Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's commitment to swear in the winner of Tuesday's Massachusetts Senate special election as soon as "Vice President Joe Biden is available to administer the oath of office" certainly seems crafted to leave open the door to a mischievous game of Hide the Veep.

But even if Vice President Biden is dispatched to some undisclosed location for an extended stay, Tuesday's winner can still be sworn in. That's because any officer of the Senate can swear in a new member.

From the U.S. Senate's website:

Upon taking office, Senators-elect must swear or affirm that they will "support and defend the Constitution." The president of the Senate or a surrogate administers the oath to newly elected or re-elected Senators. The oath is required by the Constitution; the wording is prescribed by law.