Effort To Blur Party Lines At State Of The Union Gaining Momentum

This is a bullshit ploy to minimize the appearance of disagreement with obama. If you notice, the senate "republicans" who have signed on to this are the usual suspects. Murkowski, McCain, Snowe, Collins, and Ayotte need to do the right thing and switch parties. They already vote with the democrats most of the time anyway. At least then there wouldn't be any confusion about where they really stand.

The House Republicans are standing together, except for kevin mccarthy. Good for them. Let obama take the criticism like every other president has to do. Maybe the visual effect of half of the building not cheering his every word will show him the true picture, but I doubt it. He doesn't care anyway...

by Autria Thuman - FoxNews

A proposal by Senator Mark Udall, D-Colo., for bipartisan seating during the annual State of Union address is picking up support. The plan, that would sit Republicans, Democrats, and Independents should-to-shoulder during the President's address, is getting the thumbs up from both sides of the aisle and even right down the middle.

Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and a host of other Democratic and Republican Senators have signed on to the effort.

Several House members, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Texas, agree with the plan too, though McCarthy hasn't formally signed the letter.

In a long-standing tradition during the president's speech to the joint session of Congress, party lines are literally drawn right down the House Chamber's center aisle with Republicans sitting on one side of the speaker's podium and Democrats on the other. However, with no actual rules stipulating who sits where, it's completely up to members whether or not they integrate the two sides.

Amid criticism of amped-up, partisan rhetoric, Senator Udall says his proposal is an opportunity to bring civility back to politics. In a letter addressed to leaders of the House and the Senate, Udall writes, "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. We believe that it is not only possible, but that it is something that nearly all members of Congress truly desire. To that end, we suggest setting a small, but important, new tradition in American politics."

Echoing President obama's comments during the memorial service in Tucson, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs agreed that the symbolic gesture of unity could go far. "Maybe not having a physical aisle separate us is -- would be a good thing as we talk about the state of our union," Gibbs said Thursday.

Senator Udall only has a couple of weeks to get more members on board. President obama's State of Union Address will be given Jan. 25.

According to Udall's office, the following Senators have formally signed on to the bipartisan seating plan:

Democrats:

Shaheen Wyden Lieberman Begich Boxer McCaskill Nelson Landrieu Reed Gillibrand Whitehouse Klobuchar

Republicans:

Murkowski McCain Snowe Collins Ayotte

As well as the following House Members:

Democrats:

Michaud Shuler Ross Matheson Pingree Bishop

Republicans:

Though no House Republicans have formally signed on, Rep. Kevin McCarthy has said he supports the idea.