What’s Trendy in the U.S. Congress?

Washington’s back after the holidays. The capital is beginning to breathe in rhythm with its 112th Congress and will observe it with curiosity. Now showing this season: “serious” and “less serious.” It’s underway, and Washington is speaking of nothing else. Let’s start with a little game: the tears of new speaker John Boehner: trendy or trashy? Are tax cuts cool or tacky? The tea party is…? Heading for the bench…

This is a detailed review of what all the conversations about Congress are about. With the exception of the leggings Michelle Obama wore exiting Air Force One when returning from Hawaii, what the Huffington Post called “questionable pants,” which we will not discuss. No comment.

Thus the trends in the Capitol are:

Tears. You could not have missed John Boehner’s since Nov. 5. Washington is spiraling; the new speaker is emotional and cries a lot. And everything is an opportunity to burst into tears: his first TV appearance after the Republican victory, when he took office and when power was transferred. We’ll pass this time, but it will not be surprising to see political opponents talk about Kleenex politics.

“Jackie Brown” blue. No, Nancy is not cast in the cult film’s remake, but she adopted lead role Jackie’s trademark color. Normal, as it’s the color of the Democratic Party and Nancy was forbidden to wear it while Speaker of the House so as not to seem partisan. As leader of the Democratic opposition in the House, she wanted to impress both spirits and screens sporting this very charming stewardess-inspired suit.

Impeccable grooming. Here there are two schools. First is Pelosi’s style, with hair washed every day (like countless Americans), very clean cut, thoroughly brushed and hair-sprayed, it goes without saying. And then there’s Lisa Murkowski’s mane: she has only just been confirmed as Senator of Alaska after a Homeric struggle and you have the hair outside of the head, which is very sculpted.

Being a Rookie, Inevitably Republican. John Boehner now has 80, with no experience except from their campaigns, who do not intend to compromise. How will he bring them into line gently?

Being a Member of the Tea Party — and Proud of It. 40 candidates have been elected to the House or Senate with this movement’s support, which is fighting with all its might against anything that resembles the State and its “extravagant” spending. How will they survive the paradox of being in the sanctuary and being its number one critics? A good drama will follow.

Tax Cuts. Saying this phrase all the time is the most widespread trend. Barely settled into his new nest, John Boehner, the man who cries incessantly, has scheduled a vote today to reduce the House’s operating expenses. To reduce recurrent expenditures by $32.5 million, members will have to cut their salaries… It’s symbolic and it will be fine.

Throwing Out Obama’s Health Care Reforms Starting Jan. 12. Not hard to coach the House here. But afterward, who will negotiate with the Big Bad Wolf Harry Reid in the Senate? Little Nancy, who decided that all Democrats would vote for the reform, will see to it.

Who is Sarah Palin? We’d almost forgotten. It’s dangerous to leave the polls when America is thinking about elections. After her omnipresence during the midterm elections, her TV series on Alaska, her new book and the construction of her (very problematic) new team, we should revisit this dream creature.