Republicans seek coveted Benjamin Netanyahu speech tickets from boycotting Democrats

The Washington Times ^ | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | By Jacqueline Klimas

[Dave346]

Some Democrats may be boycotting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech Tuesday, but tickets for non-members to get in to see the affair are proving to be a very hot item.

Each member is allotted a ticket to give out for seating in the viewing galleries, similar to a State of the Union address, and they are so in demand that Republicans have pleaded with boycotting Democratic colleagues to share their extras.

“I could scalp that ticket, there are so many people who want it,” said Rep. Tim Walberg, Michigan Republican.

Support for Israel has become dominant within the GOP, and Republicans said their family, friends and constituents clamored to get in to see Mr. Netanyahu.

“Those are hot commodities. If you come across an extra one, let me know,” said Rep. Ted Yoho, Florida Republican.

He said he is bringing a constituent to the speech, but saw a high enough demand that he asked colleagues who aren’t attending if he could get one of their unused tickets. He wasn’t able to find any extras.

World leaders’ speeches to joint sessions of Congress don’t always draw such interest. Indeed, often the seats on the House floor have to be filled by pages or other staffers. But Mr. Netanyahu’s speech is likely to be well-attended, the public boycotts notwithstanding.

The public viewing galleries are likely to be just as packed.

Mr. Walberg is bringing the outgoing Republican party chairman of Michigan as his guest to the speech. He said he gave a ticket to an overflow room to a Jewish doctor who is a friend of his.

He too asked Democratic colleagues if he could have extra tickets, but they’d already given them away.

“If I could get more tickets I would get them,” he said. “They’ve all given them out.”

[Uversabound]

Dear Bray,

America is not waking. We speak to other Libertarians and Conservatives who agree for the most part. but the rest of America is believing the media and that is all they know.