A DC reader notes that first member of the 1998 class of Congress members to get a nice new office in the Rayburn building is Joseph Crowley. Lucky, huh?

Not sure if this increased his odds, but Crowley was on the winning side of the Steny Hoyer-Jack Murtha leadership race, had Charlie Rangel vouch for his fund-raising prowess, and also happens to be Democratic County Chairman in Queens.