Political theater took on an entirely different meaning Monday morning in the state House.
Effecting a Shakespearean tone, Republican Rep. David Balmer of Centennial delivered what is usually a perfunctory motion chock full of “ye” and “thine.”
“Mr. Speaker. Your Excellency, the most High Speaker, Protector of This Chamber, Protector of Our Most Sovereign State of Colorado and Defender of the Faith,” Balmer began.
The motion comes after House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, on Friday beseeched Capitol dwellers for more formality when addressing elected lawmakers. Apparently, governor’s staff, reporters, visitors and others were using first names too often.
While “Your Excellency, the most High Speaker” may not be Carroll’s proper title, he chuckled a bit from the podium and said he liked that part.
The strict attention to protocol has proven hard for even some elected officials to pull off.
“I violated the Rep. Carroll edict. Twice,” said Gov. Bill Ritter, after referring to two lawmakers by their first names during a news conference Monday.
It may have technically been three times, because the preferred title by which to address Carroll is “Mr. Speaker.”
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
