Markey records video from chairman’s perspective

Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) sought to make history Thursday by videotaping a congressional hearing from his own perspective.

At the outset of the hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, which he chairs, Markey produced a video camera and said he would produce the first video “of a committee hearing from the chairman’s perspective.”

{mosads}The interlude produced great laughter and Markey proceeded to make the witness panel, the audience and the press wave to him.

He then panned to Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) for a close-up and to the Democratic side to show other committee members. However, only one other Democrat, Rep. Anna Eshoo (Calif.), was present.

Markey wanted to make the case that “even the Congress” can post videos to the Web.

“‘Congressional expert’ is an oxymoron, like ‘jumbo shrimp’ or ‘Salt Lake City nightlife.’ There really is no such thing,” Markey said to the amusement of the crowd.