She's the mystery senator because she doesn't support the bill? The support for this assertion is a press release from her challenger? Come on. She should support the bill, but I think CFG is jumping to conclusions.

A better candidate is the preciously named Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), who will not answer the direct question: Did you place the hold? There's no penalty for saying, No, only praise, and the only reason for refusing to answer is to avoid being called a liar later.

This just in: according to TPM Muckraker, which is tracking who has denied placing the hold, Stabenow says she didn't. The number of deniers is up to 75.

Also, a recent Senate rule change indicates the Senator who placed the hold must state why for the Congressional Record within three days of placing the hold.

Also according to TPM Muckraker, "Senator Hatch's office said that Senator Hatch supports the bill however if he had placed the secret hold we wouldn't know because it is secret."

I don't think Hatch would do it. He has some prestige. This is type of chicanery a party leader foists on some foolish newbie looking to make some points. Such as Chabliss.

make that 82 deniers. the noose tightens.

porkbusters has a tally that indicates who hasn't denied placing the hold, but it's not as up to date:

http://porkbusters.org/secrethold.php

Heavy betters on other blogs are pointing to Stevens the bridge to nohwhere alaska guy

No, actually it's our distinguished senator from Alaska.