Bishop's Stand-up Routine
Congressman Rob Bishop is plenty comfortable in the Utah House of Representatives.
The former state House speaker took his comedy act to his old stomping grounds Monday and opened with a joke: "I'll bet you would have stood longer for Hatch and Bennett, wouldn't you?" he asked his former colleagues.
He dispensed with the serious topics -- the Apple Initiative, No Child Left Behind, and Pell grants.
Then Bishop said the Republican-dominated Utah Legislature is an example of kinder, gentler government. For example, the decorum on the Utah House floor is very different from the U.S. House he said.
"The state of Utah simply is a nicer place, has a kinder tone. You conduct yourselves in better ways," Bishop said, in all sincerity. "The federal government could learn a lot from the state of Utah."
Then the real jokes continued.
Bishop commended lawmakers for considering eliminating the sales tax on food. "All I want to make sure is: Dr. Pepper is qualified as a food."
Representatives gave as good as they got. Bishop was known for introducing casual-dress "sweater" days to the Utah House and often showing up to work without socks. A handful of legislators stood up Monday with pullover sweaters. And Ogden Republican Rep. Kerry Gibson lifted up his leg to show off a sockless foot.
After a flurry of back-and-forth sock jokes, Bishop looked for familiar faces and acknowledged, of all people, a Democratic senator -- Price's Mike Dmitrich.
"I haven't seen Mike since I watched the last Jazz game," Bishop said, referring to Dmitrich's recent appearance in Delta Center courtside seats next to Coach Jerry Sloan.
"Did they take your advice?" asked Bishop.
Dmitrich nodded, "They won."
Replied Bishop: "They should be paying you to go to more games."
We're guessing he means in addition to the free lobbyist tickets.
-- Rebecca Walsh and Glen Warchol
The former state House speaker took his comedy act to his old stomping grounds Monday and opened with a joke: "I'll bet you would have stood longer for Hatch and Bennett, wouldn't you?" he asked his former colleagues.
He dispensed with the serious topics -- the Apple Initiative, No Child Left Behind, and Pell grants.
Then Bishop said the Republican-dominated Utah Legislature is an example of kinder, gentler government. For example, the decorum on the Utah House floor is very different from the U.S. House he said.
"The state of Utah simply is a nicer place, has a kinder tone. You conduct yourselves in better ways," Bishop said, in all sincerity. "The federal government could learn a lot from the state of Utah."
Then the real jokes continued.
Bishop commended lawmakers for considering eliminating the sales tax on food. "All I want to make sure is: Dr. Pepper is qualified as a food."
Representatives gave as good as they got. Bishop was known for introducing casual-dress "sweater" days to the Utah House and often showing up to work without socks. A handful of legislators stood up Monday with pullover sweaters. And Ogden Republican Rep. Kerry Gibson lifted up his leg to show off a sockless foot.
After a flurry of back-and-forth sock jokes, Bishop looked for familiar faces and acknowledged, of all people, a Democratic senator -- Price's Mike Dmitrich.
"I haven't seen Mike since I watched the last Jazz game," Bishop said, referring to Dmitrich's recent appearance in Delta Center courtside seats next to Coach Jerry Sloan.
"Did they take your advice?" asked Bishop.
Dmitrich nodded, "They won."
Replied Bishop: "They should be paying you to go to more games."
We're guessing he means in addition to the free lobbyist tickets.
-- Rebecca Walsh and Glen Warchol
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