When Senate President Mike Miller talks about January as the time for decision-making when it comes to whether state Sen. Ulysses Currie keeps his Budget committee chairmanship, he's not really talking about January.

He's talking about a six month window for Currie to bow out somewhat gracefully. To find an excuse for stepping down from his post -- or even the Senate itself -- for some medical or family reason in the intervening time.

Miller still holds Currie in high regard, yet his flagrant disregard for state ethics guidelines plus a sharp Sword of Damocles in potential federal criminal charges in the matter is tying state Democrats' stomachs into Gordian knots.

Obviously, they are concerned with avoiding General Assembly votes on budget legislation that Currie presided over in committee, and Currie knows this from private conversations.

Only Miller had to take this plea public to give Currie an added push. It's a courtesy to a friend and another pol who hangs on to the idea that maybe he is invincible.

The hammer is coming down, and Miller's comment to the Sun yesterday is his hope that Currie isn't standing in its way when it lands.