The earmarks are dead, at least for this year. Lobbyists who promised a return on the fees they billed may be panicking, but organizations forced to pay the freight for specially designated projects are smiling in the privacy of their Washington offices.

Most of the 2007 earmarks disappeared when Republicans decided to leave nine of 11 funding bills for the new Democratic majority to deal with. Some said they hoping they would swamp the incoming leadership’s plans for a fast start during its first 100 days.