Somebody had the foresight to position an African-American girl (3 years old?) along Bush's pathway as he approached the lectern to give the State of the Union. Bush, of course, stopped, hugged the girl, and continued on his way, shaking hands and being well received.

So will this become a new, standard thing in State of the Union Speeches? Sort of like having the special guest who sits with the First Lady? The cute kid to be hugged en route?

***
Turns out that it was Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr's daughter (just saw her sitting on his lap). I am so furious at Bush that I can't keep this in perspective; I'm angry that Jackson took his kid to the address and allowed her to be used as a prop (rather than the equally true point of view that this is a perq that daddy gets for being a rep and you can come meet the president and be on national tv).