Watching the vote on Speaker we are seeing defections from both sides, though more from the GOP.
What I found interesting is that even though they vote in alphabetical order the votes still seemed clumped by party. Do similar sounding last names determine your party affiliation now ?
On the other side of the hill we have Vice President Biden performing the ceremonial swearing in ceremonies for the members of the Senate.
I’ve observed before that while I don’t agree with Biden on all of the issues he is one of the nicest guys in DC.
As I watch these swearing in ceremonies my views are reinforced. As each member is sworn in they are joined by members of the family, and afterwards pictures are taken. Biden makes an effort to greet every person no matter how many (and with some of these members there are a lot of people). He seems to sense those who are nervous or uncomfortable and makes a special effort to put them at ease. He greets many by name (certainly he may have some help there) and just has a sincere warmth.
I have to say if I had to choose between having lunch with Biden or Obama (toss in the Congressional leadership too) I’d pick Biden. He just strikes me as one of the most sincerely nice people in the city.