Best and worst
This year's "Best and Worst of Congress" article from Washingtonian magazine could have tar heel voters bursting with pride, or at least mildly interested that some of their home town politicians made the list.
According to the magazine, the rankings are based on interviews with "top Capitol Hill staff." On the list:
* Republican Elizabeth Dole tied for third as best dressed Senator. Dole also was mentioned among those who aides would like to see run for president in 2012.
* Democratic Senator John Edwards also got a nod from staffers as someone who should make a presidential bid in 2012. He got an honorable mention in the "Looks good in a bathing suit" category.
* Edwards ranks third in the "Show horse" category for Senators, a less than flattering nomination perhaps related to the fact he hasn't put in a lot of hours in the Capitol this year. (Edwards is running for vice president, in case you've been living under a rock or hit in the head with one.)
* Democratic Rep. Frank Ballance is tagged as the number-two "Worst Newcomer" in the House. Ballance resigned from the House in June for health reasons. Since then he has been indicted on a charge of mail fraud and money laundering for actions he took while he was a state senator.
* Republican Rep. Walter Jones took top honors for being "Just Plain Nice."
Read the whole thing here.