The Running Man

It's become almost a habit for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus to talk about how much he's enjoying the task of trying to negotiate a huge health care overhaul bill.

He did it again at the White House this morning, at a news conference to officially unveil a study arguing that fixing what ails the health care system would also boost the nation's economy.

"This is a lot of fun working on all this," said Baucus, "because you talk to all these groups and man, they want to be part of the solution."

In honor of National Running Day tomorrow, we bring you this:

 

Standing just behind Baucus, top White House aides Nancy-Ann DeParle and Peter Orszag, who have been spending countless hours working on that same task, rolled their eyes — a very un-stafflike response.

And as Baucus headed back to the Capitol for a vote, Budget Director Orszag couldn't resist a parting shot. "I would just note Max Baucus's depiction of fun — this is from a man who runs ultramarathons for fun, too," said regular old marathoner Orszag.

"Exactly," quipped DeParle.

Baucus just laughed and said "Thank you."