Has anyone ever "Heckled" the SOTU?

[RobertSeattle]

Just think of what would happen if someone had the guts to yell "Liar" or "Where are the WMD's?" loud enough to be heard on national TV during the SOTU. (Since I'm sure almost everyone attending is a dignatory or some kind, it sure would quite the career ender!)

[kentuck]

1. I think silence would be the most effective response...

No applause. Just sit stone silent while the Repubs are on their feet applauding. I would like to see that just one time.

[wuushew]

4. Laugh and applause tracks have been around since the 1950's

If that ever happens expect clever editing and artifical praise. Silence is not a weapon.

[IkeWarnedUs]

12. I disagree - silence will not be effective

If the media would talk about the silence, would show plenty of shots of Democrats with their arms folded while the Republicans applaud, if the Democrats would get sufficient air time afterward to explain their silence - then it would be effective.

Since none of that would happen, I would love to see the Democrats make noise. Chances are great Bush will tell some lies. I would love for Dems to yell "Liar" or "Prove it" when he does. Yell it loud enough for Bush's mike to pick it up and keep yelling it. That way it would have to get coverage.

Now, for my real fantasy - the Democrats make noise and Bush runs out of the chamber in tears because the big bad Democrats are picking on him.

[Zero Gravitas]

2. As far as I can remember

even the Repiglicans were at least minimally civil during Clinton's SOTU addresses. Although Clinton was a responsible leader and was legitimately elected to office (unlike *) I can't see the spineless Dems doing anything but applaud enthusiastically.

[morgan2]

3. it would be great

but anyone who did it would be ridiculed by the media. Think of the treatment Michael Moore got for his Oscar speech but magnified about a million times.

[laruemtt]

14. ridiculed would be the least of it -

they'd probably end up in camp x-ray for daring to diss the boy king

[TrogL]

5. I screamed at my TV a lot

but I don't think it was heard outside of a coupla blocks radius

[liberalmuse]

6. I recall some heckling in the 2001 SOTU...

Although it was not from Congress.

[zbdent]

7. I thought that the Repubs dissed Clinton in SOTU 1995

right after they "took" Congress "back".

I remember that there was one speech Clinton did where the Repubs didn't stand or applaud.

Yet, the neocon/freebles/dittododos had their boxers in a bunch when Hillary Clinton looked up at something during W's SOTU.

[wuushew]

8. You are correct

While the language was markedly centrist for Clinton, many Republicans were not appeased. They applauded wildly when Clinton hit their political hot buttons: smaller government, tax reductions, less bureaucracy. But they glowered or sat on their hands when he invoked his own – gun control; government programs that he believes work; his version of the crime bill, not theirs; his version of welfare reform, not theirs.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) summed up the partisanship when he said, "I have been to 15 of these and I haven't seen an occasion when one party was doing the applauding and the other was sitting on its hands. I think that bodes a very tough year ahead."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/states/stories/sou012595.htm

[zbdent]

9. Gracias, my friend.

I have always suspected that, I just didn't have the research put together to prove it.

I thank you again.

[Lefty48197]

10. I remember the Repugs hooting at Clinton one time

what a bunch of dickheads they are.

[Malva Zebrina]

11. How about if they all just do not show up?

and the whole left side of the aisle is blank and uninhabited?

[Timefortruth]

21. nice thought, but they can't do it.

There are very few of them with the courage of their convictions, on either side/

[frank frankly]

13. I sure as fuck will be screaming, debunking, and screaming

but oh how beautiful if one of our Congresspeople heckled!

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. And a big sign spread across the chairs that says "We're not here

because all you do is lie to the American people."

And if I was allowed to make the sign, and had total control, it would be "We're not here because all you do is lie to the American people you craven coward. If you're so tough, then why put protestors 6 blocks from you in "free speech" zones, you anti-Constitution idiot. And tell the truth for once in your life and resign, for God's sake."

[DonP]

15. It depends

Same ground rules for every SOTU speech.

A couple of things have been mentioned. The speech is live and can't be edited for laugh tracks applause etc. It's carried live, with no delay on too many different networks to screw with it.

I'm 57 and I can't recall a single instance of booing or heckling by either side for any reason.

Even the "public" gallery is carefully controlled and since 9/11 under tight security. It has always been an "invitation only" event.

It is traditional for the opposition to remain seated and not applaud duiring proposals of policy related issues.

Both sides of the aisle stand and applaud out of courtesy as the POTOS enter the chamber and as he leaves and for major points that are not in dispute vis a vis policy or are clearly non partisan.

You don't want pictures of anyone sitting on their hands if he announces a major spending proposal on AIIDS resreach, (whether he means it or not).

What always galls me is to see Democrats rushing up to Bush to get in the TV frame with him as he enters and shakes hands. Sheila Jackson Lee was always the first person to run up to him as he entered for the photo op and I never understood why.

There won't be any heckling or booing. It just ain't done.

[OneTwentyoNine]

17. I'd take hundreds outside--1,2,3,4 we don't want your F*&kin War!!! eom

[Poiuyt]

18. Congress should be like the British Parliament

Have you ever seen them on C-Span? It's a free for all!

[Dude_CalmDown]

23. "British Parliament is like congress with a 2 drink minimum."

-Robin Williams

[RamboLiberal]

19. I wish the Presidents had to go up to the Hill at least once a

month or more and that we had questions with all the heckling like Blair has to face in the Prime Minister's questions. Except most of our Dems wouldn't have the chutzpah. But you and bet the Repugs would've with Clinton.

That's one area I do admire about Blair, he's quick on his feet with retort.

[DemLikr]

20. God, that would be so amazingly gratifying...I would weep with joy

What a sham these events are.

[leftofthedial]

22. silence and refusing to stand

are about it in recent times I think.

Spitwads are right out.

Same with throwing rotten vegetables.

I think I might have heard hissing during a Clinton SOTU.

[DS1]

24. Hey, they did it in Death Race 2000, we're 4 years behind!

Wait, that was the State of the Race address :evilgrin:

[shanti]

25. turn your back

i would like to see someone do this during the SOTU address.

[pacifictiger]

26. I think classy silence

is more effective in the long run than bad manners. Ghandi is a good example of that. There is a time and place for effective, eloquent, forceful, verbal rebuttal. I suspect a lot of dems will not bother to show up anyway, but will watch on tv.