Picking up from my last diary, we acknowledge as well those members of the United State Senate whose service to the giant cooling saucer has ended.
Time for more thoughts from my Philadelphia brethren, and let's say goodbye to ...
Ted Stevens (AK) #
Wayne Allard (CO) +
Ken Salazar (CO) **
Joe Biden (DE) *
Larry Craig (ID) +
Barack Obama (IL) *
Norm Coleman (MN) ^
Chuck Hagel (NE) +
John Sununu (NH) #
Hillary Clinton (NY) **
Pete Domenici (NM) +
Elizabeth Dole (NC) #
Gordon Smith (OR) #
John Warner (VA) +
* Elected POTUS/VPOTUS
** To resign upon confirmation to Cabinet position
+ Retired
# Defeated in General Election
^ Look, I expect Franken will win, but this isn't done yet.
I want to acknowledge in particular Gordon Smith of Oregon -- because even though I'm glad he's being replaced by Jeff Merkley, his work in passing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, borne of family tragedy, has provided necessary support to youth suicide prevention and mental health services on college campuses. (Guys, it's okay: he lost. We're allowed to say nice things now. I'll probably say good things about John Warner, too, before this day is over.)
Whole lot of change coming to Washington next month, and not just at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.