Many expected another big name candidate to challenge the Republican incumbent this year. Mark Shriver -- son of Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, JFK's nephew, Maria's brother and Arnold's brother in law -- came in a close second to a lesser known rival in the Democratic primary. That rival, Chris Van Hollen out-organized Shriver to win the chance to challenge the Congresswoman so well established she's known by her first name: "Connie."

On his way to winning the primary, Van Hollen locked up the endorsements of most local Democratic activists, and swept every local newspaper endorsement, including the Washington Post's. All endorsers noted that while others cast appropriate votes, Van Hollen does that and more. When it comes to the issues important to voters in this district, Van Hollen's record for leadership and success are second to none.

Gun safety is a big issue in Maryland. Morella's record is good, but Van Hollen's is much better. All the gun safety groups back Van Hollen. Education is another key concern. The teachers support Van Hollen.

On jobs, the environment, transportation, civil rights, women's issues -- all across the board -- Friends of the Earth, NOW, labor, and others leading on the issues recognize a fellow leader in Van Hollen and give him their enthusiastic support. Morella -- a moderate Republican who has been trending rightward -- talks the talk. Chris Van Hollen not only walks the walk, he leads the march.

The Takoma Voice endorsed Van Hollen because: "As amazing as it may seem, we in Takoma Park could -- with our votes -- directly help tip the balance of power in the House from the ultra-conservative grip of Republicans to a more progressive and sensible Democratic leadership. So we must choose carefully between the leading Democratic candidates Chris Van Hollen, Mark Shriver, and Ira Shapiro. All three, in our view, stand a good chance of unseating Morella in the November general election. Each would likely serve well if elected."

Sensitivity to the precarious balance of power informed this independent local publication's decision. This is key, because many of its readers are new to the 8th District. These newcomers have never cast a vote for Morella, and their choice could well decide this dead-heat contest.

Like most voters here, Takoma Park residents understand politics well. They know the stakes in the 2002 election. Making their remarkably early August endorsement, the Voice said, "[T]he impressive legislative record and leadership of Van Hollen as an Annapolis senator place him clearly above the other candidates, in our view."

The Voice identified Van Hollen as "the most decorated environmental legislator in Maryland history, having taken the lead in passing landmark bills which, among other things, permanently ban oil and gas exploration in the Chesapeake Bay and make Maryland a national leader in tax incentives for energy-efficient cars and appliances."

They praised Van Hollen's leadership on education: "He is also fiercely loved by the state's teachers for his leadership role in crafting bill after bill that brings funds and accountability to Montgomery County classrooms."

See: Too important to wait: We endorse Van Hollen now, Takoma Voice Editorial, August, 2002: http://www.vanhollen2002.com/takoma_voice.htm.

The Washington Post endorsed Chris Van Hollen in the primary, stressing his "depth and breadth of achievement as a legislator." The Post noted, "During his four years as a delegate and eight years as a state senator, Mr. Van Hollen has proven himself industrious, highly skilled and enormously effective. Leaders of Montgomery County, as well as groups advocating gun control, anti-smoking legislation and the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay, all learned that Mr. Van Hollen was the legislator to see in order to get things done."

The Post reported that Van Hollen's "creative, sophisticated approach was key to winning a significant increase in state funding for Montgomery County schools as well as schools in the rest of Maryland. On many other issues as well, Mr. Van Hollen's grasp of substance and of the nuances of compromise without caving in proved central; he could stand up to governors, but he also knew how to form coalitions and count votes. As a freshman in the House, he galvanized opposition to state aid for stadiums with a bill to use the money for schools. That didn't stop the stadiums, but money for school construction tripled."

Was Van Hollen's lack of national experience a problem? No. Because although, "Capitol Hill is not Annapolis," the Post noted "the skills and independent thinking that Mr. Van Hollen has abundantly demonstrated in crafting and advancing state legislation would serve him in good stead if he were elected to Congress. And, in part thanks to his earlier experience on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as a Washington lobbyist for Gov. William Donald Schaefer, Mr. Van Hollen already is knowledgeable and thoughtful on national and international issues. In a talented field, he is a standout."

See: Maryland's 8th, Washington Post, September 5, 2002; Page A30: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A38445-2002Sep4¬Found=true.

Oddly, the Post opted to switch to Morella for the general election in its editorial October 22, but this came as no shock. Earlier, the Post endorsed all three Republicans for all three Northern Virginia congressional races -- as well as Republican Senator Warner. However -- given the Post's effusive praise of Van Hollen in September and in their recent opinion even alongside their robotic Republican rubber stamp -- it's difficult to see this as much of an endorsement for Morella. The Washington Post flip-flop can't outshine the several diverse, critically important endorsements Van Hollen held on to:

In a stunning reversal, the National Organization for Women endorsed Van Hollen over his opponent because although "in several past elections [they] have endorsed Connie Morella. Sadly, since the ascension of right-wing leadership in the U.S. House, her voice for women has become increasingly ineffectual. She has fought hard for some issues, only to see her party and president abandon her. On some other issues, particularly on tax cuts for the wealthy and where business interests are at stake, her votes are no longer consistent with her history of supporting women."

As the leading women's interest group explains, "During the two years of this administration, Morella voted for measures which clearly harm women. We are particularly concerned about her vote for a bankruptcy overhaul (H.R.33) that is especially detrimental to women and children who are owed child support."

NOW's disappointment with Morella extends beyond "women's issues," as they lament, "Unfortunately, this is not the only vote that Rep. Morella has cast which favored monied interests above women and children. We were distressed that she supported the $1.35 trillion tax cut packages which dramatically favored the wealthy and will result in more budget deficits and consequently less funding for much needed programs. Her support for repealing the ergonomic standards benefited big business, leaving injured workers, the majority female, with no real recourse. Morella's vote to make it more difficult for individuals to file class action law suits in state courts puts even more obstacles in the path of those injured by the actions of big corporations."

While Morella's commitment to women's issues and the other issues most important to the 8th District waned, Chris Van Hollen has fought for his constituents consistently. In selecting the challenger, NOW concluded:

"For Montgomery County, Md., activists who have fought for women's rights, economic empowerment, educational rights, sexual orientation non-discrimination and environmental rights, Chris Van Hollen is a hero. Chapter and state NOW activists are proud of his accomplishments on behalf of Maryland women. The bills that they have depended on him to carry have become groundbreaking law. NOW is a grassroots organization which gives great deference to the strong recommendations from local activists. We proudly endorse Chris Van Hollen for the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 8th District."

In another sharp break with the past, the Gazette Newspapers almost wistfully endorsed Van Hollen after backing Morella in each of her past campaigns: "Republican Connie Morella has served the 8th Congressional District with honor for the past 16 years, and in eight elections she has earned our editorial endorsement. But this year, the confluence of the right challenger and the new demands for leadership in this seat has convinced us that the time has come for a change. We are endorsing the election of Democrat Chris Van Hollen to Congress because we believe he represents the future of our region."

The Gazette praised Van Hollen for his service to the community in Maryland State government: "His record during the past three sessions of the General Assembly has been particularly impressive, following his appointment as the vice chairman of the powerful Budget and Taxation Committee in 2000. On such disparate issues as education, gun safety, health care and the environment, he has been a leading voice."

They listed the long-time legislator's accomplishments:

* He won "the successful fight to require trigger locks on guns in the 2000 session."

* He led "numerous fights to curb the use of tobacco, by raising taxes and spending more for prevention and treatment."

* He "won approval of a law preventing insurance companies from rewarding doctors for refusing to prescribe expensive tests for patients."

* "His championing of environmental protection -- especially bills to protect the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River -- has won him wide praise."

* "[H]is handling of the fight over the Thornton Commission school-funding recommendations showcased the skills that we expect would make him successful in Congress.

The Gazette reported that Van Hollen's impressive string of success "showed evidence of his ability to work not only with like-minded people but with rivals as well, for the benefit of his district. Van Hollen did not just block the unfair recommendations. He actually succeeded in rewriting the funding formula to make it more favorable to Montgomery County, and to get it approved by the Budget Committee and passed by the General Assembly."

While Morella rests on her laurels, trumpeting her tarnished reputation for independence, Van Hollen demonstrates real commitment to people over his party, as the Gazette explains: "Never one to march in lock step with the Democratic leadership in Annapolis, he has shown that he is committed to seeking pragmatic solutions, not to political grandstanding. We believe he could become a national lawmaker of exceptional ability."

Transportation problems afflict the region, and Van Hollen plans to lead on this issue: "'I would not pressure experts to change their opinion,' he told The Gazette, 'but I would work on changing the plan to find a way to get the [inter-county connector] road built. The need is there. We need to look for alternatives to find a way to do it.'" The Gazette criticized Morella who, "in contrast, said she is waiting for the local officials to decide on what they want, and then she will push for it."

They conclude: "Van Hollen said the role of the congressional representative is not to wait until everyone else decides what to do. He must bring state and local leaders to a table and reach agreement on a solution. We believe that Chris Van Hollen represents the best of the future of our region, and we urge the voters of District 8 to send him to Congress."

It's no surprise that the Takoma Voice and the Friends of the Earth repeated their ringing Van Hollen endorsements. Although Morella lacked the usual Republican disdain for the environment -- at least until recently -- she cannot match Van Hollen's stellar record.

Morella's fulsome embrace of right winger Bush and his dirty tactics have raised eyebrows. Her ads even falsely accused Van Hollen of supporting Bush-like tax cuts for the wealthy, with the tag-line: "To hear this guy talk, you'd think he was the Republican!" This crude deception fools few in this well-informed district.

Once-loyal Morella supporters see these unprecedented Karl Rove / Lee Atwater tactics as just the latest ugly sign that their "Connie" has thrown in with the right wing. As her desperation increased, she's seemingly morphed into a "mean Ms. Morella" who backs Bush and betrays her better instincts and her constituents.