Senate to waste nine hours of paid time

The Democratic leadership in the Senate has drawn up an agreement with the Republican leadership for the speaking time of Democratic senators [at the Rice hearing confirmation session.]

[...]

January 25, 2005, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Democratic Leader, the Senate proceed to executive session for consideration of the nomination of Condoleezza Rice, of California, to be Secretary of State; provided further, that there be 9 hours of debate equally divided between the Majority Leader and the Democratic Leader or their designees

  Blue Lemur article

Designated Demwit speakers:

Senator Byrd, 1 hour;
Senator Boxer, 1 hour;
Senator Reed, 30 minutes;
Senator Durbin, 30 minutes;
Senator Kerry, 20 minutes;
Senator Levin, 15 minutes;
Senator Kennedy, 15 minutes;
Senator Lieberman, 10 minutes;
Senator Corzine, 10 minutes;
Senator Salazar, 10 minutes;
Senator Feinstein, 10 minutes; and
Senator Biden, 20 minutes (from the time of Senator Lugar).

Whew, one hour of Byrd and one hour of Boxer and Condi's ears won't heal for months. I wonder if the Repuglicans have to stick around.