Saqib Ali vs. Maryland GOP "Crazies" // Plus, an Op-ed Steel Cage Match: Young Dem vs. Old GOP

UPDATE: Montgomery County GOP Chair Mark Uncapher responds to this article in the comments section. Check it out!

Earlier this month, Maryland Juice broke the story about a controversial Republican Women's Club event being held in Chevy Chase. At issue was/is their choice of speaker: former Congressman and local radio personality, Fred Grandy. In our prior coverage, we noted:

Fred Grandy is a former member of the U.S. House from Iowa, but he is better known as 'Gopher' from the television series the Love Boat. He recently gained notoriety after being fired from his most recent gig as a morning radio personality on WMAL. Grandy's increasingly anti-Muslim show was pushed off the air after on-air comments his wife made....

The fight is now blowing up, with the Montgomery County GOP Chair stepping into the fray, multiple protests, and a lot of angry right-wing blog entries.  

Read Maryland Juice's snapshot below -- and -- check out our new blog feature: "Op-Ed Steel Cage Match." Today's competitors? Young DEM vs. Old GOP.

O'Malley's Big Test: West Virginia Governor's Race // Plus, Who is Colm O'Comartun?

Today, I received an email solicitation from someone named "Colm O'Comartun." The message contained a one-word subject line: "tonight."

Don't worry, I am not about to break news about Maryland's next sex scandal.

For those who may be unfamiliar with Mr. O'Comartun, he is currently serving as Executive Director of the Democratic Governor's Association (DGA). O'Comartun was selected by Governor O'Malley, who took over as Chair of the DGA early this year. Today's email message, read (in part):

BREAKING: Anne Arundel Councilman Daryl Jones Pleads Guilty to 5 Years of Unfiled Taxes

Here's a quick newsclip on this breaking development. The Baltimore Sun reports:

An Anne Arundel County Councilman pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to a single count of failing to file a tax return.

Councilman Daryl D. Jones, a Democrat from Severn who is serving his second four-year term on the County Council, entered the plea in Baltimore before U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Hollander.

Assistant U.S Attorney Gregory Bockin said in court that Jones failed to file both his personal and corporate tax returns for five years — from 2002 to 2007. Under a plea agreement, Jones will pay back the loss to the government pegged at $108,369.57.

Bob Barker to Rockville, MD: Proposed Hunt "Cruel, Pointless"

Former Price is Right host Bob Barker waded into Rockville politics this month with an appeal to the city's Mayor and Council. The letter, which was emailed to city officials on August 20th, reads (in part):

Dear Citizens of Rockville, Maryland:

COME ON DOWN and tell your mayor and city council that you can learn to share your great city with the deer! I know that you can do it! But you must do it in writing by September 9. And you must be at the meeting for the decision on Oct. 24. I am begging you to make time to go....

I have unfortunately recently discovered that my deer friends in your city may be killed....

You can read the full letter below.

Maryland Juice PSA: Gaithersburg Election on TUE 11/8/11

Gaithersburg City Manager Angel Jones recently alerted the public to upcoming elections:

It’s an odd numbered year, and that means it is election time in the City of Gaithersburg.  On Tuesday, November 8, 2011 registered voters in Gaithersburg will go to the polls to elect three City Council members.  The terms of office for Council Members Jud Ashman, Cathy Drzyzgula and Ryan Spiegel expire in November. Local municipal elections are typically challenged by voter turnout. 

Incumbent City Councilmembers Jud Ashman, Cathy Drzyzgula and Ryan Spiegel are all running for re-election. But tonight, Ashman and Drzyzgula are kicking off their joint re-election effort (ie: two-person slate campaign) with an event in Gaithersburg. Their colleague, Michael Sesma, sent the following invitation via Facebook:

Tea Party Albatross for Frederick Politicians // Plus, Blaine Young for Recall (or Governor)

UPDATE: A reader emailed us the following message: "I live in Frederick County and just wanted to add that no story on Blaine Young is complete without mention of the Black Book Scandal." They link to a NY Times article headlined: "City Combs Madam’s ’Black Book’ for the Names It Knows." 

You can also read Mr. Young's fascinating 2004 blog post addressing the allegations: "I’m in the so-called 'Black Book'. Now what?" The NYT article, however, may explain his 2002 party-switch:

Ms. Potter's list has already helped end one career, that of Blaine Young, whose name was on a partial list released in 2001. Mr. Young, an alderman at the time and the son of a former mayor, said he had hired the women to dance at parties, not for sex. He decided not to run for re-election after The News-Post published reports on his liaisons.

In an editorial yesterday, the Frederick News Post fired warning shots at their 100%-Republican Board of County Commissioners. In particular, the editorial writers pointed out coverage of recent polls showing that the Tea Party's standing with the public has plummeted:

Gen. Wesley Clark to Maryland Juice: The Truth About Sen. Rosapepe

Last week Maryland Juice went out on a limb and outed State Senator Jim Rosapepe as a candidate for 2014 Maryland Comptroller.

In doing so, Maryland Juice apparently attracted a new reader: former Presidential candidate General Wesley Clark!

Our elegantly titled article, OUTED: Jim Rosapepe for Comptroller // Moustache for Lt. Comptroller, provided some historical context for Rosapepe's 2006 State Senate primary, but we apparently quoted a Daily Kos diary from user Sharon in MD that contained some inaccurate information:

"Jim Rosapepe may be a familiar name to Howard Dean supporters in Maryland as he supported the Dean candidacy in 2004." 

2004 Presidential Candidate and Retired Army General Wesley Clark contacted Maryland Juice to provide this correction: