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Pelosi Shreds Decades Of Tradition In Demonstrating Against Trump
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This morning I have a column in the Hill newspaper on my reaction to the disgraceful conduct of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and various Democratic members at the State of the Union address last night. As I tweeted during the address, her conduct tore up more than a speech, but decades of tradition and left any semblance of civility in tatters on the House floor.

Forty-four years ago, I walked on to the floor of the House of Representatives as a new Democratic 15-year-old page from Chicago.  I stood and marveled at the beehive of activity on the floor in the People’s House. I can still remember that moment because it forged a bond and reverence that has never weakened for me.  As a Democratic leadership page during the speakership of Tip O’Neill, I watched some of the most passionate and important debates of the generation from the Neutron Bomb to civil rights legislation to sweeping national park bills.  The country was deeply divided, but both parties maintained the tradition of civility and decorum.  I was struck how members, even in the heat of furious debates, would not attack each other by name and followed rigid principles of decorum. They understood that they were the custodians of this institution and bore a duty to strengthen and pass along those traditions to the next generation.

That is why I was (and remain) so offended by this display. I believe that President Trump himself is worthy of criticism for not shaking the hand of Pelosi. I also did not approve of aspects of his speech, including bestowing the Medal of Freedom on Rush Limbaugh in the gallery like a reality show surprise scene. There was much to object to in the address, but presidents often make comments that enrage or irritate speakers.

However, none of that excuses Pelosi. At that moment, she represents the House as an institution — both Republicans and Democrats. Instead, she decided to become little more than a partisan troll from an elevated position. The protests of the Democratic members also reached a new low for the House. Pelosi did not gavel out the protest. She seemed to join it.

It was the tradition of the House that a speaker must remain in stone-faced neutrality no matter what comes off that podium. The tradition ended last night with one of the more shameful and inglorious moments of the House in its history. Rather than wait until she left the floor, she decided to demonstrate against the President as part of the State of the Union and from the Speaker’s chair. That made it a statement not of Pelosi but of the House.

For those of us who truly love the House as an institution, it was one of the lowest moments to unfold on the floor. That is why I argue in the Hill that, if Pelosi does not apologize and agree to honor the principle of neutrality and civility at the State of the Union, she should resign as speaker.

570 thoughts on “Pelosi Shreds Decades Of Tradition In Demonstrating Against Trump”

  1. PELOSI is A BITTER, NASTY, NUTTY, Angry LEADER – her actions were perhaps she is so Angry that Trump is so successful with the Economy and actual doing what he said he would do and shake up the Washington Elite who have been on a gravy train for decades. She is angry that Trump beat her and her stooge Schiff in a false made up impeachment, Trump is rising in the polls, Economy is doing very good, Trump is on his way to reelection. Pelosi due to poor leadership and do nothing House, may loose her Speakership or the radical left may vote her out. She should resign and retire go back to her dirty San Francisco or her Napa winery. You think she is Nutty now wait until Trump is reelected.

  2. “Pelosi does not apologize and agree to honor the principle of neutrality and civility at the State of the Union, she should resign as speaker.”

    Judging by the many replies by the crazy left here, I wouldn’t hold my breath. I used to think it was an exaggeration when people would say that the left hates this country. But, it seems harder and harder to not see them that way.

  3. Pelosi tore up our Constitution after SOTU
    Speech.
    She spat on the face of our military
    She spat on the face of hard working Americans.
    She spat on the face of our VETERANS.
    She spat on the face of that wonderful 100 year old.
    Etc Etc Etc.

    1. Ha. Word is Trump tears everything that crosses his desk up once he’s ‘read’ it.

      1. Elvis – I think they hired two people to tape those papers together. 🙂 Job security while Trump while is in office.

      2. “Ha. Word is Trump tears everything that crosses his desk up once he’s ‘read’ it.”

        Elvis, I find that comment thought provoking. I sometimes hear such a comment from those wishing to say something. Can you help provide us with any factual evidence that Trump tears everything that crosses his desk? My understanding is that at least some of the stuff are copies meant to be destroyed but I have never heard that he willfully destroys things that cannot be reproduced.

    2. Cindy Bragg – only the President’s garbage is a historical document. 😉

  6. A President who acts with civility toward his political opponents deserves the same in return. Obama certainly did. George W also.

    Perhaps Jonathan can take a look at Trump’s twitter feed – the name calling, the sexism, the outright lying about anything and everything – on any given day, and then lament the lack of decorum.

    1. Twitter’s one thing.

      But we’re talking about the Hall of the House of Representatives of all places,
      and an invited Guest,
      who is also the President of the United States.

      It was tasteless on so many levels. I don’t care who wins the next election – Sanders, Buttigieg, Biden, Warren, Trump – whoever. I expect the House to treat their guests better than this in the Hall – particularly when that guest is the President addressing the nation.

      1. – starting to see reactions from some of the other guests too – the ones mentioned in the address, and they seem to be taking it personally as well.

        One stated, “It feels like she ripped our hearts out…everybody there, all the guests – we were just, we… we couldn’t believe it.”

  7. It’s about time. Silence and inaction in the face of what is going on would be the real disgrace!

    1. Classy lady.

      Actually, that was a wish – unfulfilled.

      Ms. Pelosi, like so many Pinkos is a low class person with TDS.

      Reading the deranged responses here, I am struck by the anger and lack of rational analysis.

      The lefties commenting are angry, bitter, and unpleasant.

      Americans are fundamentally optimistic; I see little optimism in the Pinko comments here.

      Keep it up guys; great way to drive moderates to Trump.

  8. Jonathan Turley has exposed himself for what he is: a complete fraud and a stooge for the hard right wing. It was the Republicans who engaged in disgraceful conduct with their shouting in unison “four more years” for their impeached president.

  9. She ripped up, with intention and calmness, untruths, misrepresentations and half-stories.

    People are often complaining that the Dems have no gumption, are weak or otherwise spineless in contrast to the overt aggression displayed regularly by the GOP.

    Well, not this time. May it spark more resistance to the constant destruction of democracy.

    2. More resistance you want? President Trump has not had one day since his election without experiencing overt resistance from the Democratic never-ending lies, leaks and fabricated stories that were ALL proven to be untrue especially the Russian collusion and the Ukraine hoax. His fortitude is unbelievable, because no other person on earth would have/could have put up with such evil, hate-filled and repugnant treatment. That took guts and thankfully culminated in the glory of never-ending applause last night. The Dems on the other hand, and their maniacal women in white, who sat on their over-blown egos & rear ends had a lot of nerve protesting their unbelievable privilege of being there in the first place! What the hell is the matter with them? Hatred obviously, the extent of which was clearly demonstrated by their leader who should be immediately removed and committed for her unstable, irrational and immature mental state of mind.

  10. The President didn’t shake the VP’s hand either as his back was quickly turned. As for Mr. Limbaugh, he will be in treatment all week for stage 4 cancer. It may have been a now or never chance to bestow the medal upon him while he’s still living (praying that’s not the case). Did he know he was going to be honored? Probably. Did he know he’d be honored there? No way. His emotion was genuine. God Bless the USA.

  11. Again, indicative of the secular decline of the culture of our political class (which reflects that among the professional-managerial class generally). Look around you, professor, and compare the conduct of the people with whom you socialize to that of their counterparts 60 years ago. What we have in common is commonness.

    It would be agreeable if we could return to the practice followed from 1802 to 1912 and just have the President send over the SOTU by messenger. It would also be agreeable if the Speaker and the President pro tem of the Senate were elected from outside the chamber from the ranks of retired judges. Judges are repellent much of the time, but they do know ceremonial rubrics (which includes not tipping your hand).

    We have too much ceremonial with too little pageantry in this country. Another reason the monarchy should return.

  12. JT’s selective outrage needs no comment. He’s a GOP shill.

    Facts and the SOTU:

    1.3 million more new jobs during Obama’s last 35 months vs Trump’s first 35 months.

    Average GDP growth under Trump only .3% greater than Obama’s last term, now slowing and after a deficit busting tax cut. Promised 3% growth happened for one quarter, Obama had several.

    Crime rate among immigrants is lower than among ex-Trump executive employees.

    The “powerful” wall Mespo and TIA are paying for blew over in a recent storm and has removable panels in some sections at the bottom left out for months to allow for flash floods.

    Trump has done nothing about pre-existing conditions and there are at least 3 million fewer Americans without health care then when he took office.

    Like Trump, Limbaugh has never fought for freedom.

    2. 1.3 million more new jobs during Obama’s last 35 months vs Trump’s first 35 months.

      You really shouldn’t trust the people who e-mail you your talking points. The correct figure is 7.0 million v. 6.7 million. And the number is going to be lower because you’re nearer the upper limit of the population available for work. The number of employed persons approaches that upper limit asymptotically.

      1. DSS, Anon is not bright enough to understand this concept since he repeats the same stupidity over and over again. Try explaining the concept to him with words of 4 letters or less. That is a hard task even for a lexophile.

    3. Perhaps you’ve never heard the comment, the pen is mightier than the sword. Not everybody has to pick up a rifle in order to fight for freedom.
      For the record, average GDP growth for Obama was 1.5% over eight years. For Trump, it has been 2.9%.
      How about we discuss the crime rate amongst illegal immigrants. That number is significantly higher than the one you reference.

  13. Much respect to a nonpartisan man! I know there are good Liberals out there and you, sir, did and do not disappoint! I wish you were running for something.

  14. I agree but sadly won’t hold my breath for Pelosi to apologize. I wonder if a Democrat President giving the Medal of Freedom to an icon of his party would be viewed by you in a different light. Limbaugh is the voice of millions of us for the past 30 years. We are not ashamed of our President presenting him with honor in his darkest hour.

    1. Barack Obama gave the Medal of Freedom to Mary Robinson, Angela Merkel, Jean Kennedy Smith, Joseph Lowery, and Gloria Steinem. Bill Clinton handed one out to Marian Wright Edelman.

      1. DSS – Barack Obama gave the Medal of Freedom to Barack Obama. He had Creepy Joe put it on him. He had already given Creepy Joe the Medal of Freedom.

        1. That was just gross. The president (Obama) gave a Medal of Freedom to his Veep for doing his job! And then president (Obama) gets medals and awards for doing his job! It was a disgusting display of misplaced entitlement — for simply doing ones job! While also taking full advantage of all the perks that came with it. Investigate Joe Biden’s family corruption!!

    1. Please be specific; you may loathe the man but his policies on behalf of the American people are a matter of record.

      1. Start with two…

        Trump saying he’s protecting pre-existing conditions while his administration is in court trying to take them out.

        And Trump’s touting his job growth record when his first 3 years are slower than Obama’s last 3.

        1. Trump saying he’s protecting pre-existing conditions while his administration is in court trying to take them out.

          I see you use the same talking point mill as Gainesville.

  16. The woman tried to unConstitutionally impeach him. I wouldn’t shake her hand either. Besides, she did not give him the traditional greeting for the President. And then she, a mother of five, joined the ranks of the whited-wearing Vestal Virgins. She deserves everything that is coming to her.

  17. Time to take a good hard look at yourself when you start exercising less self control than Donald Trump.

    What a fiasco.

  18. Good for her. The bloated fascist deserves no respect and the Senate is a bunch of cowards in handing what is left of America over to the fascists. His SOTU was full of lies, racism, and dog whistles. Rush Limburger, what a scum bag. Dying from lung cancer, som na nam.

  19. Shut up loser. Does your little mind remember that your hero Trump did not shake her hand? What crap you spew.

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