Can 'Secret Santa' senators bring bipartisan cheer?

[OhioChick]

Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 2:58 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a political test of the spirit of Christmas, warring Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate are getting ready to exchange holiday gifts.

No one predicts that the Senate's first-ever "Secret Santa" gift exchange, set for mid-December with a $10-per-present limit, will unleash unprecedented bipartisan tidings of comfort and joy.

But many hope it will at least promote some peace and goodwill on Capitol Hill after a year of bitter fighting over taxes and spending, a near-shutdown of the government and the loss of the country's coveted AAA credit rating.

"At first, I thought it was too gimmicky," said Sen. Mike Enzi, a Republican who has a reputation for big bipartisan deals." "But then I figured, it won't hurt. It's worth a try."

More: http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2011/11/can_secret_santa_senators_brin.html