Vet Secretary Skips Speech As Precaution [Jim Nicholson]

AP ^ | 1/31/6

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson stayed away from the Capitol Tuesday night in case of a catastrophic attack or accident as President Bush delivered his State of the Union address.

House and Senate leaders of both parties also asked four top lawmakers to skip the speech, which is given in the House chamber.

By long-standing tradition, a member of the president's Cabinet misses the speech to Congress as a precaution against the entire administration being wiped out and to maintain the presidential line of succession. The last two years then-Commerce Secretary Donald Evans did not attend.

[SmithL]

I invited him to join me watching it on Fox, but he had other plans.

[msnimje]

This is the same reason 5 members of the Supreme Court are not there tonight.

And, of course, ME!

[islander-11]

I had the privilege to meet Secretary Nicholson this summer. He is an Army Ranger, former head of the RNC and a brilliant man. I felt comforted knowing that there are people of his character and values helping to lead our country.

[C210N]

I did not see the Swimmer at the SOTU...

[MindBender26]

West Point, class of 1961.

[OldFriend]

Secretary of the Treasury Evans was the designee the past two years.

Sure wish he was back at the President's side.

He said he'd be back in a heartbeat if the President needed him.