the buzz log

It's the must-have gift this season: a Senate seat. As Obama spins through the "best and the brightest" to staff his administration, he is leaving a swath of empty Senate seats behind him -- including his own. And with the next election two years away, the job falls to the governors of the states with vacant seats to find suitable replacements. In the immortal words of Illinois Gov. Blagojevich, "I've got this thing and it's (expletive deleted) golden!"

Four states have yet to decide on replacements, but that hasn't stopped the speculation. The Internet has been buzzing over these post-election selections. Here, your Buzz guide to the states -- and appointees -- where Christmas has come early.

New York: Start spreading the news
Gov. Paterson, who recently netted his own buzz thanks to a rather unflattering "Saturday Night Live" skit, recently got a literal buzz from Caroline Kennedy. The daughter of President John F. Kennedy expressed her interest in the Senate seat recently vacated by Hillary Clinton. The governor is said to be considering her -- and so are many political junkies, given that she's in the top 10 searches. What she lacks in experience she'd make up for in, you know, Kennedy-ness.

Illinois: Party favors
Most governors would understand the magnitude of selecting a Senate seat to replace the newly elected president. Rod Blagojevich saw a big bag of money and power. Or at least, that's how it sounds in the wiretapped phone conversations that led to his arrest for allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by the president-elect. What should be an honor now has the taint of corruption, sending any interested candidates running. The state is considering a special election, given the uniquely awkward situation.

Delaware: Save my seat
The state recently lost its longtime senator to the vice presidency. While Joe Biden has recently spurred look-ups on news that he had adopted a puppy, it's his son who still spurs the curious to search. Biden's seat will be warmed by his aide, Ted Kaufman, who has already announced plans to step aside for the 2010 election, allowing Biden's son Beau, to make a run for it.

Colorado: Go east, young man.
There's a seat up for grabs now that Sen. Ken Salazar has been appointed Secretary of the Interior. Keeping it all in the family, a front-runner to fill the seat could be Salazar's brother, John.