January 16th, 2011
11:05 AM ET
12 years ago
Top senators to sit together at 'State of the Union' address
WASHINGTON (CNN) - In a symbolic gesture toward more civil political discourse, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer and Republican Sen. Tom Coburn said Sunday that they will sit together at the upcoming State of the Union address.
Appearing on the NBC program "Meet the Press," Schumer and Coburn called for political debate based on issues and ideology, rather than motives and personal attacks, in the aftermath of the Tucson, Arizona, shootings last week that killed six people and critically injured a Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
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Oh goodie. The Senate is going for comity. Yipe. The fact is that next week, the entire legislative effort will be to stop all Obamasocialist nonsense and not sit by each other and sing Amazing Grace. This stunt will dilute the power and Nov. 2 election of House Reps. I want the public to see that Pubs won. Coburn disappoints me here since he is a smart righty. I can see McCain , Collins and the RINOS wussing out but Coburn is just inane doing this. Boehner , I hope, tells his House reps to sit where they usually sit and be tolerant but to show their unity.
Symbolism is nice, but a distraction. SUBSTANCE matters. Where were all the Democrats decrying Democrat Allan Grayson when he called Republicans the Taliban? Where were they when he said that Republicans wanted people to die quickly? The left has ALWAYS been the most uncivil debaters in this country. Witness the level and quality of posts here from people on the left. Most of it is hated filled diatribe.
Good idea - segregation at all levels needs to stop. No guns or knives are needed for this country to function. But intelligence and caring ARE needed.
Just a political show, we all know that both parties would just rather sit next to people that they agree with. There is safety and numbers, and clapping and booing is much easier to do when everyone else around you is doing it too.
They will sit together but they won’t work together
Not sure why they sat separately anyway. If you only sit with your "own kind" you will never be willing to reach across to someone who is different than you.
They should be able to sit where they want and not by party lines, especially when they debate and vote on bills!!!!!! Surprised the new GOP speaker of the house did not propose this since he is bringing such change. Glad to see change is now coming to Congress even if in very small steps across the aisle.
Why is such a big deal to sit together, congress is there to serve the people not to divide the people. The problem in our country is that political parties toes the place of people serving. The only way we can move farward in the future is that both party comes together and clear a pathway to success. So a beginning stage of coming together, might be a good start of making the people of America feels that both party are Atleast trying to work together to achieve senergy
I hope Louie Gomert does not sit next to a democrat.