My first day in Annapolis began with the gotcha quote of the day.

Senator Harry Reid’s remark about then Senator Barack Obamna’s skin color and dialect – or lack thereof, prompted an endless and mindless discussion on “Morning Joe” on MSNBC.

Of course, there was the canard that the liberal press had a double standard: “When Trent Lott said the country would have been better off had Strom Thurmond been elected President, the mainstream media called for his head.”

A first-year law student knows how to point out the critical differences between one set of facts and another. Acknowledging voters’ prejudices is far different than regretting that a segregationist was not elected President.

My day ended with a sober discussion of the fiscal problems faced by the state and Baltimore City.

In Annapolis, we’re not distracted by sideshows. We address the tough issues, balance the budget, and preserve the state’s AAA bond rating.

All during the next 90 days.