Barron just told Errol Louis - who is managing the impressive feat this week of filling in for both Brian Lehrer and Ben Smith - that Towns' absence is "disrespectful," while Green said it shows "contempt for the democratic process itself."

Green also noted that Towns owns one of the worst attendance records in Congress and called him a "Republicrat" for supporting the CAFTA and for not holding the Democratic Party line the repeal of the estate tax.

Barron also attacked Towns, but offered a spirited defense of this guy.

So far, Towns hasn't called in to respond. Which kind of fits.

-- Josh Benson