Two of our new local senators are among the Top 10 legislators to watch in the new Congress, says Chris Cillizza at the WashPost:

1. Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey (R): Toomey is a man in the middle. His strong fiscal conservatism gives him credibility among the tea party crowd but he's spent time in the House and has cordial relationships with the party establishment too. How does Toomey navigate between the two camps?

. . . 10. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D): Manchin got elected last fall by running directly against the Obama Administration's main legislative priorities. Does he keep that anti-everything approach as an actual senator or does he let leadership bend his ear (and his vote) on some issues? Remember that Manchin has to stand for a full term in 2012 and Republicans will be watching each and every vote very carefully for signs that the former governor has "gone Washington".