My eyes started watering before George W. even opened his mouth, and I totally lost it when he said “Thank You Madam Speaker.” Totally lost it. I tried to laugh at myself and ended up just kind of sobbing in a weird sort of glee. Madam Speaker. This is not unusual behavior for me. As I’ve said before, the democratic process makes me emotional and weepy. However, my reaction to the Madam Speaker thing even took me by surprise.

All sappy pride and joy aside. The State of the Union address kind of reminds me of Catholic Mass, what with all the sit down, stand up, and hand shaking.

Watching the State of the Union address has been a tradition for me ever since I took a representative politics class back in college in 1993. I don’t even think I’d ever heard of the speech before that. Now it’s something I look forward to (though apparently I missed it last year). When people asked me what I was going to do tonight, I proclaimed proudly, “Watching the State of the Union.” It’s an event. I get all prepared, making sure my jammers are on, dishes are done, warm cookies are on hand. It’s a blast.

Then I just sit back and watch. I don’t listen too closely because I think a lot of it is a bunch of bullshit. Plus if I listen to closely to Georgie Dubs, I start to get angry. But I watch closely, the looks on people’s faces, what they applaud or don’t applaud, who stands and doesn’t stand — all the important stuff. And I’m catty. Like Joan Rivers on the red carpet.

Who did Cheney’s makeup? It looks horrible.
Someone tell Teddy Kennedy to stop doing the Times crossword puzzle and pay attention.
I don’t think Condi has totally evolved yet.
Is Madam Speaker biting the inside of her cheek to keep from busting out laughing?

And the best part? After the speech where Tim Russert & Brian Williams (though I still prefer Tom Brokaw) totally deconstruct everything. “The President spoke for 49 minutes and was interrupted by applause 62 times.”