So, to set this up. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) is bloviating, and he uses as an example of the unfairness of the GOP to former President Clinton's judicial nominee Elena Kagan (sp?). According to Reed, Kagan was nominated for a federal judgeship, but never got a hearing. She is now dean of the Harvard Law School. Point being illustrated: She was very qualified and the GOP are big meanies.

Sen. Jon Corzine, playing the game both Dems and Republicans do on the floor, asks "questions" which are not really questions but are basically instant-replays. Hit the highlights again.

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) then points out that Kagan was nominated in August 2000 -- two months before the election. (According to reports I found, it appears Santorum was wrong on this point. She was nominated in 1999, but that doesn't excuse what follows.)

Which prompts this howler from Corzine:

If the senator from Pennsylvania would allow, I don't know what elections have to do with confirming nominees that have gone before the Judiciary Committee and they're qualified...

Sen. Corzine is not an idiot, but he plays one on TV.

Vocabulary term for the good senator: "Lame Duck."