Students can learn great lessons when placed in decision-making roles. Simulating a Senate confirmation hearing can give students a glimpse of how government works and a chance to evaluate historical figures and issues. Any simulation, however, is an imperfect imitation of a real event. Having to make a decision based on incomplete information reveals some of the limits of knowledge and wisdom. Middle school students wrestle with these challenges, and several others, in the simulation described in this article. (Contains 4 notes.)