Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
In a recent letter addressed to Harry Reid, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and Nancy Pelosi, Colorado Senator Mark Udall proposed that Democrats and Republicans eschew their traditional left-right seating arrangement in the Congressional chamber on the night of the State of the Union Address and instead commingle as a mixed audience in a show of solidarity. Here's a portion of the letter:
We, the undersigned members of Congress, believe that partisan seating arrangements at State of the Union addresses serve to symbolize division instead of the common challenges we face in securing a strong future of the United States.
As we all know, the tenor and debate surrounding our politics has grown ever more corrosive – ignoring the fact that while we may take different positions, we all have the same interests. This departure from statesmanship and collegiality is fueled, in part, by continuous campaigns and divisive rhetoric. Political differences will always generate a healthy debate, but over time the dialogue has become more hateful and at times violent. But now the opportunity before us is to bring civility back to politics. It is important to show the nation that the most powerful deliberative bodies in the world can debate our differences with respect, honor and civility. It is not only possible, but it is something that nearly all members of Congress truly desire. To that end, we should set a small, but important, new tradition in American politics.
At the State of the Union address on January 25th, instead of sitting in our usual partisan divide, let us agree to have Democrats and Republicans sitting side by side throughout the chamber. Beyond custom, 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. 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 is 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.
On the night of the State of the Union address, House and Senate members from both parties ought to cross the aisle and sit together....
Color me cynical. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the Congress employing the standards of the Ricochet Code of Conduct in their dealings with one another. But the thing is, I -- as a spectator of the SOTU -- rather enjoy the spectacle of seeing the Congress divided into their partisan clusters. I appreciate being able to scan the audience easily for signs of displeasure among the left when the president discusses our continued involvement in Afghanistan or among the right when he brings up something dreadful like "our commitment to seeing the continued enactment of the health care legislation." The expressions, applause, occasional hoots and hollers and exclamations of 'you lie!' create a marvelous tableau that allows one to glean a sense of the current pulse of American politics.
But perhaps there's some merit to the proposal. The partisan in me finds Udall's proposal an entirely silly idea, but I'm willing to hear persuasive arguments to the contrary.
- Comment (14)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (2)
Comments :
Dec '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
Perhaps during this State of the Union, Democrats should sit with the Supreme Court and mouth, "That's not true", for the sake of civility.
Jul '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
This is just so when the Dems give their Standing O's for The One's points, they don't look like such a "Minority."
Dec '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
Sounds to me like the democrats are just embarrassed by their shrinking numbers.
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
Jaydee_007: This is just so when the Dems give their Standing O's for The One's points, they don't look like such a "Minority." · Jan 14 at 12:05pm
I hadn't thought of that.
I might have felt differently about the proposal if he would've included the suggestion that they all refrain from applause until after the address was finished. It would have made the Democrat portion of the audience seem less irritating than usual.
May '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
An empty gesture. If there was actual solidarity to show, as in after 9/11, then the act would have some meaning. In this case, it's a phony response to a phony issue. There is nothing special about now, as we come to see the events in Tuscon more clearly, so let's not add more political spin to a non-political tragedy.
The best way to demonstrate civility in political discourse is to discourse civilly. Stop trying to demonize opponents, and leave it at that.
Sep '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
As we all know, (red flag! we don't all know...) the tenor and debate surrounding our politics has grown ever more corrosive (wrong...since when?) – ignoring the fact that while we may take different positions, we all have the same interests. (um, not really, care to name these same interests?)
The Democrats are still trying to capitalize on this horrific tragedy!
In the interests of bipartisanship, I move that we have a co State of the Union speech jointly delivered by Obama and Boehner...
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
Franco:
In the interests of bipartisanship, I move that we have a co State of the Union speech jointly delivered by Obama and Boehner... · Jan 14 at 12:17pm
So long as we're in the mood to create a "new tradition in American politics," this seems like a good place to start!
May '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
Well, this might be a good idea for a kindergarten class but... Oh! you're talking about Congress! Yes, by all means separate the troublemakers and make them put their heads down on their desks for good measure.
In the mean time I'll be attending the State of the Sandbox Address.
Jul '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
G.A. Dean:
The best way to demonstrate civility in political discourse is to discourse civilly. Stop trying to demonize opponents, and leave it at that. · Jan 14 at 12:16pm
Unfortunately, unless (and until) the Democrats cease and desisit from defining Disagree as Hate this cannot happen.
Dec '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
I'd like to see one Congressman (I think West might be ornery enough to do this) offer to sit right in the middle of the Dems. Just one.
When they stand, he's sitting with his arms folded. When the GOP stands, he stands, alone.
Jun '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
Not such a bad idea, I for one would like to see them seated by state. It might help remind them they were sent to Washington to represent the views and interests of the voters of a specific geography rather than to join a national ruling class.
Jan '11
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
I don't think it's a totally bad idea. This way the TV cameramen wouldn't have the option of pointing at the Democratic side in order to give the impression that everybody is wildly enthusiastic about the speech.
Besides, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies - oops! I mean, your unfriends - closer still."
(Wouldn't want to get caught using any doubleplusungood words here.)
Dec '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
House Democrats took a beating last November shrinking their numbers to a significant minority. They blame Republicans for a mad man's killing spree last week in Arizona. Now they want to make a show of bipartisan good will. Let's all be nice and listen to the president tell us what we need to know. As Rodney said, "Can't we all just get along?"
Pardon me for being just a wee bit suspicious of the timing and the motivation. No, Rodney, we can't. The stakes are too high and we aren't even close to an agreement on anything.
Sep '10
Re: Sen. Mark Udall: Let's All Hold Hands and Sing Kumbaya
Diane I just listened to the podcast last night There is a good alternate title to this post..
I Can't Believe I'm Sitting Next to a Republican!