People refrain from calling President Obama’s speech to Congress the “State of Union” because he just got into the White House—it seems longer and he is starting to show wear. I think Secretary Clinton is chuckling, “I told you so; Barrack is too nice to deal with these national and global kuckleheads; we need someone battle-tested and hard like me. I have been through some things.”
I am not surprised that Republicans are not supporting the President’s recovery programs as most Democrats would have done the same for McCain’s programs if the election results were different. President Obama, the Democrats and a few moderate Republicans should do what the people elected him to do. The Blue Dog Democrats will provide a reasonable level of fiscal restraint but put your cards on the table, let the chips fall where they may and all other applicable axioms.
“Prove them wrong” be prepared to deal with the consequences (success or otherwise) because supporters of supply-side economics will never back massive new taxes and trying to convince them is a waste of time and energy.
It’s like the frog cloaking the heron trying to sallow him; “never give up” is the code of the far-right and far-left.
President Obama will say tonight that the road back won’t be easy, we must all brace for hard times and things will get worst before getting better. If you are surprised by this message, you will surprise him because he said this throughout the campaign. Those voters who weren’t caught up in the emotions heard him all along—Obama might be Hillary-hard after all.
Project Logic Ga 
The one thing certain about the speech tonight is that Rep. Sanford Bishop will be on the aisle to shake the president’s hand like he has done with every president since coming to congress.
What a smooth move that looks great to the people watching at home in Georgia but bring some substantial details home because the Q and A might last all day.
President Obama made me proud tonight when he addressed regulatory reform because the out of control actions grew from little regs. I had to stand and applaud when he said that education starts at home.
As a rural south Georgia, I was not trying to hear the agriculture cuts—the farm bill is fine as is—-hey, people like to eat.
The end of tax breaks on the wealthiest 2% was big—again, if you make under $250K you won’t get hit a single dime. War cost in budget is the right thing and increasing vet benefits had me clapping. Health care reform is a must and keep the lobbyist out of the process.
Finally, Oprah needs to build a school for those kids in South Carolina now. Bottomline: great speech, can we make it happen?
Can Governor Jinal be president if he was conceived in India? Kidding aside, he has that smooth version of conservatism down pat. He is right that small business create new jobs. He wisely targeted Democrats in congress rather than the popular president. Jinal said people should not worry about losing their health care but so many people don’t have coverage to lose. Jinal was honest about GOP mistakes of the past.
I have a post over on my blog about the President’s speech last night: http://ricoexplainsitall.squarespace.com/politcs-economy/2009/2/25/president-obamas-speech-to-congress.html
Rico: you hit the nail on the head; the outline is great but the devil is in the details. These matters are complex and the consequences will be long reaching. The congress should perform it’s oversight function with hearings to ensure better policy.
As a south Georgian, it was learning that farm policy will be on the table because congress recently pass a farm bill that is “fair and balanced.” But, President Obama and Ag Sec. Vilack are from the mid-west and that region believes in hands-off ag production. You put the crop in the ground, harvest it and take it to market; if you can do that, find another job.
In the south, we know ag business is more complex and heavily dependant on lines of credit, price support and insurance. I would have preferred watching Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop walk in with cabinet as ag sec rather than greeting the president as a member of congress. When Georgia and the south had an opportunity to push for that appointment, only a few of us pushed hard. Now, here comes the hurt for Georgia’s biggest industry.
The speech was great.
I wish they didn’t clap so many times and for so long.
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got kindle?
Obama Speech To Congress: The Good, The Bad And Th…
Slyram, a black moderate Democratic blogger discusses President Barack Obama’s speech tonight before a joint session of Congress: “People refrain from calling President Obamas speech to Congress the ‘State of Union’ because he just got into the W…
President Obama’s comment regarding personal responsibility struck a chord with me. As well as ‘high school drop outs are no longer an option.’ Just as the outrage was rampant in some parts of the Black community regarding the NY Post cartoon, I wonder when there will be an outcry (from Black leaders or so-called leaders) of the number of young people who are involved with gangs, dropping out school and parents not taking responsibility for their children. We’ve got an excellent model (though be careful not to put the Obama’s on a pedestal. They’re human just like all of us), but I haven’t seen it catching on yet. I’ll be waiting.
I am excited about what’s next from President Obama: calling out deadbeats and deadweight. I have been saying for years that the conservatives and moderates in our community would like to address the problems by encouraging/forcing the weakest to shape up or better yet produce fewer unprepared people. Yes, I said it; thin the herd.
This folks don’t know the president at all. They see a young, hip brother looking all elegant in the White House. But, check his roots. My man was raised by corn-fed, salt of the earth hard working mid-westerns with mid-westerners fiber.
The President is an overachiever with little tolerance for excuses and weakness. One day soon, he is good to walk up to the mic (I am weary of the daily speeches) and tear certain segements of American society a new one.
I can’t wait. It is going to be good. And yes, some of that hot fire might hit close to home. Good, it needs to be said. And the California style-liberals are going to be numb.
My biggest concern with him at this point is the spending. Someone in the local paper said the his new dog should be call Trillion.