Durbin's new digs

[JI7]

<WASHINGTON - From his new office, Sen. Dick Durbin has a clear view of the Washington Monument. It's one of the most coveted views in the city.

But it's just one of the perks of his new position as Senate Democratic whip.

Inside the Capitol, Durbin has a spacious, five-room suite with vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, historic artwork and five working fireplaces. He also gets a car and a driver.

"It's a pretty nice arrangement," said Durbin, noting the dramatic difference from the offices he first occupied when he entered the U.S. House 22 years ago and then as a freshman senator. Then, low seniority brought the smallest, dreariest workspaces.

As the second-ranked Democrat in the Senate, Durbin's new digs will place him closer to the Senate floor, where he'll be spending most of his time. As the party whip, his job is to determine how many votes Democrats have and to help decide Senate Democrats' legislative strategy.>

http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/44255.asp

[Benhurst]

1. Durban's one of our few good people. I wish I could feel excited

for him; but I fear he's going to have a discouraging job trying to whip some courage into a pack of time-servers and go-alongs we have in the Senate.