Faculty politics, they say, is often bitter because the stakes are so small. I think about that aphorism often as I listen to news programs.

Tonight, on MSNBC, after the results were in from the Wisconsin primary, they had representatives from both Senator Obama''s and Senator Clinton''s campaign. After they each gave their spin, Chris Matthews turned to the Obama representative, Texas state senator Kirk Watson, and asked for an itemization of Barack''s legislative accomplishments. Watson couldn''t list any, and when he demanded that Clinton''s legislative accomplishments be accomplished, Chris Matthews refused to do so.

That's why they call it "Hardball", Matthews crowed - and Keith Olberman remarked that they were broadcasting election returns, not Matthews'' "Hardball" program. Matthews brushed that aside, saying that it was still a good question to ask.

So what are their legislative accomplishments?

It''s pretty thin for Hillary. Her "35 years of experience" amount to a bill to increase nurse recruitment, one to aid respite time for Alzheimer