O'Malley picks flag over Franchot
Gov. Martin O'Malley faced a tough choice this morning: Sit at a lengthy Board of Public Works meeting next to nemesis Peter Franchot, or attend the reopening of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, which houses one of the most famous artifacts to come out of Maryland: the actual star-spangled banner.
Guess what lieutanant governors are for?
With Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown dispatched to Annapolis for some Franchot-fending, O'Malley, a huge history buff, headed to the Mall, taking part in a ceremony with President Bush and historian David McCullough, and moderated by Judy Woodruff.
Below is a White House print pool report of the event, authored by Charlie Hurt of the New York Post.
At 9:50, POTUS and FLOTUS left WH and motorcaded the one square block to the newly-reopened National Museum of American History.
The ceremony was very ably mc'd by Judy Woodruff, who noted that while the United States may still be -- historically speaking -- the "new kid on the block," the country will yet again observe a peaceful transfer of power in just two months.
The museum is home to the Star Spangled Banner, which flew above Fort McHenry during Battle of Baltimore in 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key. The museum has just completed yet another meticulous restoration of the flag.
"We take it seriously and we bring reverence to this task," said Secy of Smithsonian Institution G. Wayne Clough (pronounced like Plouffe).
In the audience were Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, historian David McCullough and five soon-to-be-citizens of the United States.
President Bush, who viewed the banner privately beforehand, spoke for less than eight minutes and said the White House copy of the Gettysburg Address, normally housed in the Lincoln Bedroom, would be on loan in the museum.
He called the short Civil War address the greatest presidential speech in history and he spoke admiringly of President Lincoln for believing that "peace must not be purchased with injustice." (transcript to come)
Motorcaded back and in the House by 10:45.
