Politics: USA Presidency 2009 and new Congress begin to shape up

As President-Elect Obama makes a few appointments to staff for his term, the Congressional situation regarding a number of seats begins to shape up as well
("Democrats Gain as Stevens Loses His Senate Race," Nov19,2k8). Of primary note is the Senate's refusal to seat Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska to yet another term, altho just re-elected (his trial for financial misdeeds, being his stumbling block).

That leaves an empty seat, the filling of which is subject to the appointment by Alaska's governor, Sarah Palin, recent national Repubican candidate for the vice-prez job -- which raises the question whether she might choose to self-designate herself into the Senate.

Politicarp