What about U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, and the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy, which grades members of Congress on what they do for the middle class?

LaTourette got his shares of Ds and Fs in 2006-07, then Bs by 2007.

Now he gets an A-plus (100 percent) as the highest Drum Major grade for any Republican in Congress.

That was for his working “above average” on such bipartisan issues as improving toy safety, increased access to higher education and some economic respite to struggling Americans.

LaTourette did vote no on stimulus proposals. But, sitting on the House Appropriations Committee, he’s supported other federal revenue brought back home.

In the House, U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights, succeeded the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Fudge got an “incomplete” Drum Major grade in her interim role. But Fudge stil got a 100 percent for efforts so far.

In the U.S. Senate, it was a “D” for Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and a “B” for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

--David W. Jones