Milbank looks for signs of Caucus membership with hand-clap-ometer …
When Bush told the crowd that personal Social Security accounts are the best way to improve the retirement system, most Republican lawmakers leapt to their feet. But a small band of moderates — including Sens. Olympia J. Snowe (Maine), Susan Collins (Maine), George V. Voinovich (Ohio) and Mike DeWine (Ohio) — were slow to join the applause. As others felt the pressure to come to their feet, Snowe, who has said she would “certainly not” support Bush’s proposal, remained seated without applauding. She smiled uncomfortably and re-crossed her legs.
Remember for future reference, Collins easily swayed by colleagues’ hand slaps.
