There’s the reason and there’s the real reason, goes an Annapolis maxim.

Translation: the stated reason may not be the actual reason why something happened.

This morning, I met with a group of doctors, who asked me to oppose a certain bill.

“Who’s the sponsor?” I asked.

The name didn’t tell me anything about who wanted the bill to pass.

“What group supports the bill?” I asked.

That answer was the real sponsor.

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Legislators and lobbyists, like generals, always fight the last war.

Last year, several co-sponsors of the marriage equality bill changed their minds and voted against the bill.

No one wants that fate to befall their bill this session.

A lobbyist emailed me about a bill that I’m cosponsoring.

“We are now working to confirm co-sponsors, supporters, soft supporters and any undecideds on the bill… Taking no vote for granted, can I put you down as a YES in support for the bill when it gets to the House floor?”

When the time comes to count to 71 for a House vote on death penalty repeal, we won’t take any vote for granted, even those of our co-sponsors.