But that's what we had on Thursday morning as Rep. Jackie Speier joined the House, replacing the late Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA.)

Speier was first introduced and praised by the longest serving Democrat and Republican in the California delegation, as is the custom. There were kind words about Lantos, who died in February of cancer. It was all pretty routine stuff.

Usually the new member then speaks for the first time, says a few things about how proud they are to be serving their home state, how they can't fill the shoes of the departed member and everyone applauds. (Then they go to the Speaker's office for a fake swearing-in for the cameras.)

But this time, things sort of veered off track.

Speier, who worked on Capitol Hill for years before running for office back in California, opened by remembering her original boss, Rep. Leo Ryan, who was killed in the aftermath of the Jonestown mass suicides. She also of course had kind words for Lantos. Very normal.

But then, Speier mentioned the War in Iraq, saying it was obviously a major issue for the voters in her San Francisco area district back home.

"The process to bring the troops home must begin, immediately," declared Speier, who turned her head in the direction of the Republican side of the aisle as she finished her sentence.

That drew light applause from Democrats.

"The President wants to stay the course," said Speier, who then took a veiled jab at Sen. John McCain, saying the "man who wants to replace him (Bush) suggests we could be in Iraq for a hundred years,"

That was too much for a number of Republicans, who erupted in jeers, boos and general verbal displeasure, forcing Speaker Nancy Pelosi to use her gavel.

"The House will be in order," said Pelosi, as Speier smiled broadly from the well.

Speier wasn't finished. She then talked about economic uncertainty among voters in her district and jabbed again at the GOP.

"They are also worried about their jobs, their houses and their futures," Speier said, as she launched into an economic screed that drew more jeers from the GOP side mixed with applause from the Democrats.

"When will our government care as much for Main Street Americans as Wall Street speculators," Speier quoted a voter, drawing more grumbles from the GOP side.

Finishing her speech, Speier drew a standing ovation from Democrats, while Republicans sat on their hands, getting up only to head for the exits.

I've seen a lot of lawmakers sworn in on the floor - usually they don't go like this one did. But it certainly is reflective of the political situation we are in right now, especially on the Iraq War.

It came as a new AP-Ipsos poll was released that showed President Bush with a 28% approval rating, while Congress only has a 23% approval rating.

One more note about members taking the oath on the House Floor. When I was a Page in the House, we would stand along the back rail when a new Member was being sworn in and raise our own right hand, so we could get "sworn in" as well.