Roundtable Setup Left Some Republicans Feeling Like Squares

The furor was finally quelled when the congressman wrote an op-ed piece published Sunday in several home-state papers. "I apologize for handling this situation as I did. I allowed this distraction to get out of hand and divert our attention from the critically important work we are doing," he said. "My mishandled attempt at humor wasn't delivered or received well. It won't happen again."

Asked whether the lawmaker understands now the danger of exaggerating in politics -- even in jest -- an adviser to Kagen said: "One would hope."

Thank You, Mr. President

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) watched Tuesday's State of the Union address from his room at George Washington University Hospital and was touched that President Bush acknowledged him, a spokeswoman for the senator said. Johnson has been in the hospital since Dec. 14, when he underwent brain surgery, and his recovery has been slow.

The senator was transferred from intensive care to a rehabilitation unit at the hospital two weeks ago, and he is starting to talk.

"It is not a conversation yet, but it's progress," said Julieanne Fisher, the spokeswoman. "He is saying words, and he understands."

A statement on his Web site says "he has been working with parallel bars and participating in speech therapy, including naming objects." He also ate a hamburger.

In his speech, Bush also singled out Republican Rep. Charles Norwood of Georgia, who is being treated for a recurrence of cancer that has developed near his kidney.

"Two members of the House and Senate are not with us tonight," the president said, "and we pray for [their] recovery and speedy return."

Norwood's staff said he was "thrilled" by the president's wishes. The congressman is receiving chemotherapy as an inpatient at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, spokesman John Stone said.