Top senators to sit together at State of the Union address
Sen. Charles Schumer, right, says sitting with Sen. Tom Coburn might help things be "a little bit more civil."
January 16th, 2011
09:16 PM ET

Top senators to sit together at State of the Union address

In a symbolic gesture toward more civil political discourse, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer and Republican Sen. Tom Coburn said Sunday they will sit together at the upcoming State of the Union address.

Appearing on the NBC's "Meet the Press," Schumer and Coburn called for political debate based on issues and ideology, rather than motives and personal attacks, in the aftermath of the Tucson, Arizona, shootings last week that killed six people and critically injured Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Schumer acknowledged that sitting with Coburn for the president's annual speech to Congress would be symbolic, "but maybe it just sets a tone and everything gets a little bit more civil."

"We believe in discourse in America, we believe in strenuous discourse," said Schumer, who is from New York. "We don't sweep differences under the rug. Tom and I have real differences, but we can do it civilly."

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soundoff (45 Responses)
  1. sburg

    i do vote in a republic to bad its a sad excuse for a democracy lmao.

    January 17, 2011 at 4:36 am | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      You scudbug...son of the republic! don't you have anything better to do? The men in black are right outside your door.

      January 17, 2011 at 9:50 am | Report abuse |
  2. sburg

    lets go spread some democracy.lol just another corrupt republic. how do u think authoritarian rule starts? read a history book Rome WAS until their leader declared martial law and changed a few laws around.

    January 17, 2011 at 6:03 am | Report abuse |
  3. Big Game James

    Is anybody optimistic? And how do we "wake up?" Does that entail voting, massive nationwide walkouts or something else?

    January 17, 2011 at 7:00 am | Report abuse |
  4. trying to survive

    America 1st,. I'm sure you must be referring to george w. He is the dumbo who created and left this mess. You're struggling from that fool's policies too huh?. Thank God for common sense from our MAN in the top office. I know you do don't you?

    January 17, 2011 at 7:15 am | Report abuse |
  5. trying to survive

    Yeah Ruffnutt, you're the man; or woman.

    January 17, 2011 at 7:18 am | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      We get it, you nutt-kisser, you're trying to survive!

      January 17, 2011 at 9:53 am | Report abuse |
  6. Cesar

    RuffNutt is right. "I'll talk to the 62nd South District. I"ll make him an off he can't refuse."

    January 17, 2011 at 8:00 am | Report abuse |
  7. retired and happy at home

    Bipartisanship?. Let's hope so. Time will tell.

    January 17, 2011 at 8:29 am | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      ...only under the golden showers of your sweet dreams

      January 17, 2011 at 5:55 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Richard in Texas

    All of this feel good stuff is great but let's see how long it lasts. First person who steps out of bounds then the gloves go off again. Seen it before.

    January 17, 2011 at 6:53 pm | Report abuse |
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