NELSON AND MARTINEZ AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN...CAN IT LAST, CONSIDERING THE SUBJECT?

St. Petersburg Times Capitol Bureau Chief Lucy Morgan reports this weekend that Florida's two U.S. Senators, Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson, have decided to work together on the issue of reviewing federal judiciary appointments.

Nelson and Martinez announced on Friday at a St. Pete reunion of Leadership Florida members that they would reform a commission similar to one used when Bob Graham and Connie Mack, III were serving together where the panel would submit recommendations for federal judges and marshalls, which pending agreement by both senators would be forwarded to the White House.

Normally the privilege of such nominations would fall to the senator whose party is in the White House, in this case, Martinez. But the two senators say they believe they can work together in supporting a nominee, and Martinez says he will not forward a name if his collegue has serious objections to that person.

The two senators say that once the commission has been formed, they will interview persons who have been recommended and determine who will be nominated.