For Moderates, A Chance For Subtle Protest (WP - SOTU)

[VolcanoJen]

For me, the cutest part is where they call out Senators Voinovich and Dewine for being moderate. Oh, and the part where the writer refers to John McCain as "ever the maverick!"

Otherwise, a very good read... great body language and gallery-watching stuff in here, by Dana Milbank, no less!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59093-2005Feb2.html

Excerpt:

In a clear warning to Bush, several of the moderates took the latter course last night, with subtle but unmistakable protests as the president spoke.

<snip>

When the president made his pitch for restrictions on medical malpractice lawsuits, virtually the entire Republican caucus joined a standing ovation. But Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), who has labeled Bush's proposal "one of the worst bills in Congress," was virtually alone on the Republican side in remaining seated. Spotting Graham in his seat, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) slapped his colleague on the shoulder in a playful reprimand. Graham only smiled.

Others made their own silent statements. When Bush opened his speech with praise for "a free and sovereign Iraq," the Republican side erupted and waved ink-stained fingers, showing solidarity with Iraqis whose fingers were marked when they voted last week. But Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee (R-R.I.), struggled slowly to his feet and applauded half-heartedly; he has complained about a "whole host of mistakes" made by the administration in Iraq.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), ever the maverick, did not disappoint. When Bush repeated his vow to cut the budget deficit in half over five years, McCain, a deficit hawk who complains about "out of control" spending, seemed skeptical. He put down his pen and applauded politely; only after noticing that all those around him were standing did he whisper to his neighbor and climb to his feet. As Bush continued to speak of his fiscal discipline, McCain's applause was perfunctory. When the subject turned to tax reform, McCain and Graham, seated together, were the last to their feet.

[orthogonal]

1. Lindsey Graham's a good man

And apparently a brave man too.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

2. Kick!

This is a good start, but I can't help but wonder if a single one of them will actually oppose any of Bush**'s policies.

[Just Me]

3. This is the first SOTU I didn't watch in over twenty years.

I anticipated the usual lies, icons and double-think speech.

I've had quite enough and didn't want to waste my houseshoes, throwing them at the screen showing his face.

Instead, right before the SOTU, I did a "what if" thread on the possible responses that would make me jump for joy. Some posters offered great and humorous imagings.

[thebigidea]

4. this strikes me as seriously creepy, old school Pravda shit...

all must applaud fearless leader with vigor! any lack of applause will be noted.