The Hiller Instinct: Romney Inauguration

Reverend Gloria White Hammond
"I'm going to ask that you symbolize to work one with another by joining hand as we come before God."

The invocation set the tone, an unusual, but necessary spirit of cooperation.

Reverend Gloria White Hammond
"Isn't this wonderful? This is a moment in history right now."

And while the official program said the Senate president alone would swear in Romney...

Robert Travaglini, Senate President
"As evidence of the depth and the sincerity of our commitment, I'm going to ask the speaker to join me."

Unexpectedly, Romney jumped ahead of the House speaker and Tom Finneran flashed his humor.

Mitt Romney, Governor
"That I will faithfully disharge and perform."

Tom Finneran, House Speaker
"All the duties incumbent on me as."

Mitt Romney
"All the duties incumbent upon me as the governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Tom Finneran
"He's quick."

Before the swearing in, when Romney entered the House chamber to loud applause, one of the people he stopped briefly to talk to was Democrat John Kerry, who's running for president. On Kerry's way out...

Andy Hiller
"So, what do you think of Romney?"

Sen. John Kerry, D-MA
"I though he did a very good job, I really liked it. It was a common sense, thoughtful, low-key approach with a lot of reality. I liked it."

Andy Hiller
"Is he presidential timber?"

Sen. John Kerry
"Oh, a long way from now, man."

Shannon O'Brien, State Treasurer
"You know, I certainly wish that I were giving that speech today, but obviously I wish the new governor and lieutenant governor well. It's going to be a challenge for them, with the budget being what it is right now and I'm hoping he will be able to invest in the people of Massachusetts."

You don't have to be a skeptic to say, "The way Beacon Hill was today isn't the way it will be in a couple of weeks." But you don't have to be naive to wonder, "Why not?" Given what's ahead, partnership will trump partisanship every time and today just proved it again.