Many people are uncomfortable in front of a camera. It's made much worse when you have nothing to do, and the camera stays on you for an hour. So we sympathize with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Dick Cheney (to a degree), who are forced by convention to sit behind the President during the State of the Union address and try not to look bored. They both preformed admirably, if awkwardly.

Pelosi, to her credit, didn't roll her eyes. But she did act like there was something wrong with her contacts (or her eye job) the entire time.

What was worth commenting on, however, was the contrast in blinks per minute between Pelosi and Cheney. While Pelosi clocked a good 25-30 blinks per minute, Cheney barely mustered 3 or 4.

What was Cheney doing that whole time if he wasn't blinking? Blogger Hot Johnny wants to tell you in great, great detail.

11:02 He quickly raises his hand to put what one can only assume to be a mint or cert or some kind of candy in his mouth.

11:21 Possible chewing

12:07, 12:21-12:25 Chewing confirmed.

Cheney also spent a great deal of time looking to his right, where he couldn't have possibly found anyone but Mussolini.

The Cheney You May Have Missed [Hot Johnny]

Watching the SOTU Speech on ABC [BC Beat]