GRAB a current issue. Editors change positions like hot potatoes, and the old editor may have had slightly different tastes than the current one. Don't even go there. Scour your memory for anything you've done related to writing that signifies seriousness and professionalism and mention it. Don't put the editor on the spot.
Editors are very busy people.
Don't hound an editor. Get to work on another project, but keep a record of your queries. There are some good software programs out there for doing this, but I won't endorse any particular one over another. There are exceptions. These vary according to circumstance, but if you have waited an inordinate amount of time for a reply and have queried about your article's status via a postcard or letter and still haven't gotten a reply, then I would call.