Senate Dems steamed at Reid

Some Democratic senators are "furious" with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid over the terms of his deal to get Arlen Specter to switch parties, according to The Hill.

The Capitol Hill newspaper reports that tempers are flaring over Reid's agreement that Specter will get to keep his 28 years of Senate seniority as a member of the GOP when it comes time to figure Democratic committee assignments.

The Hill quotes insiders saying the Democratic caucus wasn't in on the deal Reid made. Some members apparently think Specter ought to be grateful and isn't in a position to demand concessions from his new colleagues, given that he was likely to lose his reelection battle as a Republican.

Reid has generally retained his popularity with his caucus through controversies like that surrounding Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Connecticut Democrat-turned-independent, who was allowed to remain chairman of a committee despite endorsing Republican John McCain for president.