As we celebrate the 232nd anniversary of our nation's independence at Philadelphia tomorrow, today should be when we take note of what occured in Annapolis just prior to our country's declaration.

In case you missed it, Del. Rich Weldon posted two great diaries at TheTentacle.com on how he sees the 2010 Frederick County state legislative races shaking out.

Oh, puppies: Steele's 2006 U.S. Senate ads won critical praise, but not the electionThe Republican National Committee is preparing a $3 million ad-blitz in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin through it's latest 527 independent expenditure group.

The ads, which will attack Barack Obama on energy issues, will be created by Brad Todd of On Message Inc. -- the man who brought you the 'Michael Steele loves puppies' series in 2006.

In the teaser for her upcoming book, publisher Random House has audio portions of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talking about getting Jerry Brown to participate in Maryland's 1976 presidential primary -- what she calls the "pivotal" action in her life's arc from "homemaker to House Speaker." She even gives a shout out to the vaunted machine of then-Baltimore County Exec. Ted Venetoulis.

If you take a historical look at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s upgrade of the First district’s Frank Kratovil to their Red-to-Blue program two weeks ago, you may find yourself asking, ‘Why?’

Because outside of a self-funder or war hero, rookie candidates in red districts don’t get this kind of national attention.

UMBC political science Prof. Tom Schaller has an op-ed in today's New York Times on his speciality -- Democrats competing in the South.

There seems to be a positive correlation between oil prices and Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's popularity among conservatives.

Martin O'Malley: Second from left, in Galway

Gov Martin O'Malley used part of his vacation time to pick up an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws on Friday from the National University of Ireland in Galway.

Last night, newly sworn-in Fourth district Rep. Donna Edwards served as Speaker Pro Tempore for the second time in her first week in office.

She presided over the comments of colleagues like Elijah Cummings, Ted Poe, Barney Frank and others.

It can be intimidating from the rostrum, and Edwards held her own with some help on the House's parliamentary procedure from an aide.

But naturally, not that kind of conservative.