Former Maryland state Delegate Cheryl Kagan (D) went after incumbent state Senator Jennie Forehand (D) with a vengeance today during a debate on NewsTalk, saying Forehand isn't an effective advocate for the residents of Montgomery County.

Forehand batted away that accusation, saying she her low-key style should not be mistaken for a lack of effectiveness.

Here's the key moment from the candidates' animated exchange on NewsTalk.

Forehand, who has served in Annapolis since 1979, didn't take on Kagan directly, though she has told associates Kagan "was not well-liked" during her tenure in the legislature, and therefore wouldn't be a good fit in the clubby atmosphere of the Senate.

Kagan touted her endorsements from the B-CC Chamber, Md. NARAL and the Sierra Club.

Forehand noted that labor groups -- including the county's powerful teachers union -- are in her corner.

Our other big topic today was the Maryland Public Service Commission hearing into the challenges Pepco has faced this year getting power restored. Our guest: Montgomery County Councilman Roger Berliner, who represents the Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac, areas that have had more than their share of power problems. 

He and most of his Council colleagues attended Tuesday's PSC meeting in Baltimore. He was not impressed. Listen...