With time running out and senators anxiously keeping their eye on the upcoming mid-term elections, Mary's nomination as National Park Service director was shipped directly to the Senate floor late last night for speedy approval.
    The outcome wasn't unexpected. But with the clock ticking on the fall session the normal course of confirmation -- typically the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee would have voted its approval of her nomination -- was shortcut so Mary could be confirmed before the Senate recessed for the year.
    There was the possibility that her confirmation might not have been taken up by the Senate until after the election, but that probably wouldn't have changed anything, as the president could have made a temporary appointment during the recess.
    No word yet on when Mary will be sworn in, but it shouldn't be too far off.