It’s not often that American politicians get physical with one another during a heated debate, but when they do, the consequences can be serious. In the 2011 Republican debate in Las Vegas, Mitt Romney placed his hand on rival Rick Perry’s shoulder during what appeared to be a tense moment of disagreement. The two competitors proceeded as gentlemen, but not all angry politicians have been able to maintain their self-control.
Whamma in Alabama State Senate
As reported by CBS News, Alabama Senators Charles Bishop and Lowell Barron came to blows June 8, 2007, on the Alabama Senate floor. Bishop, a 69-year-old Republican approached Barron, a 65-year-old Democrat and punched him in the head. Bishop claimed that Barron had called him a “son of a bitch” though Barron denied using the expletive. Bishop, who had challenged at least one other senator to a fight during his career, stood by his actions even while apologizing, stating that “people don’t say that about your mom.” Two senators sitting near Barron reported that they didn’t hear any name-calling.
After his political attack, Bishop voluntarily left the Senate House, and though disciplinary measures were discussed none were brought. Senator Barron declined to charge Bishop with assault.
The Dye Was Cast
A heated controversy over proposed duties on coal tar dye nearly transformed the U.S. Senate floor into a boxing ring during the 1922 summer session. Already running behind schedule, tensions were high as senators battled with the evening’s last order of business – the coal tar dye tariff measure. Senator McCumber (R-N.D.), who was leading the move for the increased tariff, and Senator Robinson (D-Ark.) who opposed, advanced toward each other down the center aisle after a heated debate. The two were subdued by other members of the House before blows were exchanged. However, the incident strained the patience of many weary Senators and “a hub-bub” erupted on the floor, according to the New York Times.
Ironically, the argument between the Senators was not caused by opposing views on the proposed tariff; it was caused by opposing views on when to recess the session. The session was adjourned and eventually the tariff proposal was withdrawn.
Mind Your Manners
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Manual of Parliamentary Practice, the guide that’s set the behavioral standard for members of the House and Senate since the early days of American democracy. But in 1902, Senator John McLaurin from South Carolina and Ben Tillman, the state’s senior senator, were responsible for an addition to Jefferson’s historic tome.
The Senate.gov website recalls the story of how McLaurin approached Tillman during session and stated that Tillman had told “a willful, malicious and deliberate lie.” Tillman’s reaction to this accusation was to punch McLaurin soundly in the jaw. Several House members attempted to squelch the fisticuffs and a few received bruises for their efforts.
Both men were democrats and had been political allies, but McLaurin’s recent siding with Republican positions enraged Tillman. When his former ally voted to support a controversial Republican-led treaty, McLaurin could no longer hold his tongue.
Both men were censured by the Senate and their legacy lives on in the addition of Rule XIX in the senatorial code of conduct, “No senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy of becoming a Senator.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/08/politics/main2901715_page2.shtml
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C01E5DB1439EF3ABC4A53DFB0668389639EDE
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Senate_Fistfight.htm