Wilson Wasn't Only Republican Behaving Badly

Boorish foes steal show during president's speech
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 10, 2009 3:26 AM CDT

Rep. Joe Wilson was far from the only rude Republican at last night's joint session of Congress, Dana Milbank writes in the Washington Post. Shouts of "Shame!" and "Not true!" could be heard at various points, along with plenty of boos, hisses, and grumbles. Other GOP lawmakers waved handwritten posters during the addresses, or could be seen fiddling with their Blackberries as Obama spoke.

A handful of Democrats also acted provocatively, with Rep. Bill Pascrell waving a victory sign at Obama. Most lawmakers managed to act like adults, Milbank notes. But the rude House Republicans were the ones who stole the show, and it wasn't a pretty sight to watch "what was supposed to be a sacred ritual of American democracy" treated like a rowdy town hall meeting, he writes. The irony, MIlbank notes, is that Obama actually used the speech to reach out to Republicans.
(More House Republicans stories.)

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