While Obama Speaks, Congress Tweets

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As President Barack Obama took to the podium and addressed members of Congress for the first time since taking the oath of office, a number of senators and representatives took out their BlackBerrys and started tweeting.

These days, a number of members of Congress are active participants on Twitter, a social networking website that allows users 140 characters to tell their followers what they're doing 'right now'.  A list of current Congressional tweeters can be found on www.TweetCongress.org.

During their political campaigns, President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Republican Presidential Nominee and current Senator John McCain -- who still tweets daily -- were all regular participants on Twitter, using it as one way to keep supporters apprised of their daily activities. And, politics was front and center on the site on both Election Day and Inauguration Day, when people all over the world sent minute-by-minute updates on where they were and what they saw.


Live from the Gallery
And on Tuesday, many of members of Congress turned to the site again, giving the Twitter community a taste of their experience from inside the House gallery. Some took an early opportunity to tell their followers of their whereabouts.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) said in a tweet around 8 p.m., "Watch!!! Shortly I and colleagues will b marching into House for Pres speech. On TV."

Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) tweeted, "On the House floor for Pres Obama's historic speech to Congress. I have the honor of escorting him. If you're watching, I'm wearing white."

"Sitting in the House chamber with Sens. McCaskill and Hagan, awaiting the President's address to Congress and the nation," Virginia Senator Mark Warner (D) wrote.

"I am sitting behind Sens. Graham and McCain," Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA) tweeted.

But Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) had a different take on his spot.

"Somehow the best seats are reserved for the Senators," Burgess tweeted before the speech began.

Meanwhile, others took time before the speech began to tell of the scenery in the room.

Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT) wrote, "On the floor of the house of reps. Waiting to hear Barack. Place is on fire."

"TV lights just came on in House Chamber. Diplomatic corps being seated. Press gallery now full," wrote Rep. Robert Inglis (R-SC).

"Interesting who is in gallery. Intro of Dean of diplomatic corps.This place always seems so big," Sen. Clair McCaskill (D-MO) tweeted, making a keystroke error when writing the word 'interesting'.

"Cabinet officers arrive - the applause allows us to visit and kibbitz - a sense of humor is an essential part of this job," said Rep. John Culbertson (R-TX).

"Now Supreme Ct. I did big wooohoo for Justice Ginsburg. She looks good," Sen. McCaskill said a few minutes later.

"Capt Sully is here -- awesome!" said Rep. John Culberson after seeing the US Airways pilot in the gallery.

The President-- or the Big Game?
And as the speech began, one tweet by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) took a unique tone.

"Aggie basketball game is about to start on espn2 for those of you that aren't going to bother watching pelosi smirk for the next hour," it read.

Then, moments later, this was written by Rep. Barton: "Disregard that last Tweet from a staffer."


Play-by-Play from the House Floor
Throughout the near hour-long address, tweeting members of Congress delivered a play-by-play of sorts to those following them online.

"The first big divide: he thanks Congress for recovery act. D's cheer, R's silent. Obama tries to get past this, doesn't dwell on division," wrote Rep. Earl Blumenauer, (D-OR).

"Families and businesses across this nation have had to tighten their belt, it is time Congress do the same," wrote Rep. Terry Lee (R-NE).

Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) said, "Sitting at the State of the Union listening to words like responsibilty and accountability just days after a reckless spending spree."

"Some Republican Senators are standing and clapping, including McCain. Great!" Blumenauer said, adding a few minutes later, "One of the teleprompters is directly between the President and me. But I am sure he delivered the line about stark budget realities to me."

"Get ready for your light bills to go even higher through the roof w carbon cap and trade Lieberman bill," wrote Rep. Culbertson.

Instant Speech Reactions
As Obama's speech ended, the reactions kept coming.

"Great speech. Right tone.Right message of bold action and budget restraint. My favorite line: "We are not quitters," said Sen. McCaskill.

Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-IL) said, "Appreciate President's call for fiscal prudence, but why hike taxes on small employers who create 70 percent of new jobs?"

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) wrote, "Ambitious speech. Missed on nuclear as "green" energy. He's had a strong start. Well received speech in chamber. Has to reject earmarks."


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