Party Affiliation

BAGHDAD - The arrests of up to 24 police and Defense Ministry officials accused of aiding terrorists and belonging to the banned Baath Party of Saddam Hussein raised concerns that the government's crackdown was reminiscent of Hussein's regime. They were announced just two weeks before Iraq is scheduled to take over responsibility for its security from the United States. A bilateral agreement calls for all U.S. combat troops to leave Iraqi urban areas by June 30 and the country by the end of 2011.

Political campaign literature will seldom be mistaken for the gospel truth, but last November's "sample ballots" indicating former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele were Democrats and that they had been endorsed by a number of prominent black leaders crossed a line. Various versions of these handouts, which were widely distributed on Election Day in Baltimore and Prince George's County by African-Americans bused in from out of state, didn't change the outcome for either candidate, but in terms of sheer brazenness, it set a new - low - standard.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin added his support yesterday to a measure that would make it a federal crime to distribute campaign literature that makes false claims about political endorsements -- an issue that came up during his campaign last fall. Maryland Democrats say brochures sponsored in part by the campaign of Michael S. Steele -- Cardin's Republican opponent for the Senate in the November election -- were designed to mislead African-American voters about Steele's party affiliation and his support from prominent black leaders.

CAMBRIDGE -- Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley pledged last night to work cooperatively with local government officials to improve the state's education and transportation systems, foster economic development and protect the environment. Speaking to local elected officials and government workers at the Maryland Association of Counties winter conference, O'Malley, the Baltimore mayor, said he knew well what challenges county governments face and would seek input from them in developing his agenda for the state.

The Maryland Democratic Party filed a complaint yesterday with the state Board of Elections against state Sen. John A. Giannetti Jr., alleging that the recently declared Republican is deliberately misleading voters by continuing to use campaign signs that label him as a Democrat. In a letter sent to state elections administrator Linda H. Lamone, the state Democratic Party's executive director, Derek Walker, asked for an investigation into what he calls a violation of election law. Walker identified at least a half-dozen 8-foot-by-4-foot Giannetti signs that feature his photo and list the senator's old party affiliation in District 21, which includes portions of northern Prince George's County and western Anne Arundel County.

Lyndon B. Johnson used a mushroom cloud. The first George Bush relied on Willie Horton. Now Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, is trying to attract voters with ... puppies. He doesn't hate them, he says in his latest television advertisement - an arresting spot that might be unlike any political commercial you've ever seen. Bright, fresh and almost irreverent in its disregard for the conventions of campaign advertising, the 30-second segment - which, like Steele's first two advertisements, makes no mention of his party affiliation - is part of a larger strategy aimed at presenting the candidate as a Washington outsider, a regular guy who would shake things up on Capitol Hill.

David E. Carey Date of birth: April 12, 1964 Party affiliation: Democrat Professional experience: Attorney; commissioner of Bel Air, 1997-present; mayor of Bel Air, 2002, 2004, 2005; Harford County Democratic Central Committee, 1998-2002 (chairman, 2001-02) Education: Dulaney High School; College of Wooster (Ohio); University of Baltimore School of Law Personal: Married; president, Maryland Municipal League, 2006. Served on BRAC Planning Advisory Council (2006) What is the most important issue facing Harford County?

Date of birth: Feb. 17, 1947 Party affiliation: Republican Professional background: dentist, licensed in Maryland; colonel, Air Force (retired); systems engineering manager; Maryland business owner (electro-optics and robotics company); inventor and scientist. Educational background: Bachelor of Arts, biology, Brooklyn College; D.D.S., Temple University School of Dentistry; dental residency, Eglin Air Force Base; Air War College, Air Command and Staff College. Personal: Married to Ruth; has three children and three grandchildren; member of Jewish War Veterans Organization, MOAA, American Legion and American Mensa; amateur radio operator (general class)

Date of birth: Aug. 16, 1971 Party affiliation: Democrat More online For coverage of the November elections and archived stories on the General Assembly, go to baltimoresun.com/politics

NAACP sponsors voter campaign The Howard County NAACP Youth Council is sponsoring an "Adopt-a-Block Program," focused on a get-out-the-vote campaign for young voters, this year. A "jump off" block party, the program's first event, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Guilford Gardens, 7333 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia. Food, entertainment, games, music prizes and an open microphone are planned. Admission is free. A candidates forum is planned for July 22, and a health fair is scheduled for Aug. 26. Programs are also planned on education and economic empowerment.