Is all this clapping...normal?

I'm watching the Obama speech right now, and the clapping is just absurd. They're clapping for him on every other sentence (except that one boo that made me laugh). I've watched many speeches of Obama, as well as other politicians, and I've never seen this much clapping. Did somebody time how long the first clapping session lasted for? It seemed like around three minutes straight of people clapping in rhythm. Am I just going crazy, or is the amount of clapping higher than usual?

EDIT: If this thread is in the wrong forum, please move it, since I don't know the best place to address this.

[edit on 9/9/2009 by SonicInfinity]

kind of like people that enjoy every music played on the radio and believe everything they see or hear on the media.

What really pissed me off was when he spoke of the rumor of health care for illegals and there were boos and jeers. The look on the face of Pelosi the c@$t was dagger like. The obamanation is wrong and I really wonder if that effin moron has even read the bill. It specifically says there will be health care for illegal immigrants.

reply to post by SonicInfinity


Actually yes; it is normal. I remember watching many of these with past Presidents and yes, it must be some sort of 'custom' I suppose.

The BOO! was odd though!

Somebody obviously didn't watch the Bush State of the Unions...

reply to post by ratcals


I know, that part confused me. That was also the one time that the audience actually booed him, which I found to be hilarious.

Like every other Bush speech in the congress. Yes, it was normal. The texting on blackberries, booing, and jeering that was going on was abnormal.

The administration has spotters in the audience- like V.I. Lenin and J. Stalin did when they gave speeches. They took note of those who didn't cheer loud enough, and dealt with them later. In this case, the Dems who didn't cheer enough would not receive help when up for re-election.

reply to post by SonicInfinity


My thoughts exactly. I've seen a few Presidential addresses in my day and they usually open with the President sitting in a chair or behind his desk. This seemed to be carefully choreographed, starting with him standing in the shadows waiting to be introduced.
It would seem TPTB finally have a mouthpiece who looks good on TV and they're going to make the most of it.

i felt the clapping and standing ovations was ridiculous and absurd

it made the whole situation look like nothing more then a circus

it reminded me of watching a late night monologue

the whole time i felt there was a screen off camera that was lighting up telling people to applaud

it really made the whole thing look like a joke

what i am curious and trying to find out right now though is who yelled
"its a lie" when obama said we werent going to pay for immigrants health care

Yeah I also noticed it, but the yell when he mentioned criminal tresspassers, i thought it was "Liar"!!!. However I may be wrong.

I think you may have recently missed his last high profile appointment.

The clapping Czar.

They got the idea from Oprah.

If you ever been to a tapping of her show there is a person who stands off camera near the audience and they tell the audience when to clap.

please watch state of the unions from 2001 to 2008

Originally posted by Dramey


what i am curious and trying to find out right now though is who yelled
"its a lie" when obama said we werent going to pay for immigrants health care

South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson

I think what he was holding up in his hand was some of the house bill to prove it... but I could be wrong.

reply to post by MissSmartypants


If you ever watch some of Bush's state of the union address' you will see the same type of activity.

I believe it's some sort of unwritten rule that you clap and cheer at the president's words.

after watching many of these for a while.\
yes clapping and standing is very frequent for these types of things.
also republicans sitting down angrily and yelling. :/

all the speeches are that way. I remember watching the Address of the Nation for Bush once and it was the same.

i was thinking: this speech would only be 10 minutes if people kept quiet.

Yes - unfortunately it is normal - and severely absurd.
What does this behavior tell you?
We've jumped the shark. It's embarrassing.
Like anyone should ever get this kind attention on every point they make.
Here is a true and clear example of the mental illness that runs this country.
It's all about the stroking of the ego.
Laughable and ridiculous.
It's the opposite direction we should be heading.
Can we just get honest with each other before it's too late?

Originally posted by stevegmu
The administration has spotters in the audience- like V.I. Lenin and J. Stalin did when they gave speeches. They took note of those who didn't cheer loud enough, and dealt with them later. In this case, the Dems who didn't cheer enough would not receive help when up for re-election.

I would love to see a source on this, otherwise it's a very inflammatory lie.

Why is something like this tolerated on this sight?

I was thinking the same thing when I was watching it. But I wasn't going to say anything because I thought maybe it was just me...
I finally had to quit watching it since it was beginning to get on my nerves.
Thanks for sharing that, now I know I wasn't alone in my thinking.