I always like it when a loud voice yells out from the House floor and introduces the President to lawmakers of both parties.

"Madam Speaker, the President of the United States," said Wilson Linvingood, the U.S. House Sergeant-at-Arms.

For many years, that job fell to the Doorkeeper of the House, a guy by the name of James Malloy, who was an old friend of my family's.  (I played Santa one time for his kids and their friends.)

Malloy must have had a big smile watching the scene last night.

Yes, the center aisle is always jammed, no matter who the President is, and no matter which party controls the White House and the Congress.

But last night seemed different as it took President Obama well over four minutes to make his way from the center door, down the aisle and up to the rostrum, to huge cheers.

I had to chuckle at some of the Republicans who staked out spots along the way, giving them some good face time on TV with a popular President.

Mr. Obama got a big reception from members of the Congressional Black Caucus.  A hug for Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr and more.

There was a really unique moment as a smiling Justice Clarence Thomas happily greeted the first black man to be President of the United States.

They couldn't be further apart in terms of their political beliefs.

I don't care if you think Obama and the Democrats are doing the totally wrong things to help the economy.  The scene last night was historic.

A black man at the lectern, a woman Speaker of the House, with Vice President Biden holding down the fort as the only white man.  (He got a big round of applause from Obama who said, "Nobody messes with Joe."

Times have changed.  Whether it's change for the better, that depends on how you view the current political climate.

But it was a rather amazing four minute walk across the House Chamber.