The same fate awaits Maryland Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, who remains a heavy underdog against John Delaney (D) in a district that doesn’t resemble his old one.

I must admit that for a race like this, there are many variables that a candidate cannot control -- such as the partisanship of his/her district, and to a certain extent how much money they can raise. But for those factors that a candidate can control, Bartlett has not played his cards correctly.  Early on in the cycle, Maryland Juice warned that the longtime Republican incumbent's Tea Party profile would not play well with the new flood of Montgomery County voters in his District. But there have been few meaningful attempts from Bartlett to moderate the extremism in his voting record prior to this cycle. Furthermore, news reports are now questioning how hard Bartlett is campaigning for his seat. Yesterday, The Baltimore Sun's John Fritze called Bartlett "hard to find" in the state's top Congressional race (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN: As she hurried to a Metro station after shaking hands with Democratic congressional candidate John Delaney, Lawrencia Atakora said she'd support him because of his positions on the issues. But she quickly added another factor influencing her decision: She hadn't heard a word from Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett.

"I don't really know who he is," the 23-year-old Gaithersburg resident said of the Republican incumbent, who has represented Maryland's 6th District since she was 3 years old. "That could have something to do with it as well...."

A half dozen Republicans, including some Bartlett allies, quietly expressed frustration at a perceived lack of urgency by the campaign.... At the Hagerstown debate last week, for instance, Bartlett said the nation's illegal immigrants "could just as well have been 12 to 20 million terrorists."

JUICE #2: REDISTRICTING REFERENDUM RAISES QUESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE - Today, Roll Call's Abby Livingston also put out a piece analyzing the potential fallout from Maryland's redistricting referendum (Question 5). If a majority of voters support a "vote against" Question 5, Maryland will have to draw new Congressional districts. But it is unclear what that means for the short-term future of representation in Maryland (excerpt below):

ROLL CALL: On Election Day, Maryland citizens could vote to throw out their state’s 2011 Congressional redistricting map, a possibility that could lead to legal and political chaos.... Who would Maryland House Members represent in the interim? Would the old district lines, which disappear with the 112th Congress, be used, or would they serve voters under the 2011 redraw until new boundaries could be agreed to?

The consensus among Maryland establishment Republicans and Democrats is that the 2011 map will determine representation until a new map is enacted for the 2014 cycle. But some of the state’s and nation’s smartest lawyers and political scientists are scratching their heads on the legal implications of such a move. One Maryland political insider called the matter “murky....”

JUICE #3: MARYLAND TEACHERS BEGIN VETTING ALL FIVE 2014 GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES  - A Maryland Juice reader forwarded us news that this week, the 2014 governor's race is heading into full swing. The state's teachers union is formally interviewing all five 2014 gubernatorial candidates.  See the note below from an anonymous reader, along with a press announcement.

ANONYMOUS READER: I thought you might be interested in the below media advisory. Five prospective 2014 gubernatorial candidates plan to attend the 2012 Maryland State Education Association Annual Convention next week: Anthony Brown, Peter Franchot, Doug Gansler, Heather Mizeur, and Ken Ulman. They will be interviewed live by MSEA’s president, Betty Weller, for 10 minutes each. I believe this is the first time they’ll be appearing at the same event in the context of 2014. As you’ll see in the below release, Gov. O’Malley also will be in attendance, holding an hour-long town hall on Maryland’s public schools on Friday afternoon.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO:    Maryland State Education Association

WHAT:    Annual Convention

WHEN:    October 19-20, 2012

WHERE:    Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD

MSEA President Betty Weller and over 600 delegates comprised of educators from across the state will gather for MSEA’s annual convention to set association policy, hear from prospective 2014 gubernatorial candidates,* and discuss major issues impacting Maryland’s students and educators with Governor Martin O’Malley and State Superintendent Lillian Lowery.

All events listed below will take place before the full convention in Hall A unless otherwise noted.

Highlights: Friday, October 19

9:30 a.m.: Interview with Howard County Executive Ken Ulman
9:45 a.m.: Keynote address by MSEA President Betty Weller
10:45 a.m.: Interview with Delegate Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery)
11:30 a.m.: Interview with Comptroller Peter Franchot
11:50 a.m.: Remarks by Governor Martin O’Malley
1:00-2:00 p.m.: Town Hall meeting on Maryland’s public schools with Gov. O’Malley (Ballroom C)
   
Highlights: Saturday, October 20

9:05 a.m.: Delegate Q&A with Maryland State Superintendent Lillian Lowery
9:40 a.m.: Remarks by MSEA Executive Director David Helfman
10:00 a.m.: Interview with Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown
10:30 a.m.: Remarks by 2012-2013 Maryland Teacher of the Year (tentative)
10:45 a.m.: Interview with Attorney General Doug Gansler
Members of the press are requested to obtain credentials at the Information Booth on the Convention Center’s first floor. For more information on the convention, visit marylandeducators.org/convention.

* Likely and frequently rumored candidates for governor from both parties were invited to participate in the 2012 MSEA Convention. Participants were scheduled per their availability.

###

MARYLAND DEBATE SCHEDULE // Attend a Forum on Ballot Questions, Congressional Battles & School Board Races

UPDATE: The Washington Post reports that John Delaney and Rep. Roscoe Bartlett have agreed to a series of six debates. Read the WaPo coverage for times/dates/locations.

Maryland Juice reader Paul Bessel forwarded us a schedule of numerous debates scheduled this month. Below you can see a listing of events featuring candidates for Congress and school board, as well as on the marriage equality and gambling ballot questions. NOTE: The listing below includes events from around the state.

When	What Who	Sponsor Moderator	Where
Monday October 15, 2012 7pm to 9pm	Congressional Districts 3 & 4 Candidates Forum Congressman John Sarbanes (Democrat) Eric Knowles (Republican) Paul Drgos (Libertarian) Congresswoman Donna Edwards (Dem) Faith Louden (Rep) Scott Soffen (Libertarian)	Anne Arundel County League of Women Voters and American Association of University Women and Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland	Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Severna Park MD
Wednesday October 17, 2012 7pm to 8pm	Congressional District 6 Candidates Forum Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (Rep) John Delaney (Dem) Nicholaus Mueller (Libartarian)	League of Women Voters of Washington, Frederick, and Montgomery Counties	Hagerstown Community College Kepler Auditorium 11400 Robinwood Dr Hagerstown
Friday October 19, 2012 2pm to 4pm	Board of Education Candidates Forum Phil Kauffman Morris Panner Fred Evans Rebecca Smondrowski Chris Barclay Annita Seckinger	Democratic Club of Leisure World Paul M. Bessel	Leisure World Clubhouse 1 Baltimore Room
Saturday October 20, 2012 3pm to 5pm	Ballot Questions 6 & 7 (Same-Sex Marriage & Gambling Expansion)	League of Women Voters of Maryland and Norman and Florence Brody Family Foundation Public Policy Forum	Friendship Heights Village Center 4433 S. Park Ave Chevy Chase
Wednesday October 24, 2012 6:45pm to 9pm	Board of Education Candidates Forum Phil Kauffman Morris Panner Fred Evans Rebecca Smondrowski Chris Barclay Annita Seckinger	Progressive Neighbors State Delegate Bonnie Cullison Sharon Dooley Marva Deskins	Takoma Park Presbyterian Church Assembly Hall 310 Tulip Ave (at Maple St) Takoma Park
Monday October 29, 2012 6:15pm to 7:45pm	Board of Education Candidates Forum Phil Kauffman Morris Panner Fred Evans Rebecca Smondrowski Chris Barclay Annita Seckinger	League of Women Voters of Montgomery County and American Association of University Women	Wheaton Library 11701 Georgia Avenue

CD6: National Pundits Rate Race Between John Delaney & Rep. Roscoe Bartlett // PLUS: Bill Clinton to Host Delaney Fundraiser

UPDATE: The Washington Post has now endorsed John Delaney in an editorial that contains harsh criticism of Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's record (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST:  We endorse Mr. Delaney.... In his 10 terms in office, the folksy Mr. Bartlett has not been the most dogmatic Republican on Capitol Hill.... Yet on the fiscal and budgetary issues that have paralyzed Washington, Mr. Bartlett has marched in lockstep with his party’s most doctrinaire elements. He has been a champion of the tea party, refusing to raise taxes under any circumstances, opposing Obamacare and stimulus spending to jump-start the economy....

Mr. Delaney is a newcomer to politics, but he is exceptionally well-versed in domestic issues.... Mr. Bartlett, after 20 years, is something very different: an ideologue who has become a part of the problem in Washington and in Congress. 

Below Maryland Juice provides a quick update on the state of the 6th Congressional District race between Democrat John Delaney & incumbent Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. The hyper-fast news cycle is currently focused on the fact that Delaney didn't vote in two elections in 2006 and 2008. But today, the oddsmakers still think that Bartlett is likely to be ousted from his seat. See a few news items below:

JUICE #1: NATIONAL JOURNAL RATES ROSCOE BARTLETT'S SEAT 3RD MOST LIKELY TO FLIP IN THE NATION - Today, the oddsmakers at the National Journal rated Maryland's 6th Congressional District seat the third most likely in the nation to switch from one party to the other (excerpt below):

NATIONAL JOURNAL: For the first time in four cycles, no wave is emerging for either side, and that's making the landscape a little trickier to judge than in recent times.... In our rankings, we consider the candidates' fundraising ability; public and private polling; months of our cumulative reporting and analysis; and, of course, our own gut feelings.... Without further ado, the districts we expect to be competitive this cycle, ranked in order of most likely to change partisan control today (and with last month's rankings noted):

3. (4) MD-06 (R, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett): If you know any Republicans not employed by Bartlett who think he's going to win, we'd love to hear from them.

JUICE #2: NYT NOTES TEA PARTY SUPPORT IS A LIABILITY FOR ROSCOE BARTLETT - The main reason Bartlett is in trouble, is because after redistricting he ended up with a district that Obama carried by several points -- mostly thanks to a large chunk of new liberal Montgomery County voters. But his love for Tea Party politics is now making his re-election extremely difficult (if not impossible). GOP Chair Alex Mooney must be excited to see the seat he covets is looking more and more available every day. The New York Times today noted that throughout the nation Tea Party favorites like Roscoe Bartlett, are suddenly finding their support for extreme right politics to be a huge political liability (excerpt below):

NEW YORK TIMES: In states where the Democrats have a clear advantage in the presidential race, Tea Party-blessed incumbents like Representative Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland, Representative Joe Walsh of Illinois and Representative Ann Marie Buerkle of New York are all in deep trouble.

“They are Tea Party stars,” said Representative Steve Israel of New York, who leads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “And their stars have faded....”

JUICE #3: DELANEY SHORES UP HIS BACKSIDE WITH BILL CLINTON - While Roscoe Bartlett's campaign has floundered, John Delaney's campaign has been cautiously inching forward. But Roll Call's Abby Livingston announced today that Delaney is stepping things up with a visit from El Presidente Bill Clinton:

ROLL CALL: President Bill Clinton is set to appear Oct. 16 at a Washington, D.C., fundraiser for businessman John Delaney’s campaign for Maryland’s 6th district

No minimum donation was requested for the afternoon event.... The fundraiser is set for the Georgetown home of David and Katherine Bradley, the invitation said.

MORE ON THE CD6 RACE SOON!

CD6: John Delaney's New Radio Ad Criticizes Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's Comments Comparing Student Loans to the Holocaust

Democrat John Delaney is running a new radio ad that criticizes Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's record on education. The piece below also highlights Bartlett's recent comments comparing student loans to the Holocaust:



More on the CD6 race soon!

CD6 VIDEO: New Television Ad from Democrat John Delaney - "Jump Rope"

Democrat John Delaney is out with a new television ad in his race to take GOP Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's seat:

CD6: Maryland Democratic Party Files Ethics Complaint Against Rep. Roscoe Bartlett and Maryland GOP Chair Alex Mooney

Last Friday, I speculated that Maryland's GOP Chair Alex Mooney was creating unnecessary distractions for the campaign of Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. Mooney, as it turns out, was improperly working for Bartlett's U.S. House office while also raising money as a candidate for Bartlett's seat.

The Maryland Democratic Party is now filing a U.S. House ethics complaint against both Rep. Roscoe Bartlett and GOP Chair Alex Mooney. See the press statement and complaint below:

PRESS RELEASE

Maryland Democratic Party Files U.S. House Ethics Complaint 

Against Roscoe Bartlett and Alex Mooney

ANNAPOLIS (September 25, 2012) - The Maryland Democratic Party today sent a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics requesting an investigation into the conduct of U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md) and Alex X. Mooney.

Federal Election Commission Records show that on March 5, 2012, Mr. Mooney filed a Statement of Candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. House for the 6th Congressional District in Maryland, the same district represented by Congressman Bartlett.

Mr. Mooney confirmed in the press, in an article appearing on July 2, 2012, that he had, subsequent to becoming a candidate for Rep. Bartlett’s seat, become a part-time employee on Congressman Bartlett’s official staff, with the title of “community outreach director.” 

“Despite dismissing his conduct as a 'clerical error', the fact remains that by running to succeed Rep. Bartlett while being employed by him, Mr. Mooney has violated the House Ethics Rules and, depending on the circumstances, Rep. Bartlett may have improperly used official resources for campaign activity, said Maryland Democratic Party Executive Director David Sloan. "We have asked the Office of Congressional Ethics to conduct an investigation into this serious matter."

### MDP Letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics regarding Roscoe Bartlett and Alex Mooney

More on the CD6 race soon!

CD6: Maryland GOP Chair Alex Mooney Improperly Worked for Rep. Roscoe Bartlett // MD Dems Want Tax Dollars Returned

Yesterday, The Washington Post's Ben Pershing revealed that Maryland GOP Chair Alex Mooney may have been violating U.S. House ethics rules while working for Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's office (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: House ethics rules say an aide can’t run to succeed his or her boss and stay on the congressional payroll, but a staffer for Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) did so for the past four months.... Mooney, who also serves as chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, has been on Bartlett’s staff since June, according to House payroll records....

CD6: John Delaney's New Radio Ad Talks Bi-Partisanship // Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's Democratic Opponent Claims Independence

Maryland's 6th Congressional District candidate John Delaney is out with a new radio ad in his race against Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. In the 60-second spot, which appeared on Delaney's YouTube channel, the Democratic challenger claims he will "work across party lines" to get things done. The new ad also states "John Delaney will be independent. In the Democratic Primary, he took on the candidate backed by the political machine and Delaney won." See the ad below:



Maryland Juice hopes that engaging in bipartisanship and standing up for core Democratic values are not mutually exclusive.

CD6 ANALYSIS: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Lacking Appeal in Montgomery County // Will Delaney Capitalize on GOP Gaffes?

MARYLAND JUICE'S ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CD6 RACE

BACKGROUND: Maryland's 6th Congressional District race is one the nation's most competitive contests for the November 6 elections. Indeed, Maryland Juice has been tracking this slugfest ever since Maryland Democrats redistricted Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's seat to become a majority Democratic U.S. House district. Note: check out our CD6 article archive. The formerly Western-Maryland anchored district now includes a majority of voters who supported President Barack Obama in 2008 -- including many voters in strongly Democratic Montgomery County and the city of Frederick.

MARYLAND JUICE'S QUICK ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT CD6 RACE: For Rep. Roscoe Bartlett to hold onto his seat, his campaign would need to make a number of things happen. First, they would have to appeal to some percentage of the new Democratic majority in CD6. Second, they would have to hope that either overall turnout was low in the Democratic areas of the new district or that enthusiasm for John Delaney remained low. Lastly, they would have to hope for high turnout among GOP base voters in CD6. Here's our take on how these factors are currently playing out:

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's Recent Attack Ad Against John Delaney

WILL NEGATIVE ADS REDUCE SUPPORT FOR DELANEY? - Here's the problem for Roscoe Bartlett: This is a presidential election cycle, which means that turnout will be higher than in off-year cycles (like during the Tea Party wave of 2010). Pinning your re-election hopes on low turnout in a presidential year is no way to win an election. Both the GOP and Democratic bases have additional reasons to be active in Maryland this year, but frankly there are more Democratic than Republican voters in CD6. So barring unusually low turnout in Montgomery County, Bartlett will have to count on finding artificial ways to suppress Delaney's share of the Democratic vote.

This is clearly where the Bartlett campaign's recent attacks on Delaney's environmental record come into play. The Maryland GOP has been sending mail pieces to Democratic voters trying to paint Delaney as a callous member of the 1%. Meanwhile, Bartlett is on TV with similar attack ads against Delaney. Clearly, the Bartlett campaign is trying to raise Delaney's negatives and suppress his support among Democrats.

One unusual feature to this strategy, however, is that Roscoe Bartlett himself does not appear to stand by the negative ads or even know what his campaign operatives and allies are saying. The Gazette recently covered this bizarre disconnect (excerpt below):

GAZETTE: At a recent town hall meeting, a man confronted Bartlett with what he perceived to be a negative campaign on the congressman’s part....

When the man handed Bartlett a campaign flier he’d received in the mail that labeled Delaney a “loan shark,” Bartlett shrugged it off. “That wasn’t me; that was the campaign,” he said, handing back the flier and shaking his head.

In a more recent exchange, Bartlett’s opponent called out the congressman for quoting a 2006 opinion piece in Forbes magazine, entitled “Loan Shark,” for Delaney’s business practice of lending money to small businesses....

“Oddly enough, the veteran Republican actually defended Delaney against accusations that he ripped off small businesses in favor of making bigger profits in the financial loaning industry. ‘I have no idea how he could be called a loan shark,’ said Bartlett....”

CAN ROSCOE BARTLETT SELL HIMSELF AS AN INDEPENDENT VOICE? - While trying to reduce support for Delaney, Bartlett is also trying to re-brand himself as an independent voice in Congress. His campaign is now attempting to make Bartlett more palatable to moderate, independent and Democratic voters  in the new CD6. The New York Times recently profiled a number of embattled House Republicans who are now claiming the mantle of bi-partisanship. Maryland's Roscoe Bartlett, of course, is included in the NYT mix (excerpt below):

NEW YORK TIMES:  In campaign advertisements, some lawmakers who once dug in against Democrats now promote the wonders of bipartisanship. And legislatively, Republicans in tough races are seeking to soften their edges by moderating their votes, tossing their teacups and otherwise projecting a conciliatory image to voters.

The Republican quest for bipartisanship — at least nominally — is not hard to explain. A New York Times/CBS News poll conducted last week and released this weekend showed that 44 percent of Americans see Republicans at fault for gridlock in Washington, compared with 29 percent who blame President Obama and the Democrats....

On election night in 2010, as Tea Party conservatives were being swept into office, Representative Roscoe G. Bartlett of Maryland, a 10-term Republican, declared: “The Tea Party came to where I was. I’ve always been there.”

But then came Maryland’s redistricting and an influx of Democratic voters to Mr. Bartlett’s once-reliable Republican corner of the state. Now much of his advertising emphasizes his support for higher education, including contributions to college funds out of his own pocket.

“Roscoe has never been afraid to buck his own party,” a radio ad intones. “Roscoe Bartlett, an independent voice for Maryland....”

BARTLETT'S GAFFES ARE DISTRACTING VOTERS FROM HIS MESSAGE: The reality, in Maryland Juice's honest opinion, is that it is hard to implement campaign messaging strategy when your candidate veers off course. In Maryland's CD6, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett has been veering wildly off course. Much media attention has been drawn to his recent comments comparing student loans to the Holocaust. The Frederick News-Post, for example, today published an editorial blasting Bartlett's Holocaust comments. But they also took the opportunity to dredge out past examples of Bartlett's gaffes (excerpt below):

FREDERICK NEWS-POST: U.S. Roscoe Bartlett faced a firestorm of attention in the past couple of weeks for his unfortunate invocation of the Holocaust to illustrate how ignoring the Constitution could result in serious ramifications.... Cue the sharp intake of breath, then the apology, then a call to resign....

As longtime 6th District constituents already know, the congressman has flubbed publicly before. Bartlett had been in office for only three months in 1993 when he referred to Asian-American names on a list of scholarship recipients, saying they didn't "represent the normal American." Naturally, a firestorm ensued after the story was first published in The Washington Post.

Then, during a 2002 announcement of expansion plans for Fort Detrick's PX and commissary, Bartlett questioned continued funding for cleaning up a polluted site on post.

IF A TREE FALLS IN THE WOODS // WILL THE DELANEY CAMPAIGN CAPITALIZE? - One great unknown in the CD6 race, is whether John Delaney will start airing advertisements highlighting Bartlett's record and gaffes. After all, it is currently unclear what percentage of CD6 voters have even heard about Bartlett's holocaust comments. My suspicion would be that a relatively small percentage of CD6 voters happened to be reading The Baltimore Sun, Frederick News-Post, Washington Post or Huffington Post at the time that Bartlett made the Holocaust comments. That means that unforced errors from the Bartlett campaign ought to present John Delaney with a "use it or lose it" choice to make about his advertising buys. After all, how many Montgomery Democrats will believe any attempts by the Bartlett campaign to moderate his image after hearing his comments about students loans and the Holocaust?

Yesterday, for example, a CD6 economic development blogger wrote a post titled "Why I Oppose Re-Election of Roscoe Bartlett," and they highlighted his long history of rightwing positions on issues. The blogger, at a site called "Thoughts about K4D" showed a scatterplot comparing Roscoe Bartlett to other members of Congress, and how based on his bill sponsorships, he is among the most rightwing Republicans in the U.S. House (see the graph below, noting that I've circled Bartlett's position):

The CD6 blogger also highlighted Bartlett's votes on a range of issues:

• Voted YES on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion. (May 2011)
• Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on terminating the Home Affordable mortgage Program. (Mar 2011)
• Voted NO on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
• Voted NO on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (Mar 2009)
• Voted NO on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Jan 2009)
• Voted NO on monitoring TARP funds to ensure more mortgage relief. (Jan 2009)
• Voted NO on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)
• Voted NO on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
• Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. (Nov 2007)
• Rated 7% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 25% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
• Voted NO on letting shareholders vote on executive compensation. (Jul 2009)
• Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. (Sep 1998)
• Voted YES on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
• Voted NO on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 30% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
• Voted NO on supporting democratic institutions in Pakistan. (Jun 2009)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (Apr 2011)
• Abolish federal Medicare entitlement; leave it to states. (Dec 2000)
• Limit anti-trust lawsuits on health plans and insurers. (Mar 2002)
• Rated 22% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Redefine "birthright citizenship" to exclude illegal aliens. (Jan 2011)
• Declare English as the official language of the US. (Feb 2007)
• Declared English the official language of the US. (Jan 1999)
• Rated 0% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation. (Dec 2006)

FINAL THOUGHT: Many of the aforementioned details would surely alarm the numerous Democratic voters in the new CD6. But the question remains, will Democrat John Delaney go on the offensive or will he try to quietly ride into the sunset?

CD6 VIDEO: Oy Vey! Another Holocaust Gaffe from Roscoe Bartlett // GOP Incumbent Lacking Campaign Discipline?

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett took heat last week when video surfaced of the 6th Congressional District incumbent comparing student loans to the Holocaust. But the gaffe-fest continues, as Politico today released another video, but this time Bartlett compares the Patriot Act to Nazi Germany and again invokes the Holocaust. Oy vey! You can watch the video below, but here is Politico's take (excerpt below):

POLITICO: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett had to apologize recently after his remark last week suggesting that federal student loans were unconstitutional and citing the Holocaust as an example of what happens when government heads down the wrong path.

Turns out, that was Bartlett's second Holocaust reference in two days.

A day before his student loan comment, Bartlett called the PATRIOT Act a violation of civil liberties and the “least patriotic thing” he had voted for in Congress. Ignoring the Constitution is a “slippery slope,” Bartlett said, before suggesting a parallel with Nazi Germany....

Bartlett, who has been in office since 1993, faces a tough re-election battle against Democrat John Delaney.

It seems to me that Rep. Roscoe Bartlett may lack the discipline required to hold onto his seat this November. These videos just defy common sense for a candidate, even before considering the tough race Bartlett faces.

CD6 VIDEO: Democrat John Delaney Airs TV Ads to Counter GOP Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's Negative Attacks // WATCH ONLINE

Maryland Juice recently discussed negative ads that are beginning to appear in the 6th District Congressional race. First, the Maryland GOP sent negative direct mail about an environmentally irresponsible  dump that John Delaney's company CapitalSource financed. Then incumbent Rep. Roscoe Bartlett went on television with an attack ad accusing John Delaney of financing a nursing home company that "mistreated" seniors.

John Delaney is now on the air with a television and radio response to the accusations. Watch the Delaney TV ad and listen to his radio ad below:

John Delaney's Television Response to Rep. Roscoe Bartlett



John Delaney's Radio Response to Rep. Roscoe Bartlett


More on the CD6 race soon!

OMG in CD6: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Says Federal Student Loans Are Unconstitutional & Compares Them to Holocaust

UPDATE: The Washington Post's Ben Pershing now has a follow-up to his mind-blowing article about Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's Holocaust comments. Bartlett is now apologizing for his statements after his campaign spokesperson first said his remarks were in line with his philosophy. See their attempts to walk it back below (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: After initially defending Bartlett’s statement, his campaign issued an apology Thursday afternoon. “While explaining my position on an important constitutional issue, I regrettably used an extreme example as a comparison that was ill-advised and inappropriate,” Bartlett said. “I should never use something as horrific as the Holocaust to make a political point, and I deeply apologize to anyone I may have offended.”

The Washington Post's Ben Pershing is reporting on an insane development in Maryland's 6th Congressional District. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, who is already in the fight of his life against Democratic businessman John Delaney, has now compared federal student loans to the Holocaust (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: [Roscoe Bartlett] explained that he had read through the Constitution carefully and could find no evidence “that the federal government should be involved in education....”

“Not that it’s not a good idea to give students loans, it certainly is a good idea to give them loans,” Bartlett said. “But if you can ignore the Constitution to do something good today, tomorrow you will be ignoring the Constitution to do something bad. You could. There are more people in our, in America today of German ancestry than any other [inaudible]. The Holocaust that occurred in Germany — how in the heck could that happen? And when you start down the wrong road, it can be a very slippery slope....”

VIDEO SYNOPSIS: Bartlett was asked at a town hall meeting about whether he believes in federal student loans. He pulls out a pocket copy of the Constitution and says he thinks they are unconstitutional. Then he proceeds to compare the federal student loans to the Holocaust, invoking the slippery slope argument. See the video below. Oy vey!

CD6 VIDEO: Roscoe Bartlett Airs 1st Negative TV Ad Against Democrat John Delaney // PLUS: Read Delaney's Response

BARTLETT THROWS FIRST PUNCH: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett has followed up on recent GOP attack mail against his opponent John Delaney, with a new negative TV ad against the Democratic challenger. The Washington Post's Ben Pershing reported on the context and content for the ad (excerpt below).

WASHINGTON POST: Bartlett’s TV ad, his first of the general election, takes aim at some of the companies that took loans from Capital Source....

“Delaney’s company owned nursing homes where Medicare inspectors found mistreatment of seniors, including failing to properly administer medication and failing to treat seniors with dignity and respect."

“Delaney’s company also backed a landfill that was shut down for illegally accepting thousands of tons of trash."

You can also watch the Roscoe Bartlett attack ad below:



John Delaney's campaign responded with the following press statement and rebuttals:

VIDEO: Roscoe Bartlett Says Not Many Abortions Caused by Rape & Incest // PLUS: Sierra Club & LCV Defend John Delaney

REP. ROSCOE BARTLETT'S VIEWS ON ABORTION UNDER SCRUTINY: Recently, GOP Rep. Roscoe Bartlett has been bogged down in controversy surrounding his views on abortion. After Missouri's Republican Senate nominee Todd Akin became a national laughing-stock for suggesting that "legitimate rape" (whatever that is) did not usually cause pregnancy, pundits started examining the records of GOP candidates nationwide. Bartlett, locked in a tight race to maintain his 6th Congressional District seat, faced criticism from Democratic circles for co-sponsoring draconian anti-choice legislation with Rep. Akin. The Frederick News-Post covered the controversy and highlighted how Bartlett, though anti-choice, now believes that there should be exceptions for rape and incest. Some are suggesting this is a flip-flop (excerpt below):