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The Hill’s 12:30 Report — Presented by The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates — George H. W. Bush honored with state funeral| Sights and sounds| Trump seated next to Obamas, Clintons| Dignitaries, notables pay their respects| Latest on Mueller, Flynn| Trump tries to calm investors after stock slide
HAPPENING THIS MORNING
Remembering our 41st president:
3,000 invited guests are gathered at Washington National Cathedral to celebrate the life of former President George H. W. Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94. https:\/\/nbcnews.to\/2SxOcF1
Livestream of the funeral service: https:\/\/cs.pn\/2BQPUvq
Live blog of updates: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2G2U4EE
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE FUNERAL:
Video of Bush’s casket leaving the Capitol as his family and congressional leaders watched: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2zIfbqi
D. C. has seen a lot of this today: „Heading north toward the Cathedral: four VIP buses under police escort.“ (Tweet from Time’s Phil Elliott) http:\/\/bit.ly\/2QaQsFn
Photo of the VIP buses escorted by police: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Ehlqp9
Photo of Prince Charles at the funeral: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2rlgWFe
German Chancellor Angela Merkel flew to D. C. for the memorial: Via journalist Emily Schultheis, here’s a photo of her motorcade: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2ro5QPX
It’s Rudy: Here’s a photo of President Trump ’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani arriving at National Cathedral: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2SvSf4y
The press view of the funeral inside the cathedral: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2KWHtlj
Hundreds of Capitol Hill staffers are outside the Capitol watching: Photos from The Hill’s Scott Wong: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Plsoue
Video of the Secret Service lined up to greet the casket as it passed the White House: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2E2syof
From former first daughter Barabara Bush: Bush, 37, told NBC\u2019s Savannah Guthrie: „I think we’re both heartbroken… We of course expected our grandfather to pass away soon. I mean, he’s 94. And yet it came as such a shock… And yet, I think, I also get a lot of joy knowing that he’s with our grandmother now.\u201d http:\/\/bit.ly\/2QdACJX
From former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney: During Mulroney\u2019s remarks, he said Bush \u201ctaught him this about international relations: \u2018The smaller the country, the longer the speech.\u2019“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2ATdKVD
Mulroney on when world leaders met Bush: „they knew that they were dealing with a gentleman; a genuine leader; one who was distinguished, resolute and brave.\u201d http:\/\/bit.ly\/2BRVgH5
From historian Jon Meacham: \u201cA young George H. W. Bush once wrote to wife Barbara, \u2018I love you, precious, with all my heart and to know that you love me means my life…\u201d http:\/\/bit.ly\/2rkT70j
This line is getting traction — from former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.): „Those who take the high road of humility in Washington, D. C. are not bothered by heavy traffic.“ It even got a laugh from four presidents — watch: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2EfT5iY
From former President George W. Bush: „I once heard it said of man that the idea is to die young [as] late as possible.“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2QEu2eU
On Simpson’s speech — lol: „Bush says his father loved a good joke. ‚That’s why he chose Simpson to speak.'“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2G2EIQC
On finding the good in life: „He looked for the good in each person and he usually found it.“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2rkWeW3
On his father’s life: „He had two settings: Full-throttle … and sleep“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2RIl0uE
On hating veggies: „The man couldn’t stomach vegetables, especially broccoli“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2EePXDS
Meanwhile — livestream of Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport, Maine: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2G1O532
THE TALK OF SOCIAL MEDIA — OH MY, THE BODY LANGUAGE HERE: Seated in the first row at Washington National Cathedral are President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter .
16-second video of the greetings: You can really feel the tension over the livestream. Watch: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2UjLSD1
Their facial expressions are worth 1,000 words each:
Getting traction: Before the Trumps arrived, the Obamas and the Clintons laughed about something. Photo of the laugh: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Efs531
When the Trumps arrived: Photos of President Trump greeting the Obamas. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Ujpvhk
Hillary Clinton’s facial expression here is interesting: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2robL7I
More subtle facial expressions: Here’s a photo of former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton watching as President Trump greeted former first lady Michelle Obama. Photo: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2UeCh0m
Then when the Bushes arrived: Former President George W. Bush greeted President Trump and each of the former presidents. Watch — it’s a very nice moment: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2QGMG6g
If you watch more closely: It looks like George W. Bush passed something to Michelle Obama when he greeted her. See for yourself. Watch: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2UgFI6C
It’s a somber Wednesday in Washington, D. C. I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook .
Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill’s 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2kjMNnn
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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA:
How many people came to the Capitol to pay their respects: Around 57,000 people. (h\/t NBC’s Alex Moe) http:\/\/bit.ly\/2QDm1Ho
A group of sports‘ legends passed through the viewing: Including „golfers Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples, Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman; tennis stars Chris Evert and Pam Shriver; Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski; former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning; baseball star Albert Pujols and Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa .“ Plus: CBS Sports Broadcaster Jim Nantz . https:\/\/fxn.ws\/2Sy2ANv
^^The group later posed for a photo: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Qc6A9z
Photos of Bush’s service dog Sully visiting Bush’s casket in the Capitol: Sully has become a household name in the past few days. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2E31bub
Photo of mourners lining up outside to pay their respects: This is only a tiny part of the line. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2zHX2Jis
^The line continued into the night: Photo of the expansive line outside the Capitol last night. Keep in mind: It was a chilly night. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2zKYjPC
An interesting tidbit — one of Bush’s favorite restaurants is in a strip mall outside of D. C.: „In a non-descript Falls Church strip mall, a culinary secret: the Peking Gourmet Inn, where George H. W. Bush dined with his family more than a hundred times over the last thirty years.“ The restaurant has plaques with their names and bullet-proof glass to protect the Bushes. Photo and full story: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2SoFdWy
Interesting trivia fact: „The summer of 1946 produced three presidents who will be here today. [ President Trump] in June, George W Bush in July and [ Bill Clinton] in August. Born weeks apart, their presidencies span a quarter century.“ (Via NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell) http:\/\/bit.ly\/2BT0RwH
Keep in mind: George W. Bush is now the only living former Republican president. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2rhZd1A
Op-ed: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Pjb3C4
LATEST WITH THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION
Hey everyone else implicated in the Russia probe — take notes:
Special counsel Robert Mueller has recommended that President Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn not receive any jail time. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2AV8vVo
Why: Because of Flynn’s cooperation and „substantial assistance“ in the Russia investigation.
What the sentencing guidelines would recommend: Zero to six months in prison and a fine up to $9,500.
Some context: It was about a year ago that Flynn pleaded guilty and agreed to help the special counsel.
When will Flynn be sentenced?: It is scheduled for Dec. 18. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2AV8vVo
What everyone is talking about: „The memo and attached addendum describing Flynn’s cooperation, which total 13 pages, are heavily redacted in areas, to protect the subject of ongoing investigations.“
OTHER NEWS THIS MORNING
Trump tries to reassure nervous investors:
This morning, President Trump sought to calm fears about trade after the markets tumbled yesterday. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2GaUwAG
He tweeted: „Very strong signals being sent by China once they returned home from their long trip, including stops, from Argentina. Not to sound naive or anything, but I believe President Xi meant every word of what he said at our long and hopefully historic meeting. ALL subjects discussed!“
What sparked this: Trump warned China yesterday that he is a „Tariff Man.“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2AR6nxZ
GETTING TRACTION
PETA is trying to make common phrases more animal-friendly and people have THOUGHTS:
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says many common phrases are anti-animal and offered a few alternatives. http:\/\/bit.ly\/2PiXFxO
My favorite reaction: Via The Huffington Post’s Nick Wing: „We should also address the 800-pound gorilla in the room who is the perfect weight because we don’t body shame here.“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2zMdSGR
^Also from Wing:
„\u2219 Curiosity gave the cat an upset tummy.
\u2219 More than one way to pet a cat.
\u2219 Let the cat out of its spacious cat carrier.“ http:\/\/bit.ly\/2EhfzQH
More reactions — people were not pleased: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2PiXFxO
NOTABLE TWEETS
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ON TAP
The House is out. The Senate meets this afternoon. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D. C., attending the funeral for former President George H. W. Bush.
2:30 p.m. EST: The Senate meets.
4 p.m. EST: The Senate has a procedural vote on a nomination. It’s full schedule today: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2BQNtcg
WHAT TO WATCH
11 a.m. EST: The funeral for former President George H. W. Bush at Washington National Cathedral. Livestream: https:\/\/cs.pn\/2BQPUvq
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF…
Today is National Comfort Food Day. That feels appropriate for a somber day.
Yes, you may hate this article, but you will want to read it:
The New York Times’s Katherine Rosman writes about designer baby food with complex flavors and spices. Think: Cumin, chia seeds, mulligatawny, „buckwheat-infused kabocha squash and quinoa-fortified kale and pears.“ https:\/\/nyti.ms\/2E28pyC
The worst\/best line: From a mother, „Luke has always been a foodie and has never really liked pur\u00e9e. From the age of 4 months, we would give him the skin of smoked whitefish with the fat on it and he would just demolish it.“
And to lighten the mood a little, here’s a dog who doesn’t understand why his stick won’t fit over the bridge: http:\/\/bit.ly\/2UhFZ9B<\/p>\n