# Who heckled Obama during his address to Congress? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496 "2009-09-10T00:52:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/121 "2009-09-10T07:23:27Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Obama’s popularity is in freefall I think there’s a certain amount of wishful thinking in that assertion. Sure, Obama’s approval ratings have dropped dramatically since his inauguration, from [a little under 70% to 51%](http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx), and his disapproval ratings have increased to about 41% from a very low initial level of 12% or so. However, I’m not convinced that this is evidence of a continuing “freefall”, rather than mostly a correction to the unsustainable euphoria surrounding Obama’s election. Sure, he ran a great campaign and became the first black president and was clearly smart and savvy and very different from his predecessor, but there was no reason to expect that honeymoon to last. Now he’s just an ordinary fallible president with a hell of a mess to clean up and a lot of very bitter and spiteful opposition, and it’s only natural that a lot of people are viewing him with a more jaundiced eye. But I don’t think the trend so far necessarily justifies your extrapolating it into the “freefall” you are hoping for. For example, at [exactly this point in the George W. Bush presidency](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2005/04/25/GR2005042500945.html), his approval level was about 55% and his disapproval level about 41%—numbers quite similar to Obama’s at present. Were you worried then that Bush’s popularity was in freefall? If not, then I’m not sure you should be getting your hopes up for Obama’s freefall now. > [@nameless](#): > > Two words, Diogenes: affirmative action. Wow, that’s adorable. It’s really an elegant catch-22 you Obama-haters have set up, isn’t it? First you claim he hasn’t achieved anything significant in his life, and when somebody points out his significant achievements, you switch to claiming that he owes it all to racial favoritism and not to his own talents. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/122 "2009-09-10T07:46:29Z")
I don’t recall the Dixie Chicks being so disrespectful as to call the President a liar, even though he obviously was. And they were all but hounded out of the country for their lack of patriotism; week after week after week it went on. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/123 "2009-09-10T08:23:57Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > So let me see if I understand this. > > The only way to act in good faith now is to support a public option plan? No, but it’d certainly demonstrate contrition. Verbiage is obviously very cheap for Republicans nowadays, just look at the lies they’ve been spouting on healthcare reform all summer long. That being the case, the only way the congressman can prove that he actually means what he says, this time, is via his _actions_. Obviously, supporting a public option with his vote is _one such_ action. Perhaps you can think of others? ---
**Author:** ![nameless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/779978/32.png) [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/124 "2009-09-10T08:26:15Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Wow, that’s adorable. It’s really an elegant catch-22 you Obama-haters have set up, isn’t it? First you claim he hasn’t achieved anything significant in his life, and when somebody points out his significant achievements, you switch to claiming that he owes it all to racial favoritism and not to his own talents. Whooosh. Sorry, I thought that was a little more over the top than it actually was. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/125 "2009-09-10T09:44:57Z")
I’m afraid so, **nameless**. I actually had to look up your posting history to confirm what you really meant. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/126 "2009-09-10T09:47:01Z")
> [@nameless](#): > > Whooosh. Sorry, I thought that was a little more over the top than it actually was. [Poe’s Law](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Poe%27s+Law) strikes again! ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/127 "2009-09-10T11:12:49Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Shilling for a political campaign? Yes, shilling for a political campaign: > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Drain Bead > This is Mr. Wilson’s opponent, just in case anyone thinks he could use a donation. He’s an Iraq War veteran who got 46.5% of the vote in 08 in a heavily Republican district. \ > [@](#): > > Calls to Action: Threads calling for folks to take actions (political, charitable, personal, etc) are prohibited unless there is prior approval from a moderator or administrator. Do not instigate members to take action for or against any issue or entity. Do not post phone numbers, email addresses or any other personally identifiable information of any entity in this regard. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/128 "2009-09-10T11:20:35Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Look at it this way: Obama is holding all the cards; the Republicans can stop _nothing_ if Obama wants it badly enough. They simply don’t have the votes. In fact, when you think about it, all GOP representatives _can_ do at this point is stand up and call Obama names. > > Obama’s problem is the sinking support for his risky scheme to completely overhaul the nation’s health-care system. Americans don’t want it touched, thank you very much. And they are letting their elected officials know that their political futures are on the line if they go along with the failed community organizer’s idiotic ideas. The more Americans hear about Obama’s insane ideas, the less they like them. Add to that, voters are also taking notice that Obama seems to be completely surrounded by whack-job, fruit-cake radicals. Van Jones? Really? The thought that a complete nut like him would even be allowed on the White House tour is spooky enough, but Barack “It’s like the Special Olympics or something” Obama wanted to place him in a position of power? An unelected czar who answers to no one? > > A lot of Americans have a problem with that. > > Personally, I wouldn’t trust a failed community organizer like Barack to park my car at the hospital during my next visit…and I certainly don’t want him with his…ahem…record of achievement…(snort)…getting anywhere near a complete overhaul of the greatest health care system on the planet. When did Fox News sign up for a Dope account? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/129 "2009-09-10T11:26:49Z")
[Dana Milbank](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/09/AR2009090902298.html?hpid=topnews) breaks down the various responses during the speech. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/130 "2009-09-10T11:28:06Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You know what must really aggravate the righty wingnuts – the fact that Obama doesn’t have a sex scandal. It must drive them nuts that he clearly has a genuine marriage and practices sincere family values. Yes, but in a darkened White House, after the kids have gone to bed early, and they’ve had perhaps one too many glasses of wine after dinner, and they’re feeling just a little extra frisky: Barack makes Michelle wear a Seven of Nine costume. ---
**Author:** ![Batfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Batfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batfish)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/131 "2009-09-10T11:48:47Z")
ehh… i messed it up ---
**Author:** ![Batfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Batfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batfish)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/132 "2009-09-10T11:55:39Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Obama wanted to place him in a position of power? An unelected czar who answers to no one? So powerful you hadn’t heard of him before last week. So untouchable two days of negative publicity forced him to resign. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/133 "2009-09-10T11:56:32Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > [Dana Milbank](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/09/AR2009090902298.html?hpid=topnews) breaks down the various responses during the speech. Wow. Reading the article makes me think that Joe Wilson’s misdeeds weren’t the words but the timing. It sounds like the heckling was an organized Republican event and if Wilson had been just a few seconds earlier on this slur (or others had joined in like they’d previously done) his voice would be lost in the crowd. It wasn’t. I now expect a “sorry I got caught” apology, while he sweats out whether the Republican Party offers him up as a sacrificial lamb. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/134 "2009-09-10T12:23:13Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > You’re… satire, right? > > Like… Stephen Colbert style? I laughed. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/135 "2009-09-10T12:26:45Z")
Someone questioned the Holy One? BLASPHEMY! STONE HIM! Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/136 "2009-09-10T12:36:48Z")
Dammit - why is the Daily Show on hiatus when [South Carolina](http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-3-2009/thank-you--south-carolina-) has distinguished itself yet again? Really, though, I was quite surprised given the Republicans’ [history of civility on the Senate floor](http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/25/cheney.leahy/). ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/137 "2009-09-10T12:43:40Z")
> [@](#): > > In fact, when you think about it, all GOP representatives can do at this point is stand up and call Obama names. True, but you’re NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT FROM THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE WHILE SOMEONE ELSE SPEAKS HIS TURN, be it either a fellow Congressman, a guest, or an official of the United States. It’s against Congressional etiquette and rules. (So friend **Shodan** , you may kindly go regard that small detail. It’s not who, it’s what. At least for me.) Now, if we were to formally propose switching to a UK-Parliament style format where backbenchers ARE expected to heckle and the whips may ask loaded questions… THAT could make things interesting… I could get behind that. But like conservatives like to say: legislate it, don’t just make it up. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/138 "2009-09-10T12:45:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Dana Milbank breaks down the various responses during the speech. > Reply With Quote Thanks for posting that I was wondering what it was all those Republicans kept hoisting over their heads – copies of the GOP plan. I’m also surprised – I missed all those other shouts. I heard and understood Wilson’s, loud and clear, but I missed the others – “Shame!” and “read the plan!” I have to echo what someone wrote earlier – has there been anything else like this in the past hundred years or so? I can’t recall any sort of individual outbursts during a presidential address of Congress. Laughter, applause, even booing, yes, but I don’t recall anyone yelling out individual heckles before. This seems to hark back to the days of Congressional stickfights in the 18th sand 19th century. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/139 "2009-09-10T12:54:44Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Thanks for posting that I was wondering what it was all those Republicans kept hoisting over their heads – **copies of the GOP plan.** IOW, blank sheets of paper. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496/140 "2009-09-10T12:55:38Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Yes, shilling for a political campaign: > > \ I think you are an utter mentalist and a regular troll, but on this one and only occasion will I stand by you and say you are right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-heckled-obama-during-his-address-to-congress/509496.md?page=8)