Joe Wilson To Sit With Democrats At State Of The Union

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), the infamous "you lie" heckler, announced Monday that he'll be joining a number of representatives in taking up a bipartisan seating chart at the State of the Union address.

"Honored to be sitting besides two fellow HASC members at tomorrow night's SOTU, Susan Davis (CA-53) and Madeleine Bordallo of Guam," Wilson wrote on Twitter, referring to two Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee.

Wilson's office later confirmed his State of the Union plans to CNN.

Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) earlier this month proposed the idea in the wake of the shooting in Tucson, Ariz., to demonstrate commitment to reversing the kinds of divisive political tendencies that many believed had played some part in the violence.

"At the State of the Union address, on January 25th, instead of sitting in our usual partisan divide, let us agree to have Democrats and Republicans sitting side by side throughout the chamber," Udall wrote. "Beyond custom, there is no rule or reason that on this night we should emphasize divided government, separated by party, instead of being seen united as a country. The choreographed standing and clapping of one side of the room - while the other side sits - is unbecoming of a serious institution. And the message that it sends is that even on a night when the President is addressing the entire nation, we in Congress cannot sit as one, but must be divided as two."

So far, more than 60 legislators have agreed to change seats in order to take part in the demonstration of unity.

Comments

[KOisGod]

05:32 PM on 01/25/2011

Will he be wearing an electric shock collar?

[FreewheelinFranklin]

02:07 PM on 01/25/2011

Weiner and King together?
Gee Ollie....now Stanley!

[boyer37212]

01:10 PM on 01/25/2011

I think this what you call a political "reach-around."

[gypsysailor]

12:46 PM on 01/25/2011

There should be empty seats on either side of this guy as well as in front and in back. He needs to stand alone in the spotlight.

[nothingchanges]

12:20 PM on 01/25/2011

"The kiss of death" originally referred to Judas's method of betraying his master in the Garden of Gethsemane

It would be well for all of us to remember that the motivations for acts can be entirely opposite of the acts themselves.

[TeeSC]

12:17 PM on 01/26/2011

So true.  Well said.

[6465billy]

12:10 PM on 01/25/2011

This is a sign of weaknesss when you have an enemy down do NOT let him up. We Republicans won fair and square in Nov. and there is NO reason whatsoever that we let the Dem. have any victory. Payback is hell.

[Dave A]

12:43 PM on 01/25/2011

Gee, what a lovely and sweet person you must be.
Enjoy the kool-aid and hugs and kisses

[MTmel]

12:50 PM on 01/25/2011

I can't help but wonder how you would be feeling right now if one of your loved ones had been gunned down in cold blood while paying a visit to your local Representative on a lovely Saturday morning.

[inkhosi]

11:52 AM on 01/25/2011

Once it's over someone should just lean over and shout in his ear really loud, "YOU LIE!"

[liberalandloveit]

11:51 AM on 01/25/2011

'You lie' senator to give Dems a reach around at the state of the union address.

[DUSAA-1775]

12:48 PM on 01/25/2011

I am sorry...what senator are you talking bout?

[halfpricefaustian]

11:47 AM on 01/25/2011

Why am I not surprised that after passing a pointless attempt to repeal HCR and a deficit reduction bill without any cuts, the Republicans are getting into this sophomoric seating arrangement issue? Oh, yeah, becuase it is more pointless grandstanding.

[DUSAA-1775]

12:47 PM on 01/25/2011

are you talking about the pointless seating that was proposed by a democrat ?

[TeeSC]

12:19 PM on 01/26/2011

Really halfprice... you need to be a little more informed.  A Democrat proposed the seating changes.  What say you now?

[liberalOrgonian]

11:26 AM on 01/25/2011

Do you think Joe, You Lie, Wilson, will be a screaming at the president tonight?

He made SUCH a name for himself last time.

[FreewheelinFranklin]

02:13 PM on 01/25/2011

And even more in campaign contributions.

[Hillside1]

11:26 AM on 01/25/2011

Dear Joe,

You have no place in such a place of honor

You embarrass yourself and our country

[Iam12Vote]

10:57 AM on 01/25/2011

...buddy was no doubt upset that his new seat was in the right field bleachers - until an aide explained the 16 oz Budweisers and all you can eat nachos.

[j hawkins]

11:23 AM on 01/25/2011

Proof Mr.Beck.I mean kriskrinel

[Dave A]

12:46 PM on 01/25/2011

What was Wilson correct about? What did the President lie about?
The President mentioned that the Affordable Health Care for America Act would not
cover undocumented workers. Please show me where in the law that it does cover undocumented workers

[dmsdzinr]

09:46 AM on 01/25/2011

I say sit Joe IN The Corner, with his mouth taped shut.

[Edward Standley]

10:50 AM on 01/25/2011

Well that's kinda harsh. Maybe a coloring book, some crayons, and a sippy cup will do the trick, and he'll remember to use his "indoor voice".

[EF3]

01:04 PM on 01/25/2011

With a dunce cap on his head.

[Guscat]

08:53 AM on 01/25/2011

If he can stay away from the Capitol Hill bars before the address it might be helpful.