Losing senators make emotional return

The Senate floor was a display of mixed emotions on Wednesday as Democratic senators who lost their reelection bids last week returned to vote on two nominees.

Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) embraced a wan-looking Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), who Democrats thought would pull out a win last week.

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), another losing incumbent, kept his arms firmly folded across his chest as he immersed himself in serious conversation with sympathetic Democratic colleagues.

The Associated Press declared his GOP opponent Dan Sullivan the victor just this morning, though the Alaska Democrat has yet to concede. 

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) tried to console Begich by grabbing his shoulder and shaking it playfully.He kissed Hagan on the cheek, while Boxer hugged Begich. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) shook his hand and offered words of enouragement.

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) appeared at peace with his loss. He entered the chamber somewhat bashfully scratching his head but then smiled at pointed at fellow centrist Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) gave Pryor a hardy handshake and a big smile and the ousted senator was all smiles after that.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) who faces a run-off on Dec. 6 had a strained look on her face throughout the votes. Menendez offered her words of encouragement and she put her hands on his shoulder as she listened to them intently.

Democratic incumbents who survived close races were ebullient.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) laughed as Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) hugged her. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) had a huge grin and blushed as Republican colleagues came up to him to offer their congratulations.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont who caucuses with the Democrats, tried to offer a high-five to Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) who won his reelection last week. Franken seemed to think better of the display in front of colleagues who had just lost and offered a handshake instead. 

One of the most visibly shaken senators was Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) who will end his eight-year reign as majority leader after this year.

Reid appeared subdued as he stood apart from the crowded well at the beginning of the vote. He and Schumer sat down in one of the chamber’s back rows, drawing two chairs closely together, to discuss something.