Philip--Weird, no, but disappointing for you I'm sure. It seems relatively common for senators (their staffs) to talk to each other before finalizing their nominations so as not to duplicate the lists--spread the wealth among the constituents in the state. Not as many senators also talk to all the Congressional members in their state since there are so many of them, especially in larger states, but it does happen. My son got a nom from our congressman, and went into his 2 senator interviews knowing that he could only get one at most since they were up front about telling the candidates it would be one or the other (or none) but not both.