Baucus will do anything for love

Hanes, who is divorced and now lives with Baucus in the Eastern Market neighborhood of Washington, D.C., ultimately withdrew her name from consideration for the U.S. attorney position in order to move to Washington, and she now works in the Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention as a counselor to the administrator.

Baucus spokesman Tyler Matsdorf said the relationship was not the cause of Baucus' divorce and that Baucus did not arrange for her current position with DOJ.

"In no way was their relationship the cause of their respective divorces. When Senator Baucus and Melodee Hanes, his former state director, realized that their relationship was developing beyond a purely professional nature, Melodee began the process of resigning her Senate employment," Matsdorf said.

"After withdrawing from consideration for U.S. Attorney, Ms. Hanes independently applied for her current position at the Department of Justice. Having extensive experience and qualifications in the field, Ms. Hanes was awarded the position based solely on her merit. Since then she has excelled in her role," he added.

Hanes was one of three names Baucus forwarded to the White House for consideration as Montana's U.S. attorney. President Barack Obama ultimately tapped one of Baucus' nominees, Mike Cotter, for the position.

Odsbodkins! We are supposed to believe that one of the most powerful senators in Washington had nothing to do with getting his girlfriend a job in government? Yes, and you probably believe that man made global warming is real too.

This brings to mind that great song from A Chrous Line, "What I Did For Love:"

Kiss today goodbye,
And point me t'ward tomorrow.
We did what we had to do.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for
Love

("A Chrous Line": Music by Marvin Hamlisch; Lyrics by Edward Kleban)

"Tomorrow" proved to be very lucky for Baucus's girlfriend.