THE SPEECH IS DONE, but before the serious pontificating begins, let’s turn to one of the most important questions: What’s with the red suit? Every year the Power Women of Washington dig out their loudest red suits so that they’ll stand out in the crowd when the cameras pan across the House chamber. This year was no different. In a bipartisan show of support for red power suits, Nancy Pelosi, Christie Todd Whitman, Elizabeth Dole, and (by my unscientific count) nearly 80 percent of the women on hand wore scarlet. Coincidence?
The notable exceptions this year were a handful of daring ladies in blues and teals, and Senators Clinton and Feinstein, who wore black. I suspect they were trying to make some sort of political statement, but whatever their motives, I applaud them. Now, on to business.
Worst attempt to shamelessly glad-hand the president after constantly criticizing him: Sheila Jackson Lee, who got to the chamber at 5:30 p.m. to stake out her aisle seat. (In her defense, she wore teal.)
Worst instance of self-congratulation: “Some might call this a good record, I call it a good start.”
Worst bid to suck up to the president: Trent Lott, grinning, applauding, and sporting a baby-blue tie.
Worst luck in camera cutaways: Smash cut to–John Edwards! As President Bush mentions limiting frivolous malpractice lawsuits!
Worst Bush speech tic: “Nuc-u-lar.” Or was it “Peninshula” (like the former Dolphins’ coach)?
Worst Pat Riley comb-over/slick-back: Joe Biden.
Best cranky-grandpa moment: Donald Rumsfeld’s stolen, exasperated glance at his watch. At 9:08 p.m.
Best abandonment of principle for partisanship: Democrats’ silence when Bush called for renewable energy research.
Best enforcer not on the Bush team: Terry Tate, Office Linebacker.
Best Will Farrell moment: “Hitlerism.”
Best future Jay Leno one-liner: “Hey, Sen. Kerry, why the long face?”
Best line: “Let’s put it this way: They’re no longer a problem for the United States and our friends and allies.”
Jonathan V. Last is online editor of The Weekly Standard.
