While my wife and mother-in-law entertained two welcomed guests in our home tonight, I rudely hid in the bedroom to watch the SOTU address. I was curious to know how the POTUS would address the nation after a huge blow to his health care agenda (the MA senatorial race). After the speech ended, they asked, "how bad was it?"
"I thought it was pretty good," surprising myself. "Of the state of the union addresses I have watched, that was probably the best."
"What?" my wife jeered with a smile. "Have you become an Obama-lover?"
I was anxious to know how my opinion faired in comparison to the Fox News pundits. Fox is, of course, my go to source of thinkers who create opinions for me about topics that I care about but don't want to read about. Sadly, I can't think of anything I particularly like to read about unless it is a link from the Drudge Report.
About two seconds into Mr. Krauthammer's critique, I was disappointed to find that I was way off. It was obviously a really poor speech! I guess I stand corrected.
I'd love to hear what friends, family and acquaintances have to say about the speech tonight. Anyone? Was it right on key for all the independent voters out there? Was it liberal rhetoric as usual? Was it a lean to the Right?
Maybe more interesting is how you think televised pundits affect your opinion on matters of national debate.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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It's hard to put any weight into any SOTU -- it sounded good, it usually does, but if Members of Congress can't figure out how to compromise, it doesn't matter what POTUS wants. I am hopeful, but partisanship is so entrenched, my hope might really just be naivete.
ReplyDeleteLinsey, I agree. And I think earmarks are the only way Congress knows how to compromise. Ridiculous. I generally agree with the president's emphasis on transparency in congressional discussions. Who wouldn't, right? I liked the idea of an earmark website.
ReplyDeleteSince one Linsey threw in her two cents, this Lindsay will throw in hers :) Though it is not that different...the SOTU is about rhetoric and Obama spoke a lot of good rhetoric during the campaign, which has yet to help this nation rise above the partisan bickering. I think Obama wants to believe that he is trying to help the country do that, but I have not seen evidence that he really is--and yes, I've heard about his bipartisan deficit committee :)
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with the few times that he admitted responsibility for certain failures; he harped on the "this is what I inherited" less than I thought he might--even though I think he inherited some crappy stuff, I am ridiculously tired of hearing about it.
Overall, good enough speech, but we all know Obama can give good speeches. I want to know what else he can do.
I am so glad you started this blog. I realize it won't be all about politics but, I too find it hard to take the time to read all I should, so I feel less than knowledgable when it comes to current events in general. It will be nice to have a "go-to" place to read opinions and insights.
ReplyDeleteI went to the gym last night and most of the TV's were on the SOTU but, I wasn't in a position to listen, just saw that it was on. I was curious though about what Obama would say. I hope at least some of it is on youtube or hulu...I wonder.
Sorry, not a very good comment to "contribute" to the discussion.
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ReplyDeleteNice to have someone else say what I wanted to say so now I don't have to figure out a way to say it.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate many of the comments.
In particular, I too agree that the president has the talent to write/deliver a good speech etc. I however did not watch the delivery, but heard only a portion of it and I was very disappointed. I should explain that I expected disappointment - I'm generally so at odds with the president's methods of course correction and fixing things I expected to be bothered by what he said but not how he said it - and I was. I heard condescension and sarcasm. I imagined a quick witted “soc” with his entourage of wanna bes . If I saw it maybe my opinion would change.
What do you think? Do I need to "watch" it?
I listened to the numbers he quoted.
ReplyDelete"Because of the steps we took, there are about 2 million Americans working right now who would otherwise be unemployed. ... And we are on track to add another one and a half million jobs to this total by the end of the year."
How did they calculate that? I don't buy it.
I have never seen a SOTU that wasn't just a bunch of rhetoric. And yet...I was still disappointed. Obama is a good speaker, but I didn't hear any substance.
I agree with you, Jason - I watched the speech and thought, hmmm, not bad...and then I watched the post-speech stuff (and an NPR report this morning) totally rip it up. I just don't know what to think sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments!
ReplyDeleteLlcall (formerly known as "Larson" [sp?]), I agree. What can he do? And actually, I never really liked his speaking style, but for some reason I was impressed last night.
Becky, I'd say you're exempt from any responsibility to read if you're spending time at the gym. At least you're 1 for 2. I'm 0 for 2.
Aunt Hungry, I think it's interesting how powerful the visual presentation of a speech can change my perception of the content. It might be interesting to see if you're opinion is any different after watching it.
Bridget, NPR ripped up the speech? Interesting. I think the pundits, knowing they'll be expected to provide a witty critique on their respective programs, are much more attuned to contradictions and fact checking than the regular citizen might be.