The Washington Post reports on the lawmaker who will spend up to seven hours staking out seats near to the aisle to be seen shaking President Obama’s hand as he enters the House chamber.
“They’ve been around for at least 46 years. For the people on the aisle, the State of the Union is a rare night when a low-ranking legislator can score both a TV appearance and a personal audience with the president. Just try to ignore the elbows thrown by your colleagues. And be brief.”
“The squatters on the House aisle are now a familiar part of the State
of the Union ritual — a signal that the night has evolved from from a
speech into a show, and then from the president’s show to more of an
ensemble piece.”