Boxers And Briefs: A New Place For Sparring At The WH

A frequent member of the "company" at "Couric & Co.", Mark Knoller has filed this little reflection on the new White House briefing room over at Public Eye:

In a ceremony more closely associated with supermarket openings, President Bush this morning cut a red, white and blue ribbon to inaugurate the newly renovated White House Briefing Room.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The event also marked the return to the West Wing of the White House press corps – ending an 11-month exile in a conference center across the street and down the block.

"Welcome back," said the President – adding a little needle to his greeting, "We missed you -- sort of."

He spoke from a brand new, high-tech podium.

Gone is the simple blue-curtain backdrop.

It now looks like something from the flight deck of the Starship Enterprise.

It's got stage lighting, rotating panels and two 45-inch video screens on which the White House can display charts, graphs, logos or commutation announcements.

The room has new furniture, carpeting and marble slabs on the wall. It smells like a new car – though press rooms have a way of quickly taking on the aroma of its occupants.