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Note to Congress: When Obama speaks, hold the applause (barf alert)
http://www.csmonitor.com ^ | from the February 3, 2009 edition | By Thomas P. Thornton

Posted on 02/03/2009 8:49:14 AM PST by Lucky9teen

Baltimore, Md. - George W. Bush's last State of the Union message was interrupted with applause nearly 70 times. His speech was just 53 minutes long, which means clapping (much of it awkwardly partisan) halted proceedings every 45 seconds or so.

For Barack Obama, a rhetorical master in his presidential honeymoon, it should serve as impetus for change.

When he delivers his major speech to the joint session of Congress later this month, he has an excellent opportunity to restore dignity by actively discouraging superfluous applause. If he succeeds, he can stop this high-profile stage for the world's model for democracy from sinking into a Soviet-style sham.

It can and should be changed, and if a new precedent is to be set, the initiative must come from the president. It helps immensely that we now have a president with a sense of style as well as a self-confidence that seems to need minimal stroking.

Obama has pledged repeatedly to change the tone in Washington. His effort to promote a dignified atmosphere for his joint-session speech would go a long way toward doing just that. In addition to letting members of Congress know now, he could reiterate the request for minimal applause at the beginning of the speech.

If he feels compelled to follow recent tradition and introduce some notable figure in the audience, then let them be applauded. Otherwise, there are important things he needs to tell us in these difficult days and the 10 percent or more of the available time that otherwise gets devoted to applause can be put to much better use. Perhaps even for spelling out ideas and plans that will warrant one genuine and credible bout of "stormy, prolonged applause – all rise – and shouts." At the end of the speech.

(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: congress; obama; speech; stateofunion
Oh barf....
1 posted on 02/03/2009 8:49:14 AM PST by Lucky9teen
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To: Lucky9teen

“a rhetorical master”

bwa ha ha ha.


2 posted on 02/03/2009 8:51:33 AM PST by chuck_the_tv_out
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To: Lucky9teen

Translation. I’m an empty suit and distractions may cause me to loose my train of thought.


3 posted on 02/03/2009 8:52:16 AM PST by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: Lucky9teen

So many things to remember. When to clap, when to goose step, when to yell “Sieg Heil”.


4 posted on 02/03/2009 8:52:23 AM PST by albie
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To: chuck_the_tv_out
“a rhetorical master”

He's said to be a master debater

5 posted on 02/03/2009 8:53:00 AM PST by NeoCaveman (I'm a RINO, he's a RINO, wouldn't you like to be a RINO too...)
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To: NeoCaveman

He’s a master at everything even baiting a hook on a fishing boat. he’s a master baiter.


6 posted on 02/03/2009 8:56:59 AM PST by TheKidster (you can only trust government to grow, consolidate power and infringe upon your liberties.)
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To: NeoCaveman

Yeah, he’s also said to be a uniter.

He’s neither. Cocaine messes up the thinking pretty bad. They’ll keep him well away from anything unscripted.


7 posted on 02/03/2009 9:02:36 AM PST by chuck_the_tv_out
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To: Lucky9teen

This speech will simply be Obama back in campaign mode - making promises he will not keep or will use to bait and switch.


8 posted on 02/03/2009 9:04:17 AM PST by torchthemummy (My apologies if this post retreads on ground already covered!)
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To: Lucky9teen
The Libs don't like Soviet-style shams?! Wow! That is CHANGE!!! /s
9 posted on 02/03/2009 9:08:24 AM PST by Reaganesque
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To: Lucky9teen

Take away his freeky teleprompter and see how much of a rhetorical master that joker is.


10 posted on 02/03/2009 9:14:31 AM PST by FreeAtlanta (Join the Constitution Party)
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To: NeoCaveman

“that seems to seems to need minimal stroking”


11 posted on 02/03/2009 9:46:57 AM PST by Blue State Insurgent
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To: NeoCaveman

“He’s said to be a master debater”

And women like him because he can “turn a phrase”.

He’s a cunning linquist.


12 posted on 02/03/2009 10:09:19 AM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel
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