Ruben and Raskin square off in heated District 20 debate

Democrats spotlight contrasts, share similarities in campaign platforms

Wednesday, July 26, 2006
by Meredith Hooker
Staff Writer

In a jam-packed forum, incumbent Ida G. Ruben of Silver Spring told voters about what she’s accomplished in the 32 years she’s served District 20 as a delegate and senator.

Newcomer Jamie Raskin of Takoma Park told voters that it’s time for change, and he’s the best person to bring new ideas to Annapolis. Ruben hasn’t had a Democratic opponent since 1990.

‘‘The point is, Senator Ruben, not that you’ve been there too long, the point is that your politics are wrong for this district,” Raskin said.

‘‘I’m very proud of my record,” Ruben said. ‘‘It’s a liberal one, it’s a progressive one. ... I am my own voice there. Just ask [state Sen. President Thomas Mike V. Miller Jr.]. He’ll tell you.”

The event, moderated by Takoma Voice editor Eric Bond, was heated, with supporters cheering loudly for the candidate they supported, and even hissing when the opponent said something they didn’t agree with. At one point, Bond, like a good referee, had to ask the audience to keep its enthusiasm civil.

The two candidates disagree strongly on issues like campaign contributions and the Intercounty Connector highway.

Ruben supports the Intercounty Connector, as do many other legislators, she said. Raskin does not because he said he doesn’t believe it will alleviate traffic.

Raskin supports zero percent corporate contributions in elections. Ruben, however, accepts campaign contributions from corporations and — as Raskin pointed out — supported a bill that raised the cap on corporate contributions from $10,000 to $20,000, legislation that hadn’t been modified since the 1970s.

Raskin, who said he has not accepted corporate contributions, asked Ruben to join him in supporting a ban on corporate contributions in elections; Ruben said she couldn’t do that without listening to all the arguments for and against such a move.

Many candidates benefit from corporate contributions and by increasing the cap, even more candidates could benefit because the corporations can give more money to more people, she said.

Ruben said she understands Raskin’s position and added if there were a way candidates could effectively raise money without the help of corporations, she wouldn’t be against supporting zero corporate financing.

Raskin also criticized Ruben for raising money outside the district. However, Ruben said, Raskin held a fund-raiser in Manhattan.

‘‘I agree that it’s difficult to raise money and sometimes you can’t stay within the confines of your district,” she said.

Another of Raskin’s goals is to register every high school student in Maryland to vote. However, Ruben pointed out, you can’t make students register to vote before they graduate since many of them won’t be old enough and others may not be U.S. citizens, and therefore can’t vote anyway.

But Raskin and Ruben, who both define themselves as liberal and progressive, also agree on many issues. The Bi-County Transitway should be built. State comptroller William Donald Schaefer (D) should resign. Everyone should be able to have health care, and there are too many people in the state that don’t have it. Small businesses in Silver Spring should experience the same success as new businesses that have set up shop in the downtown.

And both want to be advocates for residents of Takoma Park and Silver Spring, as well as the county and state.

‘‘My goal is a simple one,” Raskin said. ‘‘I want to be the best state senator District 20 has ever had. ... The politics of yesterday don’t meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

People who live in District 20 are ‘‘disconnected from the political machine,” Raskin said, adding he wants to bring people into the politics in Annapolis.

Ruben said her goal is to continue to work hard for the district, county and the state, as she has for the past 30-plus years.

‘‘I’m not what you call a person who goes and listens to everything leadership says,” she said, reminding the audience she took the floor and voted against slots — something many residents in the state were against, despite the fact that several political leaders supported them.

She’s also fought for money for the district and county, she said, and obtained money for major projects like the downtown Silver Spring redevelopment and the Takoma Park Community Center.

‘‘I’m today’s person, I’m tomorrow’s person,” she said.