Big Sky Cairn

Jay Stevens claims that Republicans booed “zero-to-partisan in five seconds flat” Jackie Speier during her opening remarks on the House Floor. Here’s the transcript:

SPEIER: Recently, I was introduced as having been elected to replace Tom Lantos. I had to laugh. I was elected to succeed Congressman Lantos. No one will ever replace him. […]

Madam Speaker, I was struck with something while campaigning for this seat. A public servant is never more in tune with her constituents than when she is first running for the office. While holding over 60 community meetings across my district this year, the most common question was — when will we get out of iraq?

It was asked by voters across the spectrum, veterans, students, parents, the prosperous, middle class, those still working towards their piece of the American dream. The process to bring the troops home must begin immediately.

The President wants to stay the course, and a man who wants to replace him suggests we could be in Iraq for 100 years.

But, Madam Speaker, history —

(BOOS)

PELOSI: The House will be in order.

SPEIER: — will not judge us kindly if we sacrifice four generations of Americans because of the folly of one. And, Madam Speaker, as a passionate as people are of getting out of Iraq, they’re also worried.

PELOSI: The house is not in order. Will the gentlemen please take their conversations outside the chamber.

The C-SPAN video does not leave Rep. Speier so there’s no evidence as to who was doing the booing. Considering when the booing occurred though - right after she described the statements McCain made about how long the US might have a presence in Iraq - it’s not unreasonable to suspect that it was actually Democrats who were booing the McCain policy she was explaining.

At that point in her speech, it doesn’t really make sense for Republicans to boo. I think these boos came from the left instead of the right and were directed at the policy instead of the speaker.

Of course, it’s impossible to tell from the evidence we can see. I don’t know and neither does Jay.

If you are going to say zero to partisan, it was a newly elected Democrat who took a shot at a Presidential candidate, one might say she wasted no time in being partisan.

“zero-to-partisan” was a title for Jackie Speier Brad. We’re on the same page here.

Looks like I need to take a lesson in reading comprehension. Or maybe that thing about great minds is true.