Democrat Sen. Max Baucus Nominated His Former Staff Member and Girlfriend to be U.S. Attorney for Montana

News is out this morning that one of the architects of the Democrats' Senate Health Care Plan - Sen. Max Baucus - has been having an affair with a former staff member and even nominated her to be the next U.S. Attorney in his home state of Montana. The news was released by an aide to Sen. Baucus:

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus was already involved with his girlfriend and former staffer when he recommended her earlier this year to become the next U.S. attorney for Montana, a spokesman said.

The Montana Democrat and his former state office director Melodee Hanes began their relationship in the summer of 2008, after Baucus separated from his wife, Ty Matsdorf told The Associated Press late Friday.

Baucus nominated Hanes for the U.S. attorney post in Montana in March. But she later withdrew, saying she had been presented with other opportunities she couldn't pass up. . . . MORE