I'm not the type to worry about who has better office real estate when it comes to office politics. Space is just space to get your work done.
But when it comes to Senate office space, that's a little bit different. Usually the doling of Senate office space is based on seniority. Freshmen senators usually find themselves in the basement, next to a storage closet and the furnance, and work their way up into the light of day.
But basement digs aren't a worry for Scott Brown. As he gets seated today, he knows exactly where his new space will be and it has one of the most coveted views in DC. Brown will enjoy both Senator Kennedy's seat on the Senate floor and the seat in Kennedy's senate office. Space that Senator Kennedy earned through his tenure in the Senate.
The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senator Schumer, is allowing Brown to have Kennedy's former office space as a matter of convenience.
And personally, no matter how stupid and petty, I'm really annoyed.
I've been in Kennedy's office and it is amazing -- both the space itself and the views. It definitely has an air of distinction and makes the statement that the person honored with this office has earned the right to be there.
Moving offices is an expensive endeavor with a lot of logistical challenges. However, it is long standing tradition that office space is dictated by seniority.
I wonder if there will be any clamoring from the people that would have stood next in line to move into Senator Kennedy's office. The top five on the Senate seniority list include Byrd, Inouye, Leahy, Lugar and Hatch.
But since all Senators now have their own secret hideaways, it is likely not the Senators that will complain and moan about not getting Kennedy's office space, but the staffers of these senior Senate members.
For me, it is the symbolism of Brown waltzing into Kennedy's seat and his office that really gets my bloodpressure up.
You need to earn it, Mr. Brown. Just like Kennedy did.