There are now 51 members of Congress not attending Netanyahu's speech tomorrow

[DonViejo]

Still More
— Josh Marshall

There are now apparently 51 members of Congress not attending Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech tomorrow. Seven Senators and 44 members of the House. The latest is Sen. Al Franken (D). The list is heavily weighted toward African-Americans but also toward Jews. By my count, Franken is the 6th Jewish member of Congress to sit it out.

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/still-more--4

[riderinthestorm]

1. Edging up to 10%. Wish it were more but 10% of Congress isn't insignificant nt

[Scootaloo]

6. It will probably end up larger

There will no doubt be congresspersons who don't announce they aren't attending... but who just don't show up. Or maybe- dare I hope - walk out.

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. I agree. I think we'll see plenty of no-shows...

and boy would I ever love to see a walk out!

[progressoid]

2. Rec!

[eridani]

3. TPM points out that six Jewish legislators are not attending

That is a pretty powerful message.

[PoliticAverse]

4. The Hill has been maintaining a list and their count is now 53...

See: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/232160-whip-list-dems-skipping-netanyahu-speech

[randys1]

5. Good, when will Boehner be arrested for treason?

I have a new dream ticket

FRANKEN/Torres

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norma_Torres

[Lifelong Protester]

7. 10% or more (keep hoping!)

will mean a lot of empty seats... and those will not be good optics.

[SunSeeker]

9. The GOP said they will fill empty seats with staffers...like at the Oscars.

If the GOP knows one thing, it is setting up dog and pony shows. Actually running the country? Not so much.

[Lifelong Protester]

24. Really?

I can't take it!

[monmouth4]

10. The Dems should keep quiet as to who will and won't attend. Don't give them time to get

people to fill in those seats...

[Cha]

11. I have an update on my thread, Don.. "53"..including Sens Franklin and Whitehouse!

WHIP LIST: 53 Democrats to skip Netanyahu speech to Congress

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/232160-whip-list-dems-skipping-netanyahu-speech

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026298051

[Cryptoad]

12. Shame on those that attend! nt

[PedXing]

13. Ten percent. How pathetic.

[KoKo]

15. That is sad...Repubs go After Obama and they can't even get a majority of Dems to stand UP?

[PedXing]

17. Maybe there will be a coordinated stand up and leave event. That would be cool!

[BumRushDaShow]

14. The entire Black Caucus should boycott

although I know there are 2 black (R)s (but one refused to join the Caucus). The article seemed to suggest that many in the House were apparently members of that Caucus.

[whathehell]

16. YES!

[myrna minx]

18. Thank you Sentor Franken. This is such an insult to the President as well as the

American people.

[angrychair]

19. sorry, 10% does send a message

That Dems don't give a shit about PBO. Not a single Dem should be sitting in that room tomorrow. Anything less gives legitimacy to his visit. At any given time I would bet that 10% are missing due to appointments or schedule conflicts. There 232 Dems and none of them should be there tomorrow.

[nilesobek]

20. The democrats should shout him down

as the speech starts. Don't even let him get a complete sentence spoken.(

[Maineman]

21. Israel is a damn nuisance. All because "god gave them" that land they occupy.

[grossproffit]

22. Israel isn't going anywhere. It's their land and will forever remain their land.

[dolphinsandtuna]

23. well Apartheid bit the dust

so there's still hope that Israel will too.

[erronis]

25. Why care about jew/arab/atheist/black/white/left/right?

You are actually clouding the message by trying to categorize those that are sitting out the dog-and-pony show by various affiliations.

The main thing is that thinking congress people have made a rational decision not to attend. I don't care if they are blonds, brunettes, balds. I don't care if they are dems/reps/inds. I don't care if they are gay/bi/straight. Why should we?

All of us should be offended by this theater. I'd rather see a list of those that applauded during his diatribes.