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Little boys in suits and ties and women in an almost de rigueur uniform of smart black numbers bustle past a rather more casually dressed protester. The middle-aged man in a hippy type tie-dye outfit is carrying a banner demanding the repeal of healthcare reform and shrieking "14 billion freakin' dollars, man". Another man has a different slogan, another cause: "First, second, third, and you've got it, fourth priority: repeal planned parenthood." Supporters stand by carrying gruesome anti-abortion photographs and a picture of the Virgin Mary.

The two different messages boil down to one thought: "We've got our eye on you." The new Republicans inside know their supporters outside have high expectations, and will be watching.

Inside there is a rather more admiring and trusting audience. In a nice touch, children are allowed in to witness the triumph of their parents.

Waiting for the outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi to finish her rather vacuous speech, the new man in the job, John Boehner, looked rather nervous, chewing his lip and tapping his fingers on a chair. Rather predictably, when she mentioned his family a pristine white hanky was at the ready, and he duly whipped it out to wipe his eyes.

As if to show he is no softie, he has asked for a bigger gavel than usual. Brandishing the out-sized wooden mallet was perhaps a sign of how hard he intends to hammer the Democratic agenda. His speech was measured, promising he would be a caretaker overseeing an accountable and responsive government. "No longer can we kick the can down the road. People have voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions," he said.

Fine rhetoric for a fine day. It won't be long before we see if it satisfies the man in the tie-dye.

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