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.
You guys do know that inappropriate behavior and agitation are symptoms of senile dementia, don’t you. All that talking to herself, and the weird facial thingies. Just acting like a child. Those are symptoms of senile dementia. I think Nancy Pelosi is therefore the perfect leader for the Democratic Party! Her and Creaky Joe Biden, and cranky old Uncle Bernie.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Censure is demanded for Pelosi. Despicable act she performed in Front of the world at a solemn tradition in america.
that was like tearing up a treaty. she’s thrown down the gauntlet. i think this will all get hotter through the end of the year
“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.”
Thank you Prof. J. Turley. This conduct you observed and wrote about is the way of the future, I hope! Because this country cannot endure another Civil War!
Excellent commentary. I especially appreciate your comments regarding the non partisan nature of her position as Speaker representing both the Democratic and Republican members and the need to honor the principle of the tradition of civility and neutrality. She owes the nation an apology for her immature and disgusting theatrical tantrum. She and her cohorts have reached an all time low.
She should have stamped her feet on the floor and screeched like a moonbat.
Make America laugh again democrats because all of those with above room temp IQ now know that you hate this country and intend to burn it all down.
Sit down Trumpanzees
Respect is EARNED….when Orange Troglodyte starts acting presidential then you’ll be taken seriously
Now….as Joe Wilson would say….YOU LIE!!!!
Stephane Gaudette. Etes vous Quebecois? If so then butt out of the conversation. Solve your own provincial issues.
Wilson was rebuked you twit. Officially. Pelosi should be censured. You ought to read more and blather less. You no little of respect either.
Nancy and many others haven’t earned a smidgeon of respect. she has been the worst house speaker in my lifetime (Boehner and Ryan are right down there too) She has the self control of a five year old and her tantrums are very unbecoming of a house speaker. She should have never been speaker and after November elections, she will be out as speaker. The President is doing a great job despite the infantile “resistance” of the hapless dumbocRats. Schiff and his manufactured scandals need to go away and allow the American people to have the government work as it was designed. You, Stephane, have it bassackwards. That’s what happens from too much MSLSD & CNN !
There are MANY reasons why Pelosi should resign. But none will be enough to convince her to do the right thing.
Like what, jumping off the Tallahatchee bridge?
who sent 300,000 yankees not rich enough to evade the draft t
There were only about 10,000 actual conscripts in the Union Army. The vast majority of those processed under the 1863 conscription law either paid the full bounty or paid a half-bounty and recruited a substitute. Very few in the Union Army were aught but volunteers or recruited substitutes.
x
who sent 300,000 yankees not rich enough to evade the draft t
There were only about 10,000 actual conscripts in the Union Army. The vast majority of those processed under the 1863 conscription law either paid the full bounty or paid a half-bounty and recruited a substitute. Very few in the Union Army were aught but volunteers or recruited substitutes.
um what’s your point? I’m not sure you are disagreeing or just citing statistics that actually make the point.
the Enrollment act was unpopular and you could buy your way out by paying $300 or hiring a sub.
Now let’s understand what $300 was back in them days.
at the rate of $20 for one ounce of gold– that was the exchange back then, set by law– how much did that cost, measured in today’s price of gold?
20 goes into 300 15 times
15 times today’s price of gold around 1500 = $22,500
how many americans today would be able to buy themselves out of service with a bounty like that?
this is why they called it “rich man’s war, poor man’s fight”
here let me answer that
28% of americans don’t even keep anything not even $300 in savings in today’s money. let alone the old dollars worth 1/20 an ounce of gold
https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/financial-security-june-2019/
Just confirmed that she is classless. She and her groupies, and Hillary, should take a course in how to lose graciously. But I doubt they have the mentality.
She should have applied the Joe Wilson model
Stand up and yell YOU LIE!!!
Jonathan: You are all worked up because Speaker Pelosi tore up a copy of Trump’s State of the Union speech and ignored “decades of tradition and left any semblance of civility in tatters…” You think she should apologize or resign. It started,of course, when Trump also ignored “decades of tradition” by refusing to shake the Speaker’s hand. You seem to think “civility” runs in only one direction. Trump turned his back on “civility” as soon as he took office. He has continued to attack leaders and other members of the House with personal and demeaning terms. He has called Pelosi “Crazy Nancy” and has refused to meet with her since last October. On January 25, just before his lawyers began their defense in the Senate trial, Trump tweeted: “Our case against lyin’, cheatin’, liddle’ Adam Shifty Schiff, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, Nervous Nancy Pelosi, their leader, dumb as a rock AOC,…”. Hardly the “civility” you would expect from a President of the United States. Can you remember any time when Obama used such demeaning terms to refer to members of Congress? Trump has just one rule: Either you are loyal to me or you are my enemy. His vengeance knows no limits, Just ask Michael Cohen or John Bolton. Maybe Trump should lead by apologizing to the Speaker…and maybe she will return the gesture. But I’m not sanguine this will happen anytime soon. Trump never apologizes for anything!
Dennis…remember during on one of Obama’s SOTU when Joe Wilson yelled…You lie!!!
Pepperidge farms remembers
Various people called Trump racist, *only* because he won the GOP nomination in 2016 and took on their “queen”, #TreasonousHillary. Show me the civility in that.
You do realize that the Demobrats in Congress and within the DNC leadership have been planning to block him from the White House, and failing that, remove him from office by any means necessary, right? They’ve been at it since his first day of running for office. Now, where’s the civility there?
He still has not had any due process during this “impeachment” saga. Where’s the civility there?
They had every opportunity to be *civilized* opponents, but what do you expect to happen when someone has been smeared by the House Squeaker, Adam “Bull” Schiff, Schuck Schumer, and the #FakeNews corps? An ordinary man would be even more savage than the president in a similar situation, and rightful so. Don’t forget – Jonathan Turley called the “impeachment” saga what it really is: a sham.
False accusations were made, and you want to talk about civility. Please.
Real leaders stand up for themselves. People like you call it bullying, while the real bullies believe they get to do whatever they want without ANY pushback. That attitude has been challenged in 2015, and shot down on November 8, 2016.
You should have heard several people call into C-SPAN to say they will NEVER vote Demobrat again, not after the House Squeaker’s antics last night. They know all about civility.
And one other thing. . . Rule #6 – never apologize, it’s a sign of weakness. The president gets it, soy boy beta chumps don’t.
I agree with you. Nancy Pelosi should apologize to all USA citizens, or step down as House Speaker.
We’ll wait till Trump apologizes to the thousands he insulted first
Respect is EARNED
No, the #FakeNews corps smeared him first. Demobrat politicians smeared him first. Yes, they called him a racist with NO proof. They even insulted the intelligence of people like me because we stand up for our country while they won’t.
Trump EARNED my respect, the Don Lemons and Nancy Pelosis of the world never will get that.
She knows that she will leave the Office as one of the most disgraced Speakers in modern history. And guess what her reply to the Americans she was supposed to server will be? Perhaps a single middle finger.
She is so manipulative she outmaneuvered her own self and became a national disgrace. Good for you nancy!
You do know that Trump is the president right?
You do know he made fun of a paraplegic right?
Shouldn’t you be commenting on Huffington Post ?
Stephane…….That was before he was elected President……..before he was even the nominee.
Cindy, the story about making fun of a paraplegic was a lie. Trump’s statement and actions had nothing to do with the unfortunate girl’s illness.
Stephane is promoting fractured fairytales like she has done before. Trump’s statement abridged and taken out of context can make foolish people say things like that.
Allan……thank you for telling me!
Are you excusing the fact that the president, as a guest, refused to shake the speaker’s hand? Somehow that lack of civility and decorum escapes your ire and you instead focus on the speaker’s action. That is a double standard. The fact is that the speaker engaged in a time-honored tradition known as peaceful protest. That shows more American value than what the president put us through last night. Sure, the president did some things that are distasteful to some, and you mentioned them, however his self agrandissement, and outright fables is the true a front to the citizens and the constitutional office that he holds.
There is nothing disrespectful about tearing Up the manifesto of lies; the insult was the president’s action to the people.
You are overlooking the FACT that as Speaker of the House she failed to introduce him properly – check that out!
I guess he refused to shake the VP’s hand also selective viewer.
She is certain (to) she will lose the speaker ship after this years election. She doesn’t care what damage she does to the Seat, the Country or the people. Or even the remaining few that look up to her (if there are any).
She tried to tell the fools impeachment was a bad idea. But she knuckled under to the radical fools. It will be her postscript that this was a very dumb choice.
If the dems had the least bit of intelligence they would immediately ask Nancy for her resignation and if she refuses then they should recall her in the harshest of tones.
What would really be funny is if we find out Trump actually gave her a copy of the articles of impeachment instead of his speech.