First Rule for Freshmen: Silence Is Golden

As Congress reconvened yesterday for its lame-duck session, Democrats operated under the belief that freshman senators, like children, should be seen but not heard.

Harry Reid, the wiry Senate Democratic leader who will lead a fat majority in the next Congress, took his newly elected senators out for some show and tell in front of the television lights. But to the bafflement of the 200 or so journalists waiting outside the Senate chamber, Reid did not let any of the six senators-elect speak. He did not even introduce them. They stood silently behind him as he delivered a brief speech about himself.

"Having been the majority leader for the last two years, many times with no majority, this is an exciting time for me," he said. "I'm so excited, so pleased and so happy to have a real majority now."

Reid's entire 144-word statement lasted 51 seconds.

The Democratic senators-elect -- Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Mark Warner of Virginia, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, and cousins Tom Udall of New Mexico and Mark Udall of Colorado -- entered obediently in a two-by-two procession. They, like their leader, ignored all the questions shouted at them about a bailout for the auto industry.

Why so shy? Republicans had a theory: Five of the six freshmen opposed the original bailout bill Congress passed. Now Reid is trying to get the Senate to pass legislation using some of the original bailout money to prop up the auto industry, but prospects are not good.

But the lame-duck Congress won't leave town without at least one achievement: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is optimistic that her colleagues will pass a bill banning the scalping of inauguration tickets, which she says have reached $40,000 apiece on the black market.

* * *

It's Ted Stevens's 85th birthday today, and his Senate Republican colleagues are celebrating by meeting to discuss whether to kick the Alaskan, now a convicted felon, out of the GOP caucus. But Stevens is already getting used to his reduced stature in the Capitol.

Senators usually ride in the "Senators Only" elevators, so reporters using a public elevator were surprised yesterday when the doors opened on the second floor and Stevens stepped aboard. A reporter asked the scowling senator how he was doing. He responded only with what sounded like "ungh."

The chamber's other Ted, however, was getting a much friendlier welcome yesterday. In the Russell caucus room, aides to Ted Kennedy greeted the senator, who has brain cancer, with cheers and a "Welcome back, Senator" banner.

Outside the room, the liberal legend held a photo op to display his vig-ah. "I feel fine," he told the TV cameras. And he looked fine, too: his white mane neatly trimmed, his complexion in its trademark ruddy hue, and his midsection still ample. He walked with a silver-handled cane but otherwise showed no evidence of illness.