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Del. Michael McDermott took a moment Monday evening to savor the view from the top.

Before giving the House’s annual Lincoln Day address from Speaker Mike Busch’s spot at the dais, McDermott looked out at the crowd and smiled.

“This is supposed to be about a 10-minute speech, but I’ve got to tell you, this is rarified air for a Republican, so I’m thinking it might go 30, maybe 40,” he said.

“The view is very good. The air feels really light,” he continued. “I like it, Mr. Speaker.”

McDermott went on to give a respectable 12-minute, 48-second speech.

— Danielle E. Gaines

The ol’ switcheroo — times two

Tuesday’s House committee vote on legalizing same-sex marriage was preceded by a flurry of amendments, resulting in some confusion over what was being discussed.

Del. Neil Parrott, who fiercely opposes the governor’s bill, appeared to switch teams while discussing an amendment proposed by fellow Del. Michael Hough.

“I support the bill,” Parrott began, eliciting chuckles from around the room. “I support the amendment,” he quickly corrected. “Let me be clear.”

A short time later, Judiciary Committee Chair Joe Vallario nearly gave his support to the bill as a whole, voting “yes,” before quickly realizing his error and voting “no,” prompting more laughter.

— Daniel Leaderman

‘Zirk-sanity’ doesn’t quite have that ring to it

The Senate challenged the House to a basketball game Wednesday night and handily beat the Delegates, 60-40, in the 40-minute matchup.

Even the arrival of “Coach” Nathaniel T. Oaks in the second half of the game at Anne Arundel Community College’s Arnold campus couldn’t help the Delegates, who were down 30-12 at the half.

The refs couldn’t help either. “C’mon man, look at the score!” Shawn Z. Tarrant pleaded after a foul.

Perhaps it was the inside knowledge of their competition — Sens. Bobby Zirkin and Victor Ramirez both served in the House — that helped the Senators to the win.

The star of the game was Zirkin, who scored on a number of fast breaks and assists from his father, Johns Hopkins University professor Barry Zirkin.

— Danielle E. Gaines

Comedy Central no joke to school board candidate

For one Prince George’s County school board candidate, a nod from Comedy Central’s political website — www.indecisionforever.com — proved to be a serious pat on the back.

Raaheela Ahmed, 18, a 2011 graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt and a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, was recognized Feb. 14 by the comedy network’s website as a “One of a Kind Candidate” for her plan to have schools offer more trade and fiscal responsibility classes. Ahmed is among four candidates in the April 3 primary election seeking the District 5 seat.

“If even one kid receives enough training to get a job after they graduate from her school district, Ahmed would be doing more than every ‘job creator’ just a few miles down the road inside the Capital Beltway,” the website states.

According to the site, one of its sponsors — Dr. Pepper — will be sending Ahmed a T-shirt. Ahmed couldn’t be reached for comment on whether she’d wear the shirt on the campaign trail.

— Jeffrey K. Lyles

It’s 2012 — do you know where your legislators are?

An annual party for newly elected legislators will have a decidedly apocalyptic flavor this year.

This session’s chosen theme is a nod to the much-hyped end of days supposedly predicted by the Mayan calendar to occur this year.

The event, sometimes called the crossover party, is scheduled for March 26, the day each chamber is set to send its legislation to the other chamber.

“Get ready to celebrate like it’s the end of the world,” Aruna Miller, organizer of this year’s party, told House members Tuesday.

“It could be the end of the world,” joked House Speaker Michael Busch.

— Daniel Leaderman