Lame Duck or Red Herring?

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I have a time.com story out today about the much-anticipated lame duck session expected this December. For all the hoopla, very little is likely to happen this lame duck. But what all this hyperbole surrounding the lame duck does do is rile up the respective bases. Democrats: Dear outraged environmental groups, worry not we pass climate change in the lame duck! Republicans: Shock! Horror! The Democrats will pass crippling energy taxes in the lame duck! What neither side has said is where the magical 60th votes is going to come from between now and December. Certainly Democrats are not expecting to expand their Senate majority. Yes, there will surely be some kind of lame duck given the lethargic pace of appropriations this year but a continuing resolution on FY2011 funding is just about the only thing they’re likely to do in December.