Perhaps Dems can make use of a day like this, starting with the self-loathing, moving to the cruel, and then to an unfortunate opportunity:

Craig Vows to Remain in Senate

Associated Press, October 4, 2007 4:45 p.m.

WASHINGTON — Idaho Sen. Larry Craig defiantly vowed to serve out his term in office on Thursday despite losing a court attempt to rescind his guilty plea in a men’s room sex sting…. The third-term lawmaker issued his statement not long after Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter relayed word he has selected a replacement for Mr. Craig in the event of a resignation….”He is ready to act should we receive a letter of resignation,” said Jon Hanian, Mr. Otter’s spokesman in Boise, in what seemed like a calculated signal that home-state Republicans want Mr. Craig to surrender the seat he has held for 17 years….

Veto May Spur House Struggle Over CHIP Bill

By SARAH LUECK, October 4, 2007; Page A5

WASHINGTON — The fight over expanding a health program for low-income children promises to drag on for months after President Bush issued a veto that effectively blocks a plan passed by Congress.House Democrats don’t appear to have the votes to override Mr. Bush’s veto of a bill that would increase funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over five years. The legislation would raise the federal tobacco tax to pay for the plan. [emPHAsis mine] Democrats said they plan to pressure House Republicans to support the bill and hope to vote on overriding the president’s veto in mid-October. For some Republicans, it is a dicey political move to vote against a popular spending program and side with an unpopular president.

Domenici to Retire

Associated Press, October 4, 2007 4:56 p.m.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Pete Domenici is retiring after a generation as a dominant Republican voice on budget matters in Congress, deferring to health concerns after six terms in office. The 75-year-old New Mexico senator scheduled a formal announcement in late afternoon Thursday in Albuquerque….

In political terms, Mr. Domenici’s decision to retire represents yet another blow to Senate Republicans, who lost their majority in 2006 and face a hostile political environment little more than a year before the 2008 elections. The party must defend 22 of 34 seats on the ballot, four of its incumbents face difficult challenges, and Mr. Domenici would become the fifth Republican to retire.

By contrast, no Democrats have announced retirement plans, and the party holds a sizable lead over the Republican campaign committee in fundraising. Democrats control the Senate with 49 seats plus the backing of two independents. Republicans hold the other 49 seats.