Within the world of recount geekdom lies the backwater of seniority geekdom. Seniority geeks — anyone else in here? — ponder the recount's negative effects on Minnesota's clout should Al Franken be seated after the new Congress is sworn in tomorrow.

Seniority is a big deal on Capitol Hill; it determines everything from office space to committee and subcommittee chairmanships.

According to Senate rules, had Franken won on Election Day, he'd have lined up as 98th-most-senior Senator. After Jan. 20, when Joe Biden assumes the vice-presidency, he would have have been 97th. After Sens. Clinton and Salazar (presumably) move to President Obama's Cabinet, Franken would stand 95th, and if Illinois' fiasco lingers, 94th.

Like a senatorial game of Chutes and Ladders, the recount potentially knocks Franken down several spots — to as low as 100th, should he be the last member of his class to take the oath.

But wait! Maybe not!

Today's Washington Post quotes "a pair of senior Democratic aides" suggesting that, for seniority purposes, Franken would be recognized as entering with everyone else Jan. 6, no matter when his (potential) victory is finally recognized.

Even though the four appointed senators could take office later, the plan would treat them the same way, giving Franken an ultimate rank of 97th in the 111th Congress.