Does it really matter where members of Congress sit during President Obama's State of the Union Address next Tuesday? Of Iowa's seven members of Congress, only Second District's Dave Loebsack has signed on to a seating plan where Republicans and Democrats would sit next to each other during the speech. Loebsack's support for the plan is evidence that he is willing to think differently from the rest of the Iowa delegation and more evidence that he is striving to work with any member of Congress with whom he can find common ground to work towards improving life for Iowans. The gesture is symbolic, but appreciated by constituents.

The Washington Post quoted House Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (D-SC) who said that he's not opposed to the idea of bipartisan seating, but emphasized that just sitting together “doesn't cut it.”

“I don't see anything wrong with it … but I really think that what shows that we're working in a bipartisan way is to work in a bipartisan way.” Well said Representative Clyburn.