The great unwashed.

[Carleton Hughes]

Reid: Capitol Visitor Center Will Minimize 'Smell' of Tourists
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is looking on the bright side as the Capitol Visitor Center opens years behind schedule and millions over budget.

FOXNews.com
Tuesday, December 02, 2008

1 9 Comments | Add Comment

The Capitol Visitor Center is opening years behind schedule and millions over budget, but at least it's got good ventilation.

That was Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's take at the official dedication for the center Tuesday morning, as he quipped that members will no longer have to "smell the tourists" on hot summer days.

"My staff has always said, 'Don't say this,' but I'm going to say it again because it's so descriptive because it's true," Reid said.

He referenced House Minority Leader John Boehner's comments about the long lines of tourists that stream into the Capitol complex, and said: "In the summertime, because (of) the high humidity and how hot it gets here, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol."

As the crowd laughed, Reid said, "And that may be descriptive but it's true. Well, that is no longer going to be necessary."

So put the deo away, and let the Capitol Visitor Center do the work.

The massive, 580,000 square-foot facility is the largest addition to the Capitol complex in its history.

An exhibit hall contains important documents and artifacts, and the facility is expected to host about 3 million visitors a year.

The $621 million project, however, was completed more than $350 million over original projections and four years behind schedule.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

The $621 million project, however, was completed more than $350 million over original projections and four years behind schedule.

I'm SHOCKED!!!!! Oh yeah. Govt needs to get more involved in our lives. NOT!!!

[Mistress]

and people wonder why the economy is bad.....

[Dee8go]

Originally Posted by aklim

I'm SHOCKED!!!!! Oh yeah. Govt needs to get more involved in our lives. NOT!!!

In the event that the gubmint starts running our healthcare, none of us will be able to afford asprin anymore, let alone major medical expenses.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by Dee8go

In the event that the gubmint starts running our healthcare, none of us will be able to afford asprin anymore, let alone major medical expenses.

Those canucks have been running here for healthcare. If our healthcare gets trashed, we can run over to them for healthcare. Fair is fair, right?

[MTI]

Anyone that's ever ridden the DC Metro after the nation's schools get out in June through August . . . knows the reality of the situation.

[A264172]

The original plans called only for a visitors 'entrance' to be installed.

[Mistress]

thanks marty that was great.

[MTI]

resizing images . . . a good thing.

[A264172]

Yikes.

Yeah, I'm half incompetent, and half lazy.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by MTI

Anyone that's ever ridden the DC Metro after the nation's schools get out in June through August . . . knows the reality of the situation.

Can't be worse than riding back to Port Belvoir after a Dead Show at RFK just before it shuts down.

[Medmech]

Aside from the smell the comment is offensive to me, a congressman should be overjoyed that the people he his supposed to represent take the time to tour the building that they own.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by Howitzer

Aside from the smell the comment is offensive to me, a congressman should be overjoyed that the people he his supposed to represent take the time to tour the building that they own.

Yeah, they need to remember that we own it, they are just renting space for a bit.

[The Swede]

Originally Posted by John Doe

Can't be worse than riding back to Port Belvoir after a Dead Show at RFK just before it shuts down.

My sense of smell was long gone by that time.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by The Swede

My sense of smell was long gone by that time.

That ride during Spring Tour always reminded me of Space Mountain at Disney World