Powerful groups align behind slots

Superficially, the battle over November's slot machine referendum is starting to resemble a fight between a heavyweight and a flyweight.

Some of the state's most powerful organizations continued this week to line up behind Gov. Martin O'Malley's slots proposal, which could bring up to 15,000 slot machines to Maryland and 4,750 into Anne Arundel County.

Grassroots opponents, however, are not worried about the big names. Instead, part of their strategy to win in November is to wean away the rank-and-file members of those same groups.

"Luckily, the big special interests don't get to decide this race," said Scott Arceneaux,...