Entries for January 23, 2007

Ending on a Good Note

10:08: Fox is broadcasting the audio of members talking to the president. Cliff Stearns of Florida tells him the best line was "We did not vote for failure." I'd love a transcript of this; can't take it all down fast enough. One woman member--I think it's freshman Minnesota Republican Michele Bachmann--kisses Bush. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tells Bush that "Jeb is my constituent now." Ralph Hall, the oldest member of the House, slaps Bush on the shoulder. Bush is schmoozing in the hall with Tom Harkin, who is very cordial. Russ Feingold is very pleasant.

Immediate post-speech thoughts:

Democrats were not as hostile as I thought they might be. Part of this is a response to the ceremonial nature of the occasion, and Bush played on this ably at various points in the speech.

10:04: Bush shakes hand with Pat Leahy, who will do his best to reject his major judicial nominees.

10:02: Hails America in the last paragraph. Hits a very good note. I'd like to quote it in full.