Posted on 01/18/2019 7:36:47 PM PST by Kaslin
Two questions lead straight to an answer on the State of the Union standoff:
First, does a House Speaker have the right to ban a president from the House gallery? It would seem so.
Second, what has been the setting for some of President Trump’s most rousing and riveting connective moments? That would be at large rallies.
Boom. Problem solved.
State of the Union addresses have become predictable yawners for most except the political junkie community. It may be that the government shutdown has helped us realize that we’ll manage just fine with a written report, as was the habit for most of our nation’s first century.
But for this year, with the government shutdown battle lines drawn, Nancy Pelosi’s snub of Trump creates an opportunity that should not be missed. If the House will not have him, he should walk into the glorious environment that fueled his campaign and has enlivened his presidency: a stadium filled with thousands of cheering Americans.
If it can be logistically assembled by January 29, that date should feature the first-ever People’s State of the Union.
This moment of riveting political theater would be a study in contrasts. The usual State of the Union is delivered to the most exclusive of audiences; this one would be for all comers. As the president speaks, the norm is for roughly half of the room to applaud while the other half sits lifelessly; this crowd would roar with approval throughout. And usually, the State of the Union is a predictable litany of dry policy ideas mixed with well-worn platitudes. The People’s State of the Union would likely feature a blistering, relentless indictment of the Democrat Party’s failure to protect our borders.
What’s not to love?
Speaker Pelosi crafted an absurd excuse for sabotaging the address, citing security concerns that security officials instantly identified as fake. She lobbied for the speech to be delivered after the shutdown is resolved, knowing her party is losing the shutdown skirmish bit by bit with each passing day. It is obvious that while many conservatives find an instructive moment in government stoppages, they are positively gut-wrenching to liberals. Hence their constant (and empty) pledges to negotiate once the doors of government are re-opened.
Imagine the anticipation as the venue is selected and arrangements begin for the People’s State of the Union. Imagine the lines that night (or the day before) at whatever location is chosen. Imagine the gnashing of Democrat teeth as Pelosi’s “power play” morphs into yet another presidential PR slam-dunk.
I’ve been fortunate to attend a State of the Union or two, and it is heady stuff. The rarefied air of the surroundings, the security funnels necessary to reach the inner sanctum of the House gallery, the unique sensation of sitting in a room with a few hundred watching a speech consumed elsewhere by millions.
This would turn that entire spectacle on its head. Millions would still watch nationwide, but they would see a seething throng of Americans on hand to support a rare and precious sight: a Republican refusing to cave under pressure.
The Constitution requires only that the president give Congress information “from time to time.” The founders did not require a speech of any type. But since that’s the tradition we have established, let’s not dismantle it before one last chance to enjoy one for the ages.
I’ll leave it to talented organizers to assemble the program, choreograph the dignitaries and finalize arrangements, but there is just one vital suggestion I would contribute: a front row seat for the Speaker of the House.
Give her a seat in the cold, not worth discussing, refuse to deal with chuck and nancy until they are gone or we are
What?
I distinctively remember President Franklin going on ColonyNet to address the Union troops before Gettysburg!
... he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper...
Wow!!!
They'll carry if a 'secret' memo is 'leaked' that ASSURES massive PROTESTS will be taking place; with THOUSANDS of bussed in, sign carrying women and children!
Do you think an Antifa protester would show up at a State of the Union rally, KNOWING that they’d be surrounded by patriots and supporters of the President? With the mood we’re all in? The second any fool spoke up they’d (at best) be pummeled into unconsciousness before security could arrive.
“No, officer...I have no idea why his face is a bloodied pulp. I think he fell down. (to the crowd around them) Anyone see what happened?” (People all around shake their heads or shrug.)
Which is quite irrelevant.
I watched most of President Trump's rallies last year. Not even one of them did I watch on any TV network. This is not like when Reagan was President. Today, the networks don't really have any power to stop President Trump's message from getting out.
I love the idea of President Trump doing a yuge SOTU rally as only Trump can!
President Pence can send it over. :-)
“Nancy Pelosi’s snub of Trump creates an opportunity that should not be missed.”
I agree 100%. NP gave Trump a wonderful gift.
“it’s time for a written report, on the lines of, ‘All 50 states are still here,’”
He could do it via text message to all Congress Critters. Constitution doesn’t say how he has to provide the info, just that he has to “from time to time”.
Read Article 2 section 3 of the U.S. Constitution,President Trump can go and address the Congress of the United States under extraordinary circumstances,so he can order them to be there,it would not be called State Of The Union but who cares what it’s called
That would be very modern.
Would love to see them try to have the President ‘escorted” from the floor...any bets on whether his Secret Service contingent would win that confrontation?
ff
sure; standing up!
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