Posted on 01/19/2011 6:05:08 PM PST by jazusamo
The kumbaya quest for peace and love in American politics has hit a new low. Sen. Mark Udall, Colorado Democrat, has proposed that as a symbolic stab at the "nasty partisanship" in government, members of Congress should abjure the tradition of sitting in party blocks during the State of the Union address and instead intermingle. Perhaps they all should hold hands while the president is speaking too.
A letter to congressional leaders signed by proponents of this exercise in musical chairs claims, "the choreographed standing and clapping of one side of the room - while the other side sits - is unbecoming of a serious institution. And the message that it sends is that even on a night when the president is addressing the entire nation, we in Congress cannot sit as one, but must be divided as two." Mr. Udall is clearly focused on the wrong problem. Presumably orgiastic clapping, not sitting stonefaced, is what offends the seriousness of the august institution.
~snip~
The congressional love letter states, "There is no rule or reason that on this night we should emphasize divided government, separated by party, instead of being seen united as a country." But while Mr. Obama is addressing the entire nation, he will be presenting his personal, partisan views. The State of the Union address is not simply an annual status report, it's a major political event where presidents establish their agenda for the year. Nothing about it is bipartisan, and it is an appropriate time to call attention to the robust differences of opinion that exist in America over public policy.
Mixing up the seating arrangements in the congressional chamber will simply reduce the State of the Union to the level of another pro-Barack pep rally, minus the "Together We Thrive" T-shirts.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Isn’t it odd how this idea never came up when the Dems had the majority?
An excellent criticism of the SOTU gaiety that lies ahead.
Look at the bright side... Now, if someone rightly yells out and calls him a liar, we won’t know right away which party it came from.
Other than that, this has to be one of the dumbest stunts I’ve ever heard of. I can’t believe the Rs are taking the bait on this... Well, yeah I can. You’d think we have a bunch of stupid teens in charge up there.
I hear you. This kind of stuff is so ridiculous that 10 or 20 years ago these idiots would have been laughed out of town and now way too many take them seriously. Hopefully it’s not too late.
The difference is that after this election the RATs need to hide how big their loss was, especially in the House. It's all a sham.
bump
If more than a very few RINOs fall for this we're in big trouble.
Now the sitting GOPers will be getting to view the 6 of the ‘rat in front of them. I say let the ‘rats sit in the back of the bus.
If the Dems should regain control in ‘12 I bet this idea goes away immediately. As Rush said, the Republicans will be lucky if the Democrats even let them in the chamber.
I would love it if Boehner or one of the GOP leaders were to say we now say NO to this silly sitting together idea after we were called nazis by Rep Steve Cohen.
That works for me, big time!
Unfortunately the Repups appear to be ready to repeat the follies of 1995; timidity and symbolic gestures in place of the kind of bare nuckle confrontation with the rat party that is required. The new Speaker has pretty much indicated that todays vote on Obama Care is as far as he will go. No strategy to attach the same verbiage to EVERY major bill that goes forward. Also talk of defunding major fed programs has gone silent. OIn top of this the Tea Party movement (at least in SE Louisiana) has gone into pretty near comatose state since Nov. Leading one to conclude it was financed as a Repub vote getting vehicle and much of its leadership have their direction to shut up until 2012. I hope i am wrong but I have seen the Repubs punk out over and over again. They simply don’t have the mindset for what amounts to a war without the shooting that the Dems fully grasp as the nature of politics. One has to have a very strong set of philosophical values and a steel gut to avoid being coopted by the inside the Beltway moral vortex. How many of these folks really have that kind of iron will is problematicIf the class of 2010 becomes another bunch of slubs as in 1995 there will be real h-ll to pay with the voters who sent them to DC to fight the rats and not make nice. Readers please share your thoughts on this.
Unfortunately the Repups appear to be ready to repeat the follies of 1995; timidity and symbolic gestures in place of the kind of bare nuckle confrontation with the rat party that is required. The new Speaker has pretty much indicated that todays vote on Obama Care is as far as he will go. No strategy to attach the same verbiage to EVERY major bill that goes forward. Also talk of defunding major fed programs has gone silent. OIn top of this the Tea Party movement (at least in SE Louisiana) has gone into pretty near comatose state since Nov. Leading one to conclude it was financed as a Repub vote getting vehicle and much of its leadership have their direction to shut up until 2012. I hope i am wrong but I have seen the Repubs punk out over and over again. They simply don’t have the mindset for what amounts to a war without the shooting that the Dems fully grasp as the nature of politics. One has to have a very strong set of philosophical values and a steel gut to avoid being coopted by the inside the Beltway moral vortex. How many of these folks really have that kind of iron will is problematicIf the class of 2010 becomes another bunch of slubs as in 1995 there will be real h-ll to pay with the voters who sent them to DC to fight the rats and not make nice. Readers please share your thoughts on this.
Rearranging the chairs...
This is scheme to prevent a mass GOP walkout, I think. With some SCOTUS stating they’ll skip the SOTU address the RATS are scared silly that the GOP will walk out on the whole thing.
It is nauseating, and I won’t be watching. Republicans are fools to go along with this.
[I would love it if Boehner or one of the GOP leaders were to say we now say NO to this silly sitting together idea after we were called nazis by Rep Steve Cohen.]
That, my FRiend, is an excellent idea. It is genius political strategy, which is why the Rs will never do it!
Exactly, they are in effect hiding behind the Republicans.
Another thought is maybe they are concealing themselves in case another mad dog liberal comes in gunning for them.
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