Corridors of Power

Just as dogs often resemble their owners, interns and their bosses in the Senate share common traits. This insight made meandering through the Hart Senate Office Building in D.C. last week unexpectedly amusing.

Charles Schumer’s interns seemed eager for a brawl as they snarled at passerby. Dick Lugar’s staff were friendly and relaxed. Grim tension radiated from Barbara Boxer’s office, but I was seeing a broad array of lifestyle choices inside was reassuring.

And sure enough, Sam Brownback’s crew, hosting Kansans’ tour of the Capitol, were awkward nebbishes. The temptation to defect to a tour group from Indiana was difficult to resist.