Was Anthony Weiner a rising political star before Tweeting himself into political oblivion?

I’ve been amused by all these stories referring to Rep. Anthony Weiner, who yesterday admitted he may have Tweeted himself right out of a job with lewd pictures and messages sent to women who are not his wife, as a “rising star” in Jewish and Democratic politics

There’s little question Weiner is entertaining, as members of Congress go; his rants at hearings, immortalized on YouTube, provide great comic relief from the grim business of legislating in today’s polarized political environment.

But if Weiner was ever regarded as a particularly successful and powerful lawmaker, I must have missed the memo. I sure didn’t hear much talk about the New York congressman as a Democratic Party powerhouse.

“He was a highly reliable supporter of Jewish interests and concerns,” said Kean University political scientist Gilbert Kahn. “On a few issues he was up front. But he wasn’t a major leadership or legislative force.”

Entertaining and sometimes controversial? Sure. But a Capitol Hill power player and major force in Jewish politics?  I don’t think so.