Harry Reid enters the fifth stage

Denial, anger, depression, bargaining, acceptance:

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid raised a few eyebrows yesterday on the Senate floor when he said it would take a "miracle" for Democrats to win enough races next year to take back the Senate.

"I would like to think a miracle would happen and we would pick up five seats this time," he said during a floor debate over the filibusters of President Bush's judicial nominees. "I guess miracles never cease."

Republicans were delighted by what they called an "admission" from the highest-ranking elected Democrat in the country.

Hat tip to Ex-Donkey who adds: “Actually the real miracle will be if the Dems don't lose more seats in 2006.” Welcome to the permanent minority, Harry!