 It's a pleasure and a privilege, Mr. President, to have you with us here tonight. There are those who say that as host of the McLaughlin Group, I am too soft on Ronald Reagan. Well, as anyone can plainly see, it pays off. I am grateful for your presence tonight, Mr. President, for a special reason. It gives you a chance to straighten out the panelists. Take Morton Condracke. You may be able to persuade Morton that just because it's fair where the liberal friends don't talk to him anymore, that does not mean that he's not beloved and respected. Besides that, sir, he now has you as his patron and his mentor and his hero, Jack Jemond. You may be able to persuade Jack that liberal, old-style liberals are not unloved and are not unwanted today. Liberals are loved. They are wanted, especially as Democratic presidential candidates. I have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you the McLaughlin's Group's most important fan, the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Always wanted to be on a McLaughlin show. I was in the eight neighborhood and thought I'd just drop in, but let's cut the nonsense and get down to Beltway business. Issue one, the McLaughlin Group, three years running strong and getting stronger. Seen in what you just heard, how many markets, and now we know that next year it's going to play the big towns. In just three short years, the McLaughlin Group has distinguished itself on three fronts. First, it became a staple. That was a Freudian slip. In America's diet of political commentary, its intellectual nutritional values fall somewhere between potato chips and Twinkies. Second, the McLaughlin Group also serves as the most tasteful programming alternative to professional wrestling live from Madison Square Garden. And third, it's also been an obedience school for White House staffers. Issue two, political potpourri. We're talking about the four horsemen of the political apocalypse and their now famous rotating chair. By the way, Pat Buchanan rotated all the way to a windowless office down the hall in the West Wing just across from the broom closet. Well, I can dish it out as well as take it. I'm going to give it to you with the bark on. That's McLaughlin Group talk. Robert Novak, the Prince of Darkness. I only said that because he's so darn liberal. Motan Kondraki, neo-conservative, neoliberal, one of the best open minds in the business. Jack Germand, everything Geraldine Ferraro is today, she owes to Jack. But don't laugh, at least he got Minnesota right. And John McLaughlin, Mr. T of TV Journalism. I once described John by saying the United States needs a tax increase like John McLaughlin needs assertiveness training. John took a simple Sunday morning discussion format out of the issues of our day and using the insights, skill, and great humility that have become his trademarks, managed to turn it into a political version of Animal House. On the last word in keeping with the format of the show, I'd like to offer a prediction. I predict that besides your current outlets, you're going to be carried by at least one other major city, Miami Vice, watch out. As you've heard, the group promises real mayhem, and this kid McLaughlin, he means business. Well, thank you for making that half hour every weekend something very special to look forward to. I wouldn't miss it, I can't afford to. God bless you all. Thank you.