Hey everyone,
I attended the hearing yesterday. It was more or less a last minute decision (as I didn't find out I'd be coming in later that day until the day before-my internship hours are more or less flexible at this point at least). The Rayburn House building where the hearing took place is literally a block and a half from our offices, so I thought, why not? :)
Just getting into the hearing was quite an experience in and of itself! There was actually a line (not completely surprising I suppose given the very high profile nature of this Committee-though yesterday was more or less organizational in nature, aside of course from the very important opening statements), one that strecthed all the way down the hallway! So I was not completely sure until lierally minutes before it began whether or not I'd even get in. Glad I got there about an hour early!
When I got there, waiting first in line was the male counterpart of Code Pink, who not so politely informed me that "yes, this is the line, but you have to get to the back of it!" I get that they wanted to be front in center--as always--but still! They were going to get in anyway, no matter what..why the attitude? Unless they thought I was press (I had my ID "necklace" on for my internship as I was going in to work right after the hearing). But still--rude, IMO!
That was a precursor of sorts to what was to come towards the middle of the hearing. When the hearing commenced, the members of Code Pink (and everyone there) were informed that they had to put down their signs, per House rules. it seems at some point as the proceedings got under way, they slipped outside and a full protest formed, which, as those of you who have already watched or heard about the hearing know, was loud enough to temporary interrupt the entire thing. The look on JK's face (one that appeared, to me at least, to be one of mixed surprise and amusement :)) as priceless! hehe :) It was also interesting how the clamor just happened to interrupt Republican Rep. Camp's statement, to the point where he conceeded to just issuing a print version of it onto his House website, rather than repeating it. But while I of course fully agree in regards to the need for "jobs now" and backlash to the GOP agenda, I'm not sure if the Code Pink approach is the way to go, but perhaps that's just my sour grapes from being snapped at (more or less) by one of its members beforehand, coupled with the fact that I heard one of them make not so nice jabs at JK before th hearing started (jibes about his 'yacht' and 'huge pension'..Freeper sounding much? HATE when fellow Progressives talk like them! *sigh*) Nevertheless, it was a moment!
All the Democrats on the panel gave great openings--most notably IMO Clyburn, Murray, Van Hollen) but the highlight for me of course was JK. :) Most of you have already seen his remarks I'm sure, but they were terrific--insightful, pragmatic, consistent, and on point, yet keeping true to our values as a party and the ones we need to reach for, as a nation. I especially appreciated the nod he gave to "the demands of history, the demands of the moment" and "bring the sick, the disabled, and the elderly" out of the shadows and adddressing education and the need not to "eat our seedcorn" (this, as I'm sure most of you have noticed, has been a theme of sorts for JK lately--he's referenced this line in all his recent MA townhalls. The girl next to me--a journalism student no less, from George Washington--smiled when he said it, so it must be getting through on some level! :)). But my favorite was his line of "not downsizing the American Dream". Perfect, with all the talk of cuts, cuts, cuts the Republicans have been doing. It was also great how he referred to the "mission", the "charge" this panel is faced with. It is clear that JK (though it should be no surprise!) appreciates the magnitude of this moment. I am both thrilled and relieved that he was chosen and look forward to seeing what he does with this. I just hope it will be appreciated!
Here are some pictures I took, courtesy of "my trusty Blackberry". :) I apologize in advance for the not-so-stellar quality of them-the lighting in the chamber was far better suited for C-Span!:
Note JK's expression in last pic-taken during protest! lol
Also as an aside, check out the awesome photo in the hallway of the office I'm working out of! ;):