Hotline After Dark -- Pelosi's Day

Last night TV focused on the new Congress, particularly on the change of power in the House and new Speaker Nancy Pelosi. There was a little Iraq talked mixed in:

FNC's Garrett: "Pelosi cradled the newest of six grandchildren and posed for pictures on the House floor. Basking in the history of the moment, Pelosi hugged jubilant Democrats and mixed with deferential Republicans" ("Special Report," 1/4).

CNN's Bash: "Symbols of a new Democratic era everywhere: Hollywood actor Richard Gere in the gallery, former Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert in the back with the rank-and-file" ("AC 360," 1/4).

U.S. News' Bedard, on Pelosi: "She wore purple today. Not because she likes Barney, but why? It's the color of the suffragette movement. ... It was scripted that way. It is supposed to have meaning and it does have meaning" ("Tucker," MSNBC, 1/4).

Time's Klein: "This was probably Nancy Pelosi's most effective public moment. I mean, she hit every note perfectly today, down to having the kids join her at the end of the program. And, for the first time in George Bush's slow progress toward accepting reality, this new dramatic reality in Iraq, this had to be a dramatic moment, because this was a woman with a very big voice today" ("AC 360," 1/4).

New York Times' Kornblut, on the kids: "There were at least 76 kids on the Democratic side, including the five grandchildren that were piled on top of Nancy Pelosi, and a mere 41 kids on the Republican side" ("Scarborough Country," MSNBC, 1/4).

MSNBC's Viqueira, on Dems: "They want to get through the month of January. Talk about Iraq, investigations, oversight -- that's not going to start until February when the president's budget comes up here" ("Hardball," 1/4).

CNN's J. King: "The president's speech on Iraq is one thing that could threaten bipartisanship, certainly will threaten bipartisanship" ("AC 360," 1/4). [EMILY GOODIN]