Appointed Senator Decides to Stay Independent

Barkley said in a written statement, ”I am an independent, the governor who appointed me is an independent, and I believe the best way to served the people of Minnesota is to remain independent.”

The decision leaves the balance of power tilted slightly towards Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and his Democratic Party. The Democrats now control 50 seats, including that of independent Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.), and the Republicans have 49.

Barkley was named by independent governor Jesse Ventura to serve out the remainder of Sen. Paul Wellstone’s term. Wellstone, a Democrat, died along with his wife, daughter and five others in a plane crash during his re-election campaign on Oct. 25, 2002.

Both Daschle and Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) had said it would make little difference which party had control during the lame-duck session, since the entire session will be limited to a few pre-determined issues.

However, despite those statements, both Republicans and Democrats held lengthy talks with Barkley as soon as he was sworn-in. The wooing included at least one call from President Bush and meetings with Lott and Daschle.

White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said the administration “will continue to work with him and other members of Congress to enact our priorities in the lame-duck session.”

The Homeland Security Act, the president’s top agenda item, faces a series of difficult challenges as Democrats and Republicans remain far apart on a key provision of the bill that would extend civil service protection to employees of the new agency. Republicans, led by the president, have said such protection would hamstring efforts to react quickly to changing threats, while Democrats counter that the protection is necessary to maintain the independence of the agency.

One other situation that could shift power in the upper chamber could develop in the state of Missouri, where former GOP Rep. Jim Talent ousted Sen. Jean Carnahan in last Tuesday’s vote. Carnahan was appointed to the seat after her husband, Gov. Mel Carnahan, died in a plane crash just days before the election in 2000.

Because Carnahan was an appointed senator, Republicans argued that once the state finalizes its election results, Talent should assume the seat immediately. Missouri officials have said that it will likely take two or more weeks to complete the process of certifying the results and approving the switch and by then, the session in Washington may be over.

If it is not, then Republicans would move into the majority. Both sides have said it was unlikely any major shifts would happen that late in the session.