Was anyone else not invited?
One Year Later, ‘It’s a Beautiful Day’
By David M. Herszenhorn
One year down, one to go, and the Democrats were rocking outside the Capitol this morning, with a DJ spinning the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruce Springsteen and, of course, U2’s “Beautiful Day.”
A year after winning the majority in the mid-term elections, House Democrats gathered to celebrate their legislative accomplishments, while insisting that much work remained to be done.
With Bono crooning in the background, Speaker Nancy Pelsoi of California, came bounding down the steps with the majority leader, Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, and a gaggle of freshmen lawmakers. They joined a crowd of congressional Democrats already assembled amid signs reflecting the party’s major issues over the last year. Homeland Security. College Tuition. Innovation. Minimum Wage. Gulf Coast Recovery. Accountability.
Mr. Hoyer, in a rousing opening speech, declared: “Our record of achievement includes more than 90 pieces of major legislation, nearly 70 percent of which passed with bipartisan support.”
But he also said the Democrats would keep fighting. “But let no one be mistaken: This event is not a celebration. No, it is a reaffirmation of our pledge to the American people: We can, we will, we must continue to fight for them. And, we recognize that our work is not finished; that this do-something New Direction Congress has been blocked too often by a do-nothing president, and his Republican congressional accomplices.”
Meanwhile, one of those congressional Republicans was e-mailing reporters with a different perspective. “Democrats are gathering to celebrate themselves,” wrote Brian Kennedy, a spokesman for Representative John Boehner of Ohio, the Republican leader. “As a reminder here’s what they’ve delivered thus far: 47 bills to name things; 45 non-controversial bills with overwhelming GOP support; 15 bills to extend existing laws; 2 bills passed because of GOP strength. Not quite worthy of today’s pomp and circumstance.”
more...
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/one-year-later-its-a-beautiful-day/