Via the Standard. This is what they’re going to do to pass the time in Congress between bailouts? Jerk around with a hot-button issue guaranteed to enrage all sides and exacerbate Democratic infighting while the economy’s melting down and the Iran nuclear clock ticks on? Why not toss social security onto the table too, just to really get the juices flowing?

To believe Reid’s being sincere, you’d have to believe he’s an abject imbecile. Verdict: He’s sincere.

Q: With more Democrats in the Senate and the House and a Democrat in the White House, how do you see congressional efforts playing out on such issues as health care and immigration?

A: On immigration, there’s been an agreement between (President-elect Barack) Obama and (Arizona Republican Sen. John) McCain to move forward on that. … We’ll do that. We have to get this economy stuff figured out first, so I think we’ll have a shot at doing something on health care in the next Congress for sure.

Q: Will there be as much of a fight on immigration as last time?

A: We’ve got McCain and we’ve got a few others. I don’t expect much of a fight at all. Now health care is going to be difficult. That’s a very complicated issue. We debated at great length immigration. People understand the issues very well. We have not debated health care, so that’s going to take a lot more time to do.

We’ll never know for sure, but I like to imagine that Grahamnesty brokered the deal. And if they don’t get around to it in this Congress? Good news — Maverick’s officially running for re-election, so he can be the GOP point man for The One in 2011 or 2012 if need be. Exit question: Any predictions on how the Senate vote will shake out next time? Given the beating McCain took from Hispanic voters, I’ll put the over/under at 70.