And you thought state government was boring. The Face The State newsroom TV is tuned most mornings to the Colorado Channel, a live simulcast of the state House of Representatives. Today, we noticed a wildly gesticulating Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, making quite a to-do out of a relatively routine motion relating to the House journal. As the Denver Post's Jessica Fender blogged at the time, Balmer was addressing his colleagues in ye Olde English, and quite an exaggerated version at that. But Balmer's quixotic oratory is a gem best seen on video. Take a look, below the fold.
Balmer's speech comes on the heels of a Friday memo issued by House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, asking lawmakers, lobbyists and the media to use more formal titles for public officials. Despite his comedic timing, Balmer tells the Post he wasn't poking fun at "your excellency" the Speaker.
Even so, Coloradans catching a replay of Balmer's comedy routine may come to question how serious lawmakers are when hitting the floor to tackle the state's business. Questioned about the reaction to Balmer's over two minutes at the mic, one capitol insider sighed, "We could pass 100 bills and not draw this kind of attention." Exactly.