She'll make tax-and-spend liberals sleep on the couch.

Have you heard of the new parlor game? It’s all the rage. It’s called What If Ensign Resigns? Steve Sebelius, the Gleaner and others have speculated on what Governor Jim Gibbons might do in the unlikely event that Sen. John Ensign succumbs to the pressure generated by his sleazy dalliance and decides to talk away from Washington.

I agree the most likely move would be for Gov. Gibbons to appoint himself to the position. The governor could argue that he has plenty of experience on Capitol Hill and that his departure from Carson City would be widely cheered by Nevadans of all political stripes. There has been additional speculation that Gibbons might give the coveted position to one of his wingnut supporters or cronies, such as Monte Miller or Ty Cobb. (Or how about Lance Gilman of the Mustang Ranch?)

Here’s another name to throw into the mix, and it makes sense on several levels.  Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome United States Sen. Dawn Gibbons.

Think about it. It would get Dawn out of town and out of Jim’s hair. He wouldn’t have to worry about running into her at their Reno home or at the drive-in movie. It would mean she would have a steady income and wouldn’t need to take a big bite out of Jim’s wallet. And we all remember how well the two of them got along for all those years when he lived on one coast while she lived on the other.

She’s rested and ready, young and spunky, with just a whiff of crazy. This appointment would kill a lot of birds with one stone.