I missed most of Frist’s speech so can’t comment on it. I did catch him saying that 9/11 brought the Congress together…we all know that lasted so long as Democrats agreed with each and every one of the Republicans’ demands.
The next speaker learned the hard way what can occur when you challenge that Ashcroft/Homeland Security-enforced togetherness and I thought Daschle’s speech was excellent. While I rarely agree with his politics he has few rivals for gentlemanly conduct and understated elegance. The sentiments he expressed and his delivery were first-rate. If I had a copy of the speech I’d excerpt it.
DeLay on the other hand is a puffed-up redneck and his brief manifesto was littered with buzz words. He’s a fumbling orator who at first declared he was ‘proud’ to be there then blushingly changed it to humble, quite understandable. I doubt DeLay has experienced a humble moment in his bug exterminating life.
Pelosi’s entry was on the pandering side as well though her delivery far outshined DeLay’s. She was the only lawmaker who actually looked good in her sunglasses. There were a few in that ‘illustrious’ contingent appearing to use them to shield bloodshot eyes betrayed by a detectable unsteadiness on the hungover side of the hill, or looked to be part of some sinister mob.
The band which no one acknowledged and the mingling crowd ignored as they left the scene was superb. Three cheers for the band.