Dancing with Delegates

The Gazette just published an interesting piece rating the effectiveness of the esteemed members of our Maryland General Assembly. The paper surveyed 100 power players in state politics including "...lobbyists representing a wide range of interests, members of the Ehrlich administration, Democratic and Republican operatives and, yes, reporters." The article is complete with select quotes from the judges on individual legislators. It reminds me of Dancing with the Stars, except there's no John O'Hurley.

A few interesting tidbits from the top of the list:

#2 most effective: Maggie L. McIntosh (D-Dist 43) of Baltimore. Chairwoman, Environmental Matters Committee.... Judges' comments: "Maybe the best all-around legislator in Annapolis"; "Our next speaker."

#9 most effective: Kumar P. Barve (D-Dist 17) of Gaithersburg. Majority Leader.... Judges’ comments: "Quick with a quote, or to light up your smoke, and there's no place that he'd rather be."

#13 most effective: Richard S. Madeleno Jr. (D-Dist 18) of Kensington.... Judges' comments: "No one knows budgeting like he does."

And on the downside:

#4 least effective: Donald H. Dwyer Jr. (R-Dist 31) of Glen Burnie.... Judges' comments: "Annapolis' answer to Dr. Strangelove, he cheerfully rides his issues down to ground zero so he can boast to constituents about losing for the right reasons."

#5 least effective: Peter V.R. Franchot (D-Dist 20) of Takoma Park.... Judges' comments: "Never serious, always humorous."

And, finally, just because she represents my district:*

#7 least effective: Joan F. Stern (D-Dist 39) of Montgomery Village....

Really, I kept finding more fun quotes from the list, but you can read the whole thing in the Gazette, so I'll spare you all the details. Now we'll just have to wait and see who gets voted out of the State House come September and November.

;-)

*Full disclosure: I am, of course, supporting one of her challengers.