BEING A DEMOCRAT MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY - by Sybil Adelman Sage

The Democrats are nothing if not forgiving. They voted to allow Joe Lieberman, the errant Senator who maligned Obama while stumping with McCain, back in. Lieberman, who always looks as if he's just swallowed something not meant to be eaten, showed little appreciation other than to acknowledge regret at some things he'd said.

Hillary, who attacked Obama harshly during what felt like the early decades of this campaign, has been invited to be Secretary of State, and is reportedly mulling the offer, not sure if she wants to be under another man or retain her independence as Senator. She does admit being flattered by the offer, but is far less enthusiastic than might be expected, given the history.

Ed Rendell, despite having been a vocal supporter of Hillary, is being considered for Secretary of energy or transportation. "Transition" can be taken literally to signal all is forgiven.

Eric Holder, Jr., who’s been tapped to serve as attorney general, on the other hand, may pay a price for having failed to oppose Bill Clinton’s last-minute pardon of "fugitive financier Marc Rich," the man formerly married to Denise Rich, a generous contributor to the Clinton presidential library.

The message? Forgiving is all the rage. Pardoning? Not so much.

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive the Bush administration and hope Bush doesn't give himself a last-minute pardon.