But the major power of a Senate minority is delay.

"Once again the Senate minority has shocked the world," Mr. Paterson said.

This is an intolerable usurpation of power by the Senate minority.

"The majority has left the Senate minority with two choices."

"I think that, given the choice between being a member of the Senate minority and being governor, it might seem irresistible."

The Senate minority found itself representing majority opinion in the nation, which enabled reunited Republicans to block spending that would deepen the deficit.

The beleaguered Democrats - who have been in the Senate minority for nearly all of this century - sarcastically wished her good luck.

Consultants for Hire Using the payroll to hire political operatives has emerged as campaign strategy of the Senate minority.

"We don't have access to the mainframe computer," a press secretary to the Senate minority, Amy Colodny, said.

In a filibuster, a Senate minority exploits the requirement for 60 votes to close a debate, preventing Senate action.