Calvin Coolidge Delivers State of the Union - image Silentcal.com
When the President addresses the nation in his State of the Union address tonight, journalist will be looking at every angle, as political junkies grab the popcorn and sit back and watch as the President must vie for attention with members of both Houses of Congress. The reason – bi-partisan seating – for the first time in recent history, members of the two major parties will sit together rather than in their usual along party lines arrangements. This has caused quite a stir among certain outlets: The Boston Herald‘sheadline reads: “Bipartisan buddy system in place for State of the Union”, giving the list of Senators and members of Congress who will be crossing the aisle tonight to sit in unison rather than by political party. The big question posed by this particular article? Does every member have a “date” for the “prom”, noting the event “is morphing into Washington’s most awkward date night. “ Members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation along with both Senators, have chosen to sit with members of the opposite “team”. The best quote of the article goes to MA2 District Representative, Richard Neal, who quipped: ”There are people that leave the prom and eventually marry,” Bay State Congressman Richard Neal said yesterday. “I’m not sure this is that case.”
Two of the Massachusetts Delegation will be going “stag”, McGovern (MA3) and Tsongas (MA5), although Tsongas intends to sit on the “Republican side” of the aisle. (Boston Herald). The Globe has written much the same article : “Brown to cross aisle for presidential address”, the first thing one sees directly below the headline is Representative Tsongas, with quotes from the 5th districts representative: “Niki Tsongas will attend the president’s speech alone. “Frankly,” she said. “I haven’t been looking for a date.” (Boston Globe)
The Washington Post, however, goes beyond date night and voices concerns regarding the mixed seating plans as it may skew the number of standing ovations that the President may receive – they worry that Democrat members of Congress may stand, while their Republican counterparts sit, which would, on the face of it, appear just as ridiculous as watching the usual sit and stand by party at every State of the Union, with the Post noting the number of occasions when both parties have risen in unison for a line in an address by President going back to 1978. A group pushing bi-partisanship, No Lables” is responsible for the count of State of the Union calisthenics, and just which President at which speech got bi-partisan standing “o’s” (Washington Post).
The question is does it really matter? The President will be giving a set speech regarding the State of the Union, one which, like every speech ever made by a sitting President, will contain some solemnity, some jokery and some partisanship, not always in equal measures. It is the time when those who actually watch (outside of the media, the aforementioned political junkies and those without any type of cable television) look for the subtle nuances of those standing behind the President, those sitting in front of the President, those who are in the reception line as the President enters and jockey for a pat on the back, regardless of party. It is always amusing to watch the alternate sides of the aisle bob up and down, and the Supreme Court, and the Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff (read about here), sitting by with little expression shown.
This year, will be different as the Supreme Court, according to differing accounts, some may or may not attend, specifically Chief Justice John Roberts who was, justifiably offended by the President’s remarks directed at the Court and by Justice Roberts specifically at the last State of the Union. (ABCNews). Therefore, it is unlikely Roberts will be in attendance. Also absent Scalia, who has no plans to attending, according to the blog “the Hill. Which of the justices will attend? It appears to be up in the air as of this moment, but a Washington Post article hints that it will be along ideological lines, yet does not name a “liberal justice attending” in their article: “Supreme Court Won’t be Fully Represented. One can assume that the newest Justices, Sotamayer and Kagan may attend however, that is not confirmed.
What about the content of the speech, does it matter? Apparently, only if it is rousing and partisan enough to cause a stand and sit circus, with the occasional pan of the camera at empty Supreme Court seats. What a shame really, the State of the Union in the opportunity for our President, regardless of party, to deliver what he or she (ever hopeful feminist), feels the country needs, or has accomplished within the past year. It is not so much a speech designed to be partisan rather than a speech designed to cheer on the populace that is supposed to be watching instead of reruns of Jerseylious which, from this perspective, can be equally entertaining, however, one can bet the house, this year’s State of the Union will offer just as much in the way of Reality Television than anything any network can dream up – Unfortunately. One Congressman, whose intentions were pure, no doubt, when suggesting that partisanship be put aside, and the aisle crossed, has turned this into a circus of sorts before the main event. It is a grand gesture, which should be embraced with solemnity and the duties of the office in mind, not the ‘party”, or in this case, “who or who does not have a date for the prom”. It is hoped therefore, that Obama comes out with a rousing State of the Union, keeps it short and to the point, offers a few quips and barbs, and, as his predecessors were all want to do: speak to the American people about what they may want to hear. One thing is certain, we live in a nation whereby the People (those who do watch) are treated to viewing all members of the government (sans a few Cabinet members missing in the event of a disaster), all branches, from the Legislative, to the Executive to the Judicial, in action (or non-action as the case may be. For those interested, the State of the Union will be carried by most major networks, C-Span (which gives the best views) and of course the Big Cable Networks that dominate optics: Fox, CNN and MSNBC, at 9 PM Eastern. One thing that can be said on a positive note: Only in America - which, the serious and the tom-foolery can be mixed in what is truly a nation governed by and for the people.
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