Robert — I’m not sure I get the defense being offered by the unnamed Senate aide. The practice is “rare” but Harry Reid once did it too. Tu quoque and “they’re hypocritical for complaining” arguments will only take the GOP so far, particularly when it requires citing Harry Reid’s bad behavior as a justification for their own. As for the aide saying “if anyone thinks the issue of temporary holds on federal bureaucrats has political significance they need to take a trip outside the Beltway as soon as they can. Turns out people are more concerned with their own jobs.” He (or she) might be right, but again, that kind of talk sounds like the kind of arrogant, cynical, game-playing that has gotten the Dems in such a mess (and the Republicans before them). Someone should tell the GOP there’s a tea party goin’ on.