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It’s Time for a ‘People’s State of the Union’
Townhall.com ^ | January 18, 2019 | Mark Davis

Posted on 01/18/2019 7:36:47 PM PST by Kaslin

Two questions lead straight to an answer on the State of the Union standoff:

First, does a House Speaker have the right to ban a president from the House gallery? It would seem so.

Second, what has been the setting for some of President Trump’s most rousing and riveting connective moments? That would be at large rallies.

Boom. Problem solved.

State of the Union addresses have become predictable yawners for most except the political junkie community. It may be that the government shutdown has helped us realize that we’ll manage just fine with a written report, as was the habit for most of our nation’s first century.

But for this year, with the government shutdown battle lines drawn, Nancy Pelosi’s snub of Trump creates an opportunity that should not be missed. If the House will not have him, he should walk into the glorious environment that fueled his campaign and has enlivened his presidency: a stadium filled with thousands of cheering Americans.

If it can be logistically assembled by January 29, that date should feature the first-ever People’s State of the Union.

This moment of riveting political theater would be a study in contrasts. The usual State of the Union is delivered to the most exclusive of audiences; this one would be for all comers. As the president speaks, the norm is for roughly half of the room to applaud while the other half sits lifelessly; this crowd would roar with approval throughout. And usually, the State of the Union is a predictable litany of dry policy ideas mixed with well-worn platitudes. The People’s State of the Union would likely feature a blistering, relentless indictment of the Democrat Party’s failure to protect our borders.

What’s not to love?

Speaker Pelosi crafted an absurd excuse for sabotaging the address, citing security concerns that security officials instantly identified as fake. She lobbied for the speech to be delivered after the shutdown is resolved, knowing her party is losing the shutdown skirmish bit by bit with each passing day. It is obvious that while many conservatives find an instructive moment in government stoppages, they are positively gut-wrenching to liberals. Hence their constant (and empty) pledges to negotiate once the doors of government are re-opened.

Imagine the anticipation as the venue is selected and arrangements begin for the People’s State of the Union. Imagine the lines that night (or the day before) at whatever location is chosen. Imagine the gnashing of Democrat teeth as Pelosi’s “power play” morphs into yet another presidential PR slam-dunk.

I’ve been fortunate to attend a State of the Union or two, and it is heady stuff. The rarefied air of the surroundings, the security funnels necessary to reach the inner sanctum of the House gallery, the unique sensation of sitting in a room with a few hundred watching a speech consumed elsewhere by millions.

This would turn that entire spectacle on its head. Millions would still watch nationwide, but they would see a seething throng of Americans on hand to support a rare and precious sight: a Republican refusing to cave under pressure.

The Constitution requires only that the president give Congress information “from time to time.” The founders did not require a speech of any type. But since that’s the tradition we have established, let’s not dismantle it before one last chance to enjoy one for the ages.

I’ll leave it to talented organizers to assemble the program, choreograph the dignitaries and finalize arrangements, but there is just one vital suggestion I would contribute: a front row seat for the Speaker of the House.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: presidenttrump; sotu
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1 posted on 01/18/2019 7:36:47 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

I like it. Put Nasty in the front row so he can talk down to her, while talking to US Deplorables. MAGA


2 posted on 01/18/2019 7:40:07 PM PST by Equine1952 (Get yourself a ticket on a common mans train of thought)
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To: Kaslin

A people’s state of the union address is an idea so good it simply HAS TO happen. It would be an absolutely brilliant stroke by President Trump and would once again wrong foot the Democrats. He could paint them as not only obstructionist but also a bunch of out of touch elitists which is exactly what they are.


3 posted on 01/18/2019 7:52:44 PM PST by FLT-bird
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To: Kaslin

I said previously that he should deliver 10 SOTU speeches at rallies around the country, and just to be ornery, on the official night, tweet out the entire text. Penultimate Trump!

And the rallies should be far away from the DC Swamp, he could call them the Deplorable State of The Union address.


4 posted on 01/18/2019 8:04:05 PM PST by bigbob (Trust Trump. Trust the Plan.)
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To: Kaslin
Trump
5 posted on 01/18/2019 8:09:17 PM PST by vikingrinn
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To: Kaslin

One beautiful thing would be that after it was a huge success, others Presidents would want to copy it. The problem is the democrats can never ever copy anything that originates with Trump, as it would be an admitted compliment, far worse than merely ‘normalizing’ the fatbastid worst of the deplorables.


6 posted on 01/18/2019 8:19:45 PM PST by tinyowl (A is A)
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To: Kaslin

Hey, what a great idea! It’s genius!


7 posted on 01/18/2019 8:20:26 PM PST by Crucial
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To: Kaslin
a front row seat for the Speaker of the House.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nope, I prefer Mdm Speaker in frame for an hour+ behind PDJT.

Her futile attempts to control facial expression will be hysterical.

8 posted on 01/18/2019 8:24:11 PM PST by gasport (The dung beatle should be the symbol of the Democrat Party)
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To: Kaslin

The lamestreamers will call it “preaching to the choir” but who cares what they think?


9 posted on 01/18/2019 8:27:46 PM PST by Slyfox (Not my circus, not my monkeys)
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To: Kaslin

Speak directly to those who need to know. The PEOPLE. FDR used the fireside chats. Trump has the balls to do it, the Uni-party wussies will be shocked for sure.


10 posted on 01/18/2019 8:35:05 PM PST by Bringbackthedraft (What is earned is treasured, what is free is worth what you paid for it.)
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To: Kaslin

Oh boy!

The people could chant “Build that wall”!!!!


11 posted on 01/18/2019 8:52:50 PM PST by Honorary Serb (Kosovo is Serbia! Free Srpska! Abolish ICTY!)
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To: Kaslin

Fanfare For The Common Man
https://youtu.be/c2zurZig4L8


12 posted on 01/18/2019 9:02:20 PM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Equine1952

I wish people would stop picking on Nazi Pelosi! :O


13 posted on 01/18/2019 9:02:20 PM PST by The Duke (President Trump = America's Last, Best Chanceh)
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To: Kaslin

NEVER have a I looked more forward to a SOTU than I am this year.

BTW, while tomorrow is National Popcorn Day on 911 backwards with a super blood red full wolf moon, I expect Trump to throw out some real red meat for our consumption.


14 posted on 01/18/2019 9:45:54 PM PST by diverteach (If I find liberals in heaven after my death.....I WILL BE PISSED!)
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To: FLT-bird

Nancy wouldn’t come—most of the Demoncrats would not show up—BUT Antifas Protestors would yelling “Hitler”, “Murderer” and worse. Media would twist every word into a lie. STILL, I like the idea—it is so Trump! Read the speech—have Pence introduce the thing, and Others in the GOP Maybe Linsey Geamer? Include some bit of News like Hes inviting Putin to Camp David to work things out—or Move on Cuba or Venuzela ? Or use his pen to outlaw Birth Citizenship—As of February 15.


15 posted on 01/18/2019 11:02:41 PM PST by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll Onward! Ride to the sound of the guns!)
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To: Kaslin

Constitution of the United States

Article II

Section 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

16 posted on 01/18/2019 11:36:14 PM PST by Stanwood_Dave ("Testilying." Cop's lie, only while testifying, as taught in their respected Police Academy(s).)
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To: Kaslin

No, it’s time for a written report, on the lines of, “All 50 states are still here,” to be delivered to Congress, and a signed receipt to be delivered to the White House. End of tv drama.


17 posted on 01/19/2019 3:05:06 AM PST by Tax-chick (What can I do to fight entropy today?)
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To: Tax-chick

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt. You lose. #nevertrumper do not pass go, do not collect prize.

Pelosi may get it in writing, but do you really think our
people’s POTUS will pass a golden opportunity like this up?

Hah hah


18 posted on 01/19/2019 3:17:03 AM PST by dforest (Just shut up Obama. Maybe everyone should just shut up!)
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To: Kaslin
Millions would still watch nationwide...

Most of the networks have stopped carrying his rallies.

19 posted on 01/19/2019 3:35:53 AM PST by semimojo
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To: dforest

What do I lose? Regardless of what Trump, Pelosi, or any of those people does, I’ll be spending my time with my family and my church rather than on political theater.


20 posted on 01/19/2019 4:02:31 AM PST by Tax-chick (What can I do to fight entropy today?)
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