Almanac: At the Capitol

The majority and minority leaders of the House are good. Today there was another classic Sertich-Seifert exchange on the floor. Majority Leader Tony Sertich stood up to ask Minority Leader Marty Seifert why he was surrounded by children, he recalled an Indiana Jones movie where the villain surrounds himself with children for protection (Sertich is quite a movie buff). Seifert responded that they were thinking of fleeing the state because of tax increases, women and children first. That got a laugh. Sertich quickly rejoined that Seifert's children may want to flee, but he's trying to get them more funding for their schools. That got a laugh too. These guys are doing a masterful job of bringing a good amount of levity mixed with just enough policy to keep it quotable and fun. They are so well matched. Each is smart and young, quick and experienced. And they don't seem to hate each other which can be productive. BTW, Seifert's family is at the Capitol today to celebrate his birthday, he's 35 which even he will admit surprises most people who he says think he's 45. Rep. Phyllis Kahn just stood up to add her two cents. She pointed out that at 35 Alexander the Great was already dead for 3 years and in his year of birth 1972 Prozac was introduced.