Smartest Legislator Tournament 2008

Round 2 has begun. Click here to vote.

The PolitickerMD.com Smartest Legislator Tournament is intended to be a contest of sheer intelligence - an online, interactive contest among readers to determine Maryland's most intellectually talented state legislator. This is not about political parties, vote-getting abilities, fundraising prowess, legislative achievements, or personal popularity - it's a contest to look at the minds of the legislators. Think about their ability to reason, to solve problems, to comprehend complicated ideas, to think abstractly, to articulate their views, and to learn. Consider their personal wisdom, their knowledge, and their ability to deal with cognitive complexity.

We've put 32 of Maryland's legislators into four divisions of eight legislators. The regions are named after four truly brilliant legislators of the past: Ogle, Paca, Pearce and Carroll.

You can vote in each of the matchups, starting with Round 1 on May 7 - 8 - but only once every ten minutes. Sweet Sixteen will run May 9 - 12, Elite 8 on May 13, Final 4 on May 14, and Finals on May 16.