Typical Jacobsen spin on Congress

Joe Angsten
Published: August 2, 2008

Gary Jacobsen is at it again.  The spin he puts in his articles just get better. 

In his article — “The Ten least effective members of Congress,” he left out one important evaluation factor and glossed over another. He left out the “Sizzle/Fizzle“ factor. Sizzle includes a legislator’s
unique background, relationships or newfound popularity that somehow adds weight to their power that is not scored in the other ranking categories. Fizzle indicates a loss of power despite their position
that impairs the member’s ability to be effective. The gloss is in the “Position” rating. 

The “Position” rating automatically adds scoring weight to the majority party’s chairperson positions — not the effectiveness of the respective committee, just that he/she sits as the chairperson. So right
there the majority party regardless of committee effectiveness, productivity, etc., is given rating points.

His statement that — “Interestingly, the ten most effective (i.e., most powerful) members of Congress (five in the Senate and five in the House) are all Democrats” should be considered in view of
accomplishments — not points based on such ratings like the Sizzle/Fizzle factor or keeping a chairperson’s chair warm. Is not Congress’ approval rating somewhere around 18-19 percent? 

Was not the 2006 Democratic Party victory theme — we have a mandate and get ready for the changes. Where is all this leadership, most powerful to get things accomplished, etc? Their sizzle fizzled.

Oh, by the way, Democratic Representative Rangel is number three in the House rankings. It appears he has been “soliciting donations from corporations with business interests before his panel, hoping
to raise $30 million dollars for a new academic center that will house his papers when he retires” (Washington Post, July 15).  That should move him up to at least number two on the list.

JOE ANGSTEN

Manassas