Legislative laugh factory

By: Ryan Nobles – bio | email

It has been an interesting year in the Virginia General Asssembly.  Monday night at 11 on NBC12 I took a look at the “legislative laugh factory”.

Amidst the hot topics at this year at the General Assembly — there’s also been a lot of laughs. The respected institution has generated plenty of comedy in 2012, some by accident, and others on purpose.

The Virginia General Assembly is the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere. It has survived both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and counts presidents among its alumni.

It makes you wonder what has happened in 2012.

You’ve seen the late night jabs taken at Virginia’s expense.

“I love transvaginal. It’s my favorite airline,” said Amy Poehler on NBC’s Saturday Night Live referring to the heated debate over Virginia requiring ultrasounds before abortions.

But as groups like Saturday Night Live use the Commonwealth as comedic punching bag, members of General Assembly have decided to make jokes of their own.

“The boys in bed, wife’s here,” said Del. Dave Albo (R-Fairfax) from the House floor. “TV check.”  

Late last week, Albo regaled his colleagues with a story of romancing his wife. It was something that was interrupted by the national coverage of the Virginia legislature.

“The Gentleman from Alexandria’s face as big as my wall going ‘trans-ve buh bu buh,” he said in reference to fellow Del. Dave Englin (D-Alexandria)

Note, the use of the word “gentleman”.

Then today, Del. Scott Surovell a Democrat from Northern Virginia stepped to the microphone to debate against the “castle” doctrine which would allow someone to use deadly force to protect their home.

“I’m a delegate running for office,” he said talking about walking door to door during his campaign. Another unidentified member of the House yelled,  “SHOOT HIM!”

The back-and-forth led to hearty laughs from both republicans and democrats.

read the rest of the story on NBC12.com

Here are the full clips. First from Monday Del. Scott Surovell and the “Shoot him” clip:

And the Albo clip. (our version) The version from the blog Not Larry Sabato has recieved over 200 thousand views.