The most helpful evidence in developing a fair and effective counterclaim would be:
"As the capital of the United States, Washington, DC was never meant to be a state because the founding fathers feared its people would have too much influence."
This statement addresses the foundational intent behind Washington, DC's status and argues against statehood in a way that contrasts the argument for representation based on traditional statehood principles. It highlights concerns that the founding fathers had about the political implications of making the capital a state, thus offering a historical perspective that can effectively counter the pro-statehood argument.