Paul Ryan’s SOTU ‘poker face’ mocked on Twitter

President Obama waves goodbye after giving his final State of the Union on Tuesday. (Photo: Susan Walsh/AP)
Hours before taking his seat behind President Barack Obama for the State of the Union address, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he was planning on practicing his “poker face.”
SLIDESHOW – President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address >>>
“I probably should practice in the mirror,” Ryan, who was elected as speaker in October, said Monday on MSNBC. “I need to get the whole poker-face thing down. I need to be real stoic.”
He wasn’t kidding.
Ryan’s face during Obama’s speech became a topic of conversation on Twitter, where many noted the Wisconsin Republican’s expressionless, often pained stare.
Only now do I appreciate John Boehner’s ability to put on a poker face. Paul Ryan can’t do it.
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire)
Paul Ryan, like Derek Zoolander, apparently has only one look.
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix)
I didn’t think it was possible but Paul Ryan’s smirky face makes me miss John Boehner’s orange face #SOTU
— Quinn Sutherland (@ReelQuinn)
Paul Ryan Quietly Doing Seated Ab Exercises Throughout State Of The Union https://t.co/a1PXsx1EvH #SOTU pic.twitter.com/PAszYhtbu2
— The Onion (@TheOnion)
Paul Ryan’s muted, flickering facial expressions are an inscrutable argot all their own. #SOTU
— Frank Bruni (@FrankBruni)
Quick! Can someone call 911 and direct an ambulance to the Capitol? Paul Ryan is motionless, may have fallen unconscious.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof)
Looks like @SpeakerRyan would rather chaperon a Six Flags field trip with El Chapo than listen to more of this speech. #SOTU
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee)
When the Capri Sun straw breaks and you didn’t even pierce the pouch. pic.twitter.com/UgHmHGcNNd
— Unfuckwittable. (@MsReyda)
paul ryan, are you being held against your will? blink twice if you’re okay. stare straight forward and do nothing if you need rescuing.
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports)
Paul Ryan now thinking about what he’s gonna sing at GOP secret karaoke tonight. Probably Night Ranger.
— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox)
Ryan’s refusal to applaud even the least partisan of Obama’s proposals did not go unnoticed.
Paul Ryan came in with a no-clapping plan and by God, he’s sticking with it
— Rosie Gray (@RosieGray)
Can’t even get a “let’s cure cancer!” applause out of Paul Ryan.
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes)
After curing cancer, we should cure the problem that prevents Paul Ryan’s hands from joining even for things he agrees with. #SOTU
— Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites)
.@VP gives @POTUS a standing ovation while @SpeakerRyan looks on. Full #SOTU speech here: https://t.co/G1eQKVxvFm pic.twitter.com/c9NahYoSOe
— Jaclyn Diaz (@jaclyn_diaz)
Obama should really try to test Paul Ryan’s no-applause policy here: “Puppies are cute.” “Hitler was bad.” “P90X is effective.”
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza)
Paul Ryan simply is experiencing Botox gone bad. He’s been trying to cheer wildly.
— Dan Primack (@danprimack)
Obama did manage to solicit a semi-laugh out of the 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee.
Here’s Paul Ryan trying reeeeally hard not to laugh at one of Obama’s jokes pic.twitter.com/gqekuYJ1BF
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine)
Paul Ryan tried not to smile at that joke, finally did.
— Steve Inskeep (@NPRinskeep)
It wasn’t long before Ryan’s reaction became a meme of its own.
This is what Paul Ryan is thinking about right now… pic.twitter.com/wHxJ4N4pJC
— Eric Stangel (@EricStangel)
Biden Urges Paul Ryan To Check Out Nude Scene From ‘Porky’s’ On Phone https://t.co/UMcJxKfRta #SOTU pic.twitter.com/fvOnEqkcSx
— The Onion (@TheOnion)
can someone check on paul ryan pic.twitter.com/Rne2vcRXk1
— Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono)
The resemblance is frightening. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/vjOuxlVZYy
— Dwayne David Paul (@DwayneDavidPaul)