Washington ( CNN ) -- In a symbolic gesture toward more civil political discourse , Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer and Republican Sen. Tom Coburn said Sunday they will sit together at the upcoming State of the Union address . Appearing on the NBC 's `` Meet the Press , '' Schumer and Coburn called for political debate based on issues and ideology , rather than motives and personal attacks , in the aftermath of the Tucson , Arizona , shootings last week that killed six people and critically injured Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords . Schumer acknowledged that sitting with Coburn for the president 's annual speech to Congress would be symbolic , `` but maybe it just sets a tone and everything gets a little bit more civil . '' `` We believe in discourse in America , we believe in strenuous discourse , '' said Schumer , who is from New York . `` We do n't sweep differences under the rug . Tom and I have real differences , but we can do it civilly . '' Asked about the inflammatory political climate , Coburn rejected portrayals by some conservatives that President Barack Obama 's agenda is anti-American or intended to harm the country . `` What we ca n't question is the president 's love for our country , '' said Coburn of Oklahoma , later adding : `` When we get in trouble is when we question motive rather than ideology . '' Traditionally , Democrats and Republicans sit on different sides of the House of Representatives for the State of the Union address that also includes Cabinet members , military leaders , the Supreme Court and other government officials . Last week , Sen. Mark Udall , D-Colorado , sent a letter to congressional leaders suggesting that Democrats and Republicans sit together for the January 25 speech . `` As the nation watches , Democrats and Republicans should reflect the interspersed character of America itself , '' Udall wrote in the letter . `` Perhaps , by sitting with each other for one night , we will begin to rekindle that common spark that brought us here from 50 different states and widely diverging backgrounds to serve the public good . '' Other politicians also supported Udall 's call . `` Well , I think it 's a symbol , and a symbol is a very good place to start , '' Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York told the CBS program `` Face the Nation . '' `` And so if we can actually come into that chamber and instead of me going to the left , I go to the right , and the Republicans do the opposite , what you 're going to create is an image of the Congress deciding that we are going to work as a body , not as two separate sides . That 's a very good place to start . '' Republican Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona said he expected more civil debate in the wake of the Tucson shootings , even if the issues and `` the substance of the debate '' wo n't change . `` I think that we Republicans , and I think Democrats alike , will realize that if we tone down the rhetoric sometimes , our debate is more effective from our own side , '' Flake said on the CBS program . However , old habits die hard , Flake acknowledged . `` It 's easy to slip back into old ways , '' Flake said . `` I think we can have the debates we need to with a more civil tone . And , frankly , I think that we 'll find that that 's more effective from both sides . But keeping that into the future is going to be a tough thing . '' On the same program , outgoing Democratic Gov . Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania said a change in the hyper-partisan political discourse is necessary . Asked about the biggest changes during his two terms in office that end this week , Rendell said : `` In my eight years , I 've seen the level of partisanship and ideological posturing just increase and increase and increase and I think it 's tearing the fabric of our government apart . '' Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , D-Florida , said the tone may change , but not the intensity . `` I do n't plan to debate my values and the principles of my constituents any less vigorously , '' she said on the CBS program . `` But I think it starts with us , and we have to lead by example . And so I think all of us need to be more careful about the words that we choose to use . ''
NEW : Rules of debate should change , not change , they say . Democrat Romney , Republican Coburn want to encourage civil discourse . Romney says the the move may help tone down the rhetoric . Coburn says question ideology , not motives , of political foes .