Maryland District 8 US Congressional Debates

Let the campaigns begin!  The 2012 Election is just weeks away and finally the candidates in Maryland's Congressional District 8 have met for debate.  Friday afternoon September 29, 2012, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD) and Ken Timmerman, the GOP nominee, debated before the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) at Gaithersburg's Asbury Methodist Village Parker Hall.

About 100 were in the audience, penning their questions on index cards provided by NARFE, while local free-air media NTDTV, filmed the event (for posting later on YouTube for all to see).  Both candidates were given the opportunity to introduce themselves, answer the questions and make closing remarks.  Issues included Social Security, Medicare, sequestration, returning veterans' employment, energy, and, of course, ObamaCare/Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  Mention was made, several times, about the newly redistricted District 8, the shrinking of Montgomery County's prior dominance there and the inclusion of Carroll County and a good chunk of Frederick County.  This new district, for all the heartburn it has and will cause for its residents (and formers) is the ONLY District in Maryland equally balanced between registered Democrats and registered Republicans.  This could be fascinating for Maryland, a true chance to see if Maryland is in fact all one way, or if the decadal gerrymandering of our General Assembly has made it appear to be one way, that is, blue, liberal, exclusively Democrat and incrementally "Progressive".

No matter on which side of the aisle you sit (or, sat, if you were there), these debates are of paramount importance to all.  Debates give everyone a hands-on, truly "bipartisan" perspective of individuals who want to represent the District, or want to represent a particular way to govern.  The next debates between Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. and Ken Timmerman will be Oct. 14th at Rockville's B'nai Israel and Oct. 20th at the Thurmont Lion's Club.

This upcoming election is the most important in many decades, if not centuries.  The recent 2010 Census redistricting of Maryland has had a profound effect on residents.  If you thought you are a part of District 8, because you always have been, it would be incumbent upon you to check out the new district map.  Many people have found themselves no longer in MD8!  Don't wait until election day:  http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/PollingPlaces/?CFID=7082450&CFTOKEN=60942552

Sadly some state and representatives' web sites do not have the accurate information.  Find out now and prepare yourself by learning about your candidates, all of them.  Everyone has their own guides, union, party affliation, family "expectations"; but learn about the candidates YOURself.  And contact them.  Go to debates such as the ones between Ken Timmerman and Rep. Chris VanHollen, Jr.  Know who represents you, let them know who you are.  That is why they are there, to represent us, US, We The People.