WHY WOULD ANYONE STOP THE FIGHT?:

Witnesses: Waters shoves Obey on House floor (GLENN THRUSH, 6/26/09, Politico)

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) engaged in a late-afternoon shouting match on the House floor after Obey reportedly rebuffed Waters on an earmark request, aides and witnesses said.

Witnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it appeared that Waters pushed or shoved Obey.

The pair were seen shouting at each other and had to be separated by members — who were crowded on the floor casting final votes before heading off to a party at the White House.