Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, and now the very influential Bill Frist, R-Tennessee.

CNN: Politics, science, morality of stem cell issue

Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, flipped through some press clips.

CNN: Smiles, handshakes on the Senate floor

Gordon Brown for the first time uttered the "r" word - recession, agreeing with the governor of the Bank of England that Britain appears to be heading into recession.

BBC: ANALYSIS BY CAROLE WALKER