Some possible news out of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference was that U.S. Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell is being considered as a replacement for Bill Frist as Majority Leader. But on Saturday, McConnell served a far more humble role, introducing House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Frist. He also talked about a “roaring” U.S. economy: 5 million jobs created since 2003, unemployment is at 4.8% and lower than the ’90s average, home ownership is at an all time high, the stock market up 30% and a capitol gains tax cut which produced more revenue. “The US economy is strong and getting stronger.”

Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois highlighted Republican successes over the past few decades and spoke of his time fighting against “Hillarycare.” Hastert also mentioned the difficulty he had in his former occupation teaching high school teenagers but said nothing has been more difficult for him than trying to teach Senate Democrats the basics of economics.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., enjoyed the warmest reception of any speaker this weekend, though his address didn’t have many obvious applause lines, laugh lines or points to ponder, and most of his message had already been offered by previous speakers. Frist also recalled the beginning of his ‘94 campaign, also in the Peabody, and told the story of how his father rose the ladder of success: “Among the things he taught me is that nothing is impossible. In this land of freedom, nothing is impossible. We’ll protect that freedom, secure that opportunity. We will move this great nation forward. Today, the GOP will lead the way.”

The full text of Frist’s speech is available at VOLPAC.