Oct. 25, 2002 -- In one of the nation's hottest congressional races, the voters in Maryland's Eighth Congressional District are being torn between two political worlds, one where voters focus on the records, experience and policy positions of the candidates and one where they consider the mechanisms of party politics.

In it's official endorsement editorial, The Washington Post said "voters face an enviable choice between two well-qualified candidates."

"So the 8th District, and the Washington region, would be well served by a Van Hollen victory. Nonetheless, as we have in previous years, we endorse Connie Morella for reelection," the paper wrote.

The Post said it found "much to admire in her record" and "even more to admire in her willingness to stand up to her party on many issues at a time when independent thinkers seem to be an endangered species in both parties in Congress."

Reflecting the dilemma faced by voters in a district where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1, several days later the paper published a letter to the editor that criticized the Post for missing "a golden opportunity to discuss the importance of party politics in government." A vote for Morella is "a vote for the Republican agenda in the House," the Silver Spring voter wrote.

The divided political landscape was the backdrop for a debate between the two candidates on Maryland Public Television, broadcast Oct. 24. The candidates stuck to the general themes of their campaigns. Morella stressed her constituent services and her ability to forge bipartisan coalitions to support security, women's issues, health and education.

Van Hollen positioned himself as a more effective vote against the Bush administration and the Republican House leadership, and repeatedly reminded voters that Democrats need a net gain of six seats to regain control of the House.

During a pointed discussion of gun control (the debate was taped before the capture of two prime suspects in the sniper attacks in and around the district), Van Hollen said the National Rifle Association is operating out of the White House and the Justice Department, and that he would push to close the gun show loophole that allows unlicensed sellers to sell guns without a criminal background check on potential buyers.

Morella retorted that "the person who prevented the gun show loophole from changing is the senior democrat in the House of Representatives [Michigan Democrat John Dingell]" and a "proud member of the National Rifle Association." She also argued that it was unlikely the Democrats would gain control of the House. "If you look at the [Charlie] Cook and [Stuart] Rothenberg reports, the Washington Post," she said, "the experts have said if you look at every sat in play there is no way -- barring a hurricane -- there is no way that the majority is going to change."

Van Hollen disagreed, calling the election is a "jump ball," and telling Maryland Eight voters that Democrats are relying on them to change their representation. Morella used her closing remarks to criticize Van Hollen for not firing his campaign manager, after he made a comment that Morella called "an insult to all women."

On Oct. 21, The Washington Post published an article in which Van Hollen's campaign manager Steve Jost commented that focus groups showed that men, in particular, were turned off by the prospect of election attacks against Morella.

"They reacted like you had said their mother was a slut," Jost was quoted as saying. In a statement issued after the debate, Van Hollen said he "was surprised and disappointed to read Mr. Jost's quote. As a husband and father, I was very offended by his language. He has apologized and assured me that it will not happen again."

Independent candidate Stephen Bassett was not in the debate, but MPT host Jeff Salkin said his program would include Bassett the following week.