Call your Senator/Congressperson..Walk out on Bush SOTU!

[Cascadian]

Mike Webb was mentioning this idea about having the Democrats to walk out on Bush's State of the Union address. He put that question to Washington State congressperson Jay Inslee (D) and he thinks we shouldn't. Well, Jay, why not? The Republicans are playing hardball and why shouldn't the Democrats? This is why people are turned off by the Democrats' timidness. You have to take the gloves off and it should start now!

Anybody with me on this?

John

[tedoll78]

1. YES.

They don't include us on bill negotiations anyway. I'd like this stunt, and it would definitely fire-up the base.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Has the potencial to back fire

though it woudl fire the base

Could backfire due to lack of respect for the OFFICE, not BUSH, just the office and this is perception purely

[rumguy]

13. I agree, it could backfire...I'm sure they won't do it

[w13rd0]

3. Turn their backs on him...

...or find some way of conveying that everything out of his mouth is lies.

His last SOTU was filled with lies, why should we believe this one won't be?

[Cascadian]

7. Does anybody remember that Australian member of parliament?

I wished somebody in Congress would just heckle Bush just like the Australian MP (what was name?) that shouted Bush down in the Australian parliament.


John

[Newsjock]

4. ... or slow-clap him

He probably wouldn't even know what it means.

[AromaticSocks]

5. What a wonderful idea

I'm sure the middle and undecided voters will take the side of the ones who walk out.

[FDRrocks]

14. And I'm sure it won't matter to you...

If you get my drift..... nice posts you have made here.

[AromaticSocks]

18. I get your drift

I am for a positive platform to regain control. You are on a self-destruct path to obscurity and ruin.

[DRoseDARs]

6. Not if they go about it half-assed

If they were to stage a walkout during the SOTU address, they'd have to lay ALL of the grievances on the table. Everything that Bush and his ilk have done need to be called openly into question. If all they say is to the effect "We're not happy about this speech, so we're going over here to pout" then there isn't any point in drawing attention to such an eyebrow-raising act.

[Dookus]

8. it's a terrible idea

and would backfire horribly against the Democrats.

You want to ensure four more years of Bush and a filibuster-proof majority for republicans in the Senate? Then do this.

[Cascadian]

9. What do you suggest we do?

I am tired of the Democrats "going along to get along" or not doing a blasted thing to stand up to Bush! JUST SICK OF IT ALL!!!





John

[Dookus]

10. I suggest we defeat Bush at the ballot box....

And again, this is just a godawful idea.

[Cascadian]

11. So they should still clap and stand for Bush as well?

Complacency did not get the Republicans where they are. The Democrats must start playing dirty too.

John

[Dookus]

12. No... they don't.

If I wanted to be a member of a party that played dirty, I'd be a republican.

[Cascadian]

15. Your party is getting it's butt kicked.

Look at 2002 and some of the local/state elections around the country and tell me it isn't so. This play it safe attitude is going to kill off the Democratic Party.

John

[DRoseDARs]

16. B!tch now or forever regret that you hadn't...

;)

[Dookus]

17. gain a little perspective....

we won three presidential elections in a row. The balance in both the senate and the house is rather tight.

The world is not ending, and the Democratic party is not dying.

And if you think we lost some seats in 2002 because we weren't rude enough to the President during a national speech, I think you're mistaken.

[are_we_united_yet]

19. Assuming the ballot box

aint rigged

[IkeWarnedUs]

20. I like the sentiment John, but not the method

If the press would cover the Democrats who walked out - give them a forum to express themselves outside the hall - I think it would be great. But we know all the talking heads would say exactly what Rove wants them to say about it and the walkout would be spun like a child's top. And the only place the Dem's would have to tell their side is Indymedia.

I would prefer if the Democrats would boo and heckle Bush during his speech. Not just sit on their hands or turn their backs to him, but really make some noise. Call him a liar or better yet, yell "Prove it" when he says something questionable. Maybe the 9/11 family groups could design some sort of button for them to wear demanding the White House cooperate with the investigations and have them chant "Tell us what you know" or something like that.

This way the media would have no choice but to cover it. They can't shut down the microphone or the country wouldn't hear the SOTU.

How's this for a little Saturday morning fantasy - Bush running out of the chamber crying because the big bad Democrats are picking on him?

[UnityDem]

22. Booing no/how about instead

arms folded in unison
heads shaking back and forth in unison
this would show unity of our disagreement with the officeholder
whereas, booing and heckling can be spun as disrespecful toward the office.....simply silence shows respectful disagreement toward Bush and would be quite effective.....
to do this...we need the entire side of our aisle to agree...and, as we all know here...getting even 2 dems to agree is difficult on anything....so, no way this will happen...
....our dems will give some polite applause and a few standing ovations to show they are "patriotic".....same ole..same ole...

[jsw_81]

21. It could backfire

Remember when the Repubs wanted to walk out on Clinton's speeches? Most people, especially the moderate voters who will decide this election, will be turned off by such a stunt.