Obama's first State of the Union

[Ceepa]

I actually crashed at 8:30 last night so I didn't see any of it yet, but thought I'd start a thread for those who have any reaction.

Thoughts?

[Ceepa]

Here's a YoutTube link to the broadcast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1PWQtCDaYY&feature=featured

And the transcript

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-state-union-address

[fortato]

My only real thought is that Nancy Pelosi needs a seat belt.

[JBaxter]

My only real thought is that Nancy Pelosi needs a seat belt.

Yup.. and I dont think the supreme court was any to happy with him.

[BabyMine]

Yup.. and I dont think the supreme court was any to happy with him.

They looked downright pissed when he mentioned they reversed the decision about campaign contributions and how unhappy he was with that. My favorite part is when he mentioned Tampa ( where I live ) and that he was giving us 2.5 billion for a high speed rail. Yeah jobs!!!!. I noticed that Biden's tie matched Pelosi's outfit. Mrs. Obama didn't look happy when the camera kept panning to her.

[JamiMac]

My only real thought is that Nancy Pelosi needs a seat belt.

:hysterical:

[wendibird22]

The only thing more glaring than the look on the justices faces was the look on the military leader's faces when Obama talked about repealing don't ask, don't tell. I'm pretty sure if they had laser eyes Obama would have burst into flames!

[maestramommy]

The only thing more glaring than the look on the justices faces was the look on the military leader's faces when Obama talked about repealing don't ask, don't tell. I'm pretty sure if they had laser eyes Obama would have burst into flames!

Missed it, and haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but good for him! That had to be one of the worst pieces of legislation ever.

[Laurel]

Missed it, and haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but good for him! That had to be one of the worst pieces of legislation ever.

:yeahthat:

[citymama]

Yup.. and I dont think the supreme court was any to happy with him.

Sam Alito does not equal the Supreme Court! (Thankfully)

Did everyone see Sandra Day O'Connor's comments (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/us/politics/27judge.html?scp=1&sq=sandra%20day%20o%27connor&st=cse)about the appalling SC ruling on campaign finance? :applause:

I missed the State of the Union address but will take a look on youtube - thanks for the link!

[mommylamb]

I have a confession... I've been suffering from terrible insomnia all week and I fell asleep during State of the Union... and I've been in meetings all day so I haven't had a chance to watch it.

[vonfirmath]

Except Alito's (unvoiced) comment was actually right. The Supreme Court ruling did not relate to or countermand the 1996 law that makes it illegal for foreign nationals and foreign corporations to contribute to campaigns. It was about the First Amendment rights and the mcCain-Feingold law of 2002.

You can read the text of the decision under Recent Decisions on the Supreme Court website (http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf)

The Opinion of the Court starts on p8

[alien_host]

This is a little OT, but does anyone think it was strange that many people were getting Obama's autograph as he was leaving? I just found it a strange place to be asking him to do that..."excuse me Mr. President, but could you sign my State of the Union program please?"

[Reyadawnbringer]

This is a little OT, but does anyone think it was strange that many people were getting Obama's autograph as he was leaving? I just found it a strange place to be asking him to do that..."excuse me Mr. President, but could you sign my State of the Union program please?"

:hysterical:

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

Ohio is getting a train system that goes just a teeny bit faster than a car? A $400 million "investment" that I predict will be a huge white elephant and very expensive for taxpayers to maintain. Soon we'll be bailing out Greyhound. I think the typical Ohio taxpayer is not enthused at all.

[AnnieW625]

I didn't see it, DD wanted to watch Ni Hao Kai Lan instead. I gave in. CA needs $2.5 billion for high speed rail too so maybe next year he'll be nice to us too! I love the NP comments. I did notice the Joe Biden/NP matching wardrobe thing though for the 5 minutes I had it on!

[lchang25000]

My only real thought is that Nancy Pelosi needs a seat belt.

:hysterical:

[lchang25000]

I have a confession... I've been suffering from terrible insomnia all week and I fell asleep during State of the Union... and I've been in meetings all day so I haven't had a chance to watch it.

I fell asleep also. :DDH watched every bit of it since he was interested in what Obama was going to say about healthcare reform since it would directly affect him.

[Moneypenny]

Ohio is getting a train system that goes just a teeny bit faster than a car? A $400 million "investment" that I predict will be a huge white elephant and very expensive for taxpayers to maintain. Soon we'll be bailing out Greyhound. I think the typical Ohio taxpayer is not enthused at all.

My state is getting a train system, too, but it goes 100 mph. I wonder why ours is faster? Most people here are pretty excited about it, but the route it will take is a very common commuter route and is generally a 90 minute drive, so it will have a benefit to a lot of people.

[sewarsh]

:hysterical:

Yes!! she's way to quick to jump up.
and Yes, they HAD to have planned hte matching outfits.
even my DH noticed.

other than that, i didn't much else out of the SOTU.

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

I didn't see it, DD wanted to watch Ni Hao Kai Lan instead. I gave in. CA needs $2.5 billion for high speed rail too so maybe next year he'll be nice to us too! I love the NP comments. I did notice the Joe Biden/NP matching wardrobe thing though for the 5 minutes I had it on!

Annie, the amt Ohio was "given" ( yeah, right) will build a system that goes approx 79 mph, any upgrade of that would be at taxpayer expense, if my understanding is correct. It reminds me of our mayor whop was lobbying hard for cable cars in dying downtown Columbus while we are cutting teachers and firemen. To me, completely out of touch with what people of Ohio want.

[MissyAg94]

The only thing more glaring than the look on the justices faces was the look on the military leader's faces when Obama talked about repealing don't ask, don't tell. I'm pretty sure if they had laser eyes Obama would have burst into flames!

Sorry, but I didn't see this at all. They always sit there without emotion during SOTU addresses. The Chiefs of Staff and the CJCS were quite aware that this coming. The President's stating such was not a surprise to them at all. I think you mistook their stoicism for anger. It would be extremely unprofessional of them to give any public indication as to how they feel about the CINC's policies. And believe me, those guys didn't get to where they are by being unprofessional.

[larig]

This is a little OT, but does anyone think it was strange that many people were getting Obama's autograph as he was leaving? I just found it a strange place to be asking him to do that..."excuse me Mr. President, but could you sign my State of the Union program please?"

this is common practice. from WA post live Q&A analysis of state of union there was this exchange.

Washington: Does the president normally sign autographs as he's leaving?

Robert G. Kaiser: Yes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/01/25/DI2008012502591.html

I need to watch the speech more closely. But from what I caught...

I thought his section on civil rights was a home run. And I agree with PP, those generals were not taken by surprise here.

in terms of the stylistic nature of the speech, it was textbook how he framed things and anticipated what those who disagree with him would say about his point of view and explained how they were wrong and he is right. The quote below is perfect example...
You see, Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China’s not waiting to revamp its economy. Germany’s not waiting. India’s not waiting. These nations aren’t standing still. These nations aren’t playing for second place. They’re putting more emphasis on math and science. They’re rebuilding their infrastructure. They are making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.

Well I do not accept second-place for the United States of America. As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it’s time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.

"washington has been telling US." he's just in that statement said he's not washington, and he's one of us. (textbook us-theming).

next paragraph. If you don't agree with him, then you must want America to be second-place. It's great speech writing. A discourse analyst has a field-day with this stuff. political speeches are so fun to dig into.

[citymama]

larig, i love your comments. now i want to listen to this speech!

[larig]

thanks citymama you're very kind. I do a lot of textual analysis for my work, but analyzing political texts is a sort of natural extension/hobby of mine I find it really fun. Language is amazingly powerful.