Reaction from Democrats on the House floor watching President Donald Trump speak Tuesday night was so heated, one Texas congressman had to be removed from the room.
“You don’t have a mandate,” yelled Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas, who stood up, holding out his cane and pointing it at the president. After ignoring repeated calls from the Speaker of the House to observe decorum, the cane-waving congressman was tossed out of the chamber.
After the speech, there was outrage from Trump supporters over the refusal of Democrats to stand or applaud for people being honored by Trump Tuesday night, including the family of Laken Riley (killed by an illegal alien who had been released by law enforcement) and 13-year-old cancer patient DJ Daniel, who was made an honorary Secret Service agent.
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) had no apologies, however.
“I will always applaud American success. But I will not clap for the gaslighting we experienced tonight,” the Delaware Valley Democrat posted on social media.
Her colleague, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D), was so angry that she walked out of the speech halfway through.
“I went to tonight’s joint address with the intention of staying for the entire speech out of respect for our nation. But after an hour of rambling, the President’s remarks became increasingly untruthful and disrespectful to both members of Congress and the American people. I no longer saw the point in enduring his dangerous mockery of our democracy. So I quietly excused myself and left the chamber,” she said via Twitter.
Local Republicans — and most Americans — liked what they heard.
A snap poll after the speech found the viewers overwhelmingly approved of Trump’s message. In a CBS News/YouGov poll 76 percent said they approved of Trump’s address, with 23 percent saying they disapprove.
And a CNN overnight poll found 69 percent of viewers had a positive response.
“No one can argue that President Trump is moving at warp speed,” said Delaware County GOP chair Frank Agovino. “His America First policies are off-putting to many Democrats, but such bold goals demand patience and cooperation. Ultimately, it is hard working people and families that stand to benefit the most, much like the residents of Delaware County. So many people just can’t get past their unnatural dislike for the President to hear the message of peace, prosperity, health, and the resurgence of the American dream.”
Longtime Republican consultant Charlie Gerow called it “a very powerful and effective speech. It was his best ever. The ‘Lenny Skutnick’ moments — the shout-outs to heroes in the gallery — were especially effective. Each one was more emotionally powerful than the last.”
Bucks County GOP Chair Pat Poprik said Trump’s speech “was a speech of love for country and love for the American people. It was a speech of hope for the future. The core of his speech was about uniting as Americans and doing what’s best for the country. That’s what the people voted for. That is what his administration is committed to. I was very pleased with what he said.”
And GOP activist Scott Presler, who’s working to flip blue parts of Pennsylvania red, urged the GOP to follow Trump’s example.
“Dear Republican Party, This entire speech can be used for the midterm elections. Please use it,” Presler posted.
A group of House Democratic women wore pink to the speech in protest of Trump’s policies. Republicans noted the irony that those women also voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
Trump’s was the longest State of the Union-style speech ever delivered. (Technically, Tuesday night’s speech was an address to a joint session of Congress.) It also received positive reviews from political professionals on both sides of the aisle.
“This was the most partisan speech I have ever heard a president give in a setting like this, and I’ve seen a lot of them,” said veteran journalist Brit Hume on Fox afterward. “And it was one of the most effective. Politically speaking, this was pretty powerful stuff.”
And former pollster for both Bill and Hillary Clinton, Mark Penn, said:
“It was unquestionably a powerful speech featuring the stories of real and sympathetic Americans who have faced adversity or lost loved ones. There were parts people will disagree with, but most people will agree with most of the policies outlined, including closing the border, balancing the budget, the death penalty for cop killers, cutting fraud and waste, bringing peace to Ukraine, and better exploiting the country’s natural resources.
“The Democrats made themselves look small by failing to agree even on 90/10 issues or to vigorously salute people of courage and valor.”
Gerow agreed.
“Sadly, the Democrats sat on their hands throughout, including when heroes were introduced and good news was delivered. A terrible night for the opposition and a great night for Donald J. Trump.”
