Wagering on the World Series is a Senate tradition of long standing. This year, the wager has a special edge: Blue State vs. Red State
Democratic Illinois Senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama, wagering on behalf of the Chicago White Sox, anted up a basket filled with Chicagoland goodies: Al's Italian beef, Polish sausages and Vienna beef hot dogs. For desert, the basket includes Chicago-made Tootsie Rolls and Eli's Cheesecake.
And what did Texas Republican Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, offer to wager on behalf of the Houston Astros?
While willing to spend billions on tax relief for the rich and more billions on corporate pork, the Texas Republicans have offered an empty basket.
According to Chris Paulitz, the spokesman for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, "We're not planning on anything because we're going to win."