Remembering DREAM Act Wagers Past

As polls in Maryland draw to a close, there's one consequence of the referendum on the DREAM Act that we've overlooked thus far:

Will Del. Pat McDonough have to make good on a promise he made based on the results of the vote?

McDonough, a Middle River Republican, is known for his tendency to spin a colorful phrase or two. In May of 2011, he made the political equivalent of Joe Namath guaranteeing a Super Bowl victory over the Baltimore Colts.

"If it doesn't pass overwhelmingly, I'll push a crab cake up Charles Street with my nose," McDonough told me more than a year ago.

The delegate made the comment before the official ballot question was written so it should be pointed out that by "pass" McDonough really means defeated. The delegate is a staunch, long-time opponent of such legislation.

McDonough made the comment three times during that interview so it was pretty clear that he intended to make it a central point of the conversation.

The delegate defined "overwhelmingly" as 53 percent to 47 percent victory for his side.

"In Maryland, that's a big number," McDonough said at the time.

I reached out to McDonough to discuss the wager and to ask if he was worried about it—possibly scouting the best roll-able crab cake or what kind of permits he might need.

Alas, we played phone tag.

At least there's something to make result watching just a little more interesting.

As if anyone needed one more thing.

This post was updated to clarify a comment the delegate made in 2011 so that it is clear that he opposed the DREAM Act.