The Craziest Examples Of Congressional Theatrics (VIDEO)

Elyse Siegel contributed to this story

Just over twenty years ago, the cable industry launched the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network -- better known as C-SPAN. Among the network's achievements was its live broadcasts of legislative proceedings, allowing viewers to take a look at the governing process, to see how legislative sausage gets made, check up on their legislators' performances and stay abreast of key debates and votes.

It was a remarkable achievement in terms of transparency. However, there was a dark side to it all. Now, every single Congresscritter had a camera in the room and an unseen audience, beyond the governing chamber, to play to. And naturally, over time, they all basically became a gaggle of preening, self-obsessed jackasses.

This all reached its apotheosis this past weekend when Arizona Representative John Shadegg dragged a live baby into the chamber in order to make a melodramatic point about health care reform. Shadegg's presentation had no substantive impact on the debate, but then, that was never his attention -- he did what he did in order to grab a little attention from the media, who love themselves a good, substance-free, provocative stunt.

But while having a baby at the podium was certainly extreme, the truth is that Congress has been moving in the direction of being a quasi-governmental performance art space for a long time now, where it's becoming more and more normal -- perhaps even obligatory -- for your elected representatives to build props, wear costumes and come armed with idiotic charts to make their point. Which is that they often don't have a point, at all. But the camera eye loves the antics.

With the invaluable assistance of Elyse Siegel, we bring you our favorite examples of Congressional theatrics. Vote for your favorites! And if you've got a favorite of your own, send along an email!

John Shadegg Wields A Baby

In this past weekend's health care debate, Arizona Republican John Shadegg bravely opened a new frontier by using a live baby as a visual aid to complain about health care reform. The infant, Maddie, was introduced as Shadegg's grand-daughter, which Shadegg quickly corrected, saying, "I wish this was my granddaughter." I wish most Congresspersons demonstrated Maddie's level of cognitive development, but no!

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Comments

[sierraseven]

10:12 PM on 03/13/2010

OK, have we forgotten the classic years? Don Young (R-Alaska) with a leg-hold trap on his hand?

[Sherrie714]

04:23 PM on 11/12/2009

This is exactly why they need term limits.

[Desuka]

04:21 PM on 11/12/2009

I like how the baby is trying to move the microphone away from him as if it is trying to stop him from speaking lol.

[corps own america]

02:14 PM on 11/12/2009

Hey dumba55 conservati­ves, debt is debt. But I'd rather my tax dollars help our own than support some endless war.

[DeeDubya]

01:34 PM on 11/12/2009

I'm sure the rest of the world views us as one big joke.

[x2zero]

01:19 PM on 11/12/2009

"Every country has the government it deserves"

[charleshugh]

01:18 PM on 11/12/2009

The congressme­n were simply introducin­g the people who would be paying for Obamacare.

[northstar11]

01:40 PM on 11/12/2009

or bushes tax cuts and bailouts and wars

[Iamcool1]

01:07 PM on 11/12/2009

Looks like the little girl does not what him to talk about health care!!!

[northstar11]

12:14 PM on 11/12/2009

most parliament­s are allowed NO PROPS.

these antics make a mockery of the legislatur­e.

[takeyourballandgohome]

11:50 AM on 11/12/2009

Where is the Labor Department­?

Try bringing your baby to work, let's say a retail store, lots of other people, and walking around with him in your arms even for a short time?

No can DO!!!! This is outrageous and AGAINST THE LAW?

What Mother would allow such exploitati­on of their child? you ask? One that fears for her job, that's who....so add on sexual harrassmen­t on the job!

[cognitivereddawn]

10:54 AM on 11/12/2009

Did little Matty work for, choose, & pay for her health care? Remember, Arizona's Kyl wanted to remove all maternity care from the Senate's health bill. What does Matty say about Kyl?

[editor]

10:51 AM on 11/12/2009

I was really hoping the little kid would squirt some trickle into Shadeggs face.....

[cognitivereddawn]

10:49 AM on 11/12/2009

Arizonans have continuous­ly apologizes for McCain & Kyl & now we have to apologize for Shadeeg & Trent. Christ.

[EBrock]

10:48 AM on 11/12/2009

Did we overlook Rep Pete Stark also bringing in his children during the same meeting as Shadegg.?

Where have I seen this reprehensi­ble behavior before-- oh, yeah, right here on HuffPost with those sad Internatio­nal Day of Climate Action "adorable photos of children".

Further proof that both sides of the political spectrum are equally guilty of peddling children for their personal & political agendas.

[annie g]

08:46 AM on 11/12/2009

I would like to know how the mother of this child would allow Shadegg to use her baby.
It is nice to know that the Republican­s are laughing over such a serious agenda as healthcare reform. But then again they always seem to reach a new low--this time with babies.