[mathluv]

Coleman can't be sworn in until January. Otherwise, he would serve more that 6 years. That is against the law.

[Theodore R.]

He could have legally served an unexpired term ending at noon Jan. 3, 2003. Then he would be sworn in to a full term at that time. In November 1972, LA Governor Edwin Washington Edwards appointed his former intraparty rival J. Bennett Johnston, Jr., to fill the two months left in the term of the late Senator Allen J. Ellender, D-LA. Then Johnston was sworn in for the first of his four terms in the Senate at noon, Jan. 3, 1973. Mary Landrieu was sworn in to succeed Johnston early in 1997. Johnston was a strong supporter of Landrieu as his successor. This is not the same as extending a term. It would be extending a term if someone served a few weeks past a Jan. 3, not before a Jan. 3.

[Big Dan]

The discussion is that Coleman could be appointed to the remaining month of *Wellstone's* current term. Then on Jan 3 he would begin his elected term. No conflict, perfectly legal.

Barkley has determined he wants to park his rump in that Senate seat as long as possible, and he won't leave until he has to.