Who’s your date? Pairing off for the State of the Union [BARF ALERT}

Politico ^ | 1/23/11 | Merideth Shiner

[Right Wingnut 2]

Lawmakers on the Hill haven’t quite broken out the corsages — yet — but the high school level drama is on as senators and representatives scramble to find suitable across-the-aisle seating partners for Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

The very public rollout of odd-couple pairings this week, from lofty press releases to tweets to public displays of bipartisan affection on national TV — where Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) kicked off a Capitol craze on “Meet the Press” last Sunday by announcing their intentions to sit together —

[...]

Several senators, for example, have announced they will sit with the other member of their state’s delegation, including Pennsylvania’s Bob Casey (D) and newly elected ,Pat Toomey (R), and Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin and GOP freshman Mark Kirk.

[...]

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have a long history of working together at the head of the Small Business Committee and almost always express a mutual respect and admiration for each other. Tuesday night they will sit on the Republican side of the aisle in what Landrieu called “a small reflection of the friendship Olympia and I share.”

[...]

Others also have chosen to sit with their counterparts from the other party, most notably House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) and Sue Myrick (R-N.C.), who are at the polar ends of the political spectrum but co-chairs of the Congressional Cancer Caucus, released a statement Friday saying they would sit together and calling for an end to harsh political rhetoric.

[...]

The most-talked about pairing revelation Friday was made by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who announced via twitter she would be sitting with Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.).

[Right Wingnut 2]

I don't know about you, but this makes me sick to my stomach. This is an insanely stupid move by the Republicans. Not only does it serve to give legitimacy to the left's claims that heated rhetoric contributed to the Arizona shooting incident, but it makes Obama look like a unifier.

[LiveFree99]

Yes, it is stupid, as well as kind of sick. I was having doubts about the new Republican Congress and these doubts are only getting stronger everyday. By summer Congress will be back to its usual old, rotten self. Bleh!

[MtnClimber]

I bet Bawney Fwank will try to cozy up to Lindsey Graham. Look for on TV action.

[digital-olive]

*comment reserved*

[Doob]

F this!
Just makes it look like a big Dog and Pony show.
Does this mean everyone will be given t-shirts and pom poms?
Another reason I would rather read about it and not watch!
Are we dumb or dumber?

[FlingWingFlyer]

This is some of the most childish bull**** that I have ever seen these buffoons try to pull off. We’ve got to try to get the adults back in charge of this country. First, we’re going to have to find some adults.

[Mike Darancette]

Let’s see what the unintended consequences are.

[haroldeveryman]

“Look for on TV action.”

Flawrence O’Donnell will be on hand for the blow by blow commentary.

[Carling]

I agree. This set up has the potential for some unprecedented candid shots of pols from both sides of the aisle.

I’ll let it play out before I get too upset about it. The Dems tend to shoot themselves in the foot in these ridiculously transparent public charades.

[Cobra64]

Can someone keep a list of Republicans' dates with the dems?

.

[Cobra64]

I sent emails to Boehner, DeMint and Pence stating that "they had better NOT allow Republicans to mingle with the Socialists."

I wish I could have embedded this in the message box to them:

.

[bronxville]

I can’t listen to him so won’t be watching - will perhaps take a peek and see if they’re paired off. It’s really embarrassing and a sure sign of weakness, eager to please and insecurity by the Repubs. Enough already.

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

"I sent emails to Boehner, DeMint and Pence stating that "they had better NOT allow Republicans to mingle with the Socialists."

So did I, at least to Bone-Head!

I warned him that he did so at his (and the Republican's) own peril and that "we" did not return the control back to the Republi-Tards to "Go along and git' along," but to fight "evil" tooth and nail.

I hinted that if the R's didn't take their duties/responsibilities seriously, that they would probably lose big time in 2012 as the Conservatives are giving them one "last" chance and if that were the case "we" would have no alternative than to start seriously looking toward a 3rd party.

Lastly I informed Johnny-Boy that I expected the "R's" to treat the "D's" EXACTLY as they had been treated for the past 4 years...no worst, but NO better!

[namvolunteer]

I promised my newly elected Congressman a primary opponent if he does this.

[ronnie raygun]

Did we not elect them to office stating there will be no compromises, that the American people reject thier direction, policies agenda and thier insidious way they have shoved these bills thru? If this happeneds they agree with thier agenda, thier policies and they have flipped us all the bird.

[Jerrybob]

i won’t be watching. i’ll be taking a major dump right about then. i can feel it coming....