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My take on Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address

January 27, 2010

  I found Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address to be interesting to say the least. Most political experts, and amateur political bloggers like myself, thought that Barack Obama would move to the center in this speech in an attempt to reconnect with the American people in the wake of Scott Brown’s election to the senate.

  He did try to move to the center on some issues; he tried to claim that he is a tax cutting president and that there will be more tax cuts coming in the future. He also claimed that he is in favor of increasing nuclear power and drilling for more oil off of our shores– positions that President Bush also held, but were mocked by the Democrats in congress. These are all issues designed to appeal to the people that are to the right of the president. He even tried to compare himself to Ronald Reagan at one point.

  But he didn’t move to the center on all issues; as a matter of fact he remained true to some of his more leftists ideas. He urged congress to continue to work towards passing the healthcare reform bill that he knows the American people oppose and he also announced that he still supports the cap and trade bill that the House passed earlier this year. These are leftists ideals that are out of touch with the American people, yet he continues to support them.

  He also announced that he would work towards appealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the military. This is an issue in which I may differ with most conservatives. I don’t give a damn what anyone does in their personal life– it is none of my business, I suppose that is the libertarian in me. If a person is gay, and that person wants to defend the United States of America and her ideals, I will stand behind that person and say thank you for your service.

  In the end, I see this speech as Barack Obama once again trying to be all things to all people. He moved to the center on some issues while remaining on the left on other issues, hoping to try to gain support of the tea party people without alienating his far left base.

  This may have worked during the campaign, when most of the voters didn’t know who he was, but now that he has a record people know exactly who he is and what he stands for.

   It is time for him to stop blaming President Bush– it really is unbecoming of the president– for all of his problems, and accept responsibility for his problems. Until he takes this basic step there is no way the American people will take him seriously. Barack Obama needed to nail this speech in order to stave off huge losses in the midterm elections. Did he pull it off? I don’t think so, what do you think?

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8 Comments leave one →
  1. Dominique's avatar
    January 27, 2010 11:56 pm

    I will be up front and say I didn’t watch his speech. I just can’t stomach any more ‘broken promises.’ I just don’t believe what comes out of his mouth anymore and I don’t think his first and primary concern is ‘we the people.’

    It sounds like he did what I thought he would do and that is try to be everything to everyone. I would have though at this point of his term, he would have come to learn that you can’t do that.

    His continuing with the healthcare and cap and trade despite what that ‘we the people’ have clearly spoken, and spoken loud, is astonishing to me.

    His continuation of the ‘blame Bush’ mantra is also disappointing. I think you nailed it when you said it is no longer ‘presidential.’ Exactly.

    I guess from here out, it will be a wait and see game as usual.

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  2. TexasFred's avatar
    January 28, 2010 10:38 am

    Folks that didn’t listen, and then engage in criticism, are a lot like the folks that don’t vote and then bitch about the guy in office..

    Obama hasn’t got a clue when it comes to managing America. He didn’t write the speech he gave last night. He wouldn’t know where to start. Barack Hussein Obama has never held a job, never owned or managed a business, never been a producer of anything other than a line of political bullshit! Now he thinks he can manage the United States and dictate policy to the entire world!

    I also watched and listened as the new Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, gave the GOP response to Obama’s load of crap. I couldn’t help but notice the way the GOP staged their *BIG TENT* affair to flaunt their all inclusiveness, as well as their racial and sexual diversity.

    McDonnell was flanked by an Asian male and a Black female. Yes Sir, that’s getting the message across. Nothing subliminal about that!

    The reason that the GOP is the wreck it is right now is because of this *BIG TENT* mentality. I, for one, am damned tired of the GOP being a *BIG TENT*, and nothing more than Dem Lite!

    There’s nothing wrong with sexual and/or racial diversity, but when the all powerful Political Correctness has to be embraced before the GOP can give an, at best, lukewarm response to the Obama SOTU address?

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  3. Rick's avatar
    Rick permalink
    January 28, 2010 4:30 pm

    You got that right TF
    The GOP is nothing more then DEM Lite.
    Obama reminded me of a Parent scolding his kid with a long winded empty speech while his kid is rolling the eyes.
    How many times did he say “Thats right” like yea you idiot thats right
    He’s going to take money from the BIG banks and give it to the small Banks? That’s right you don’t like it?
    He’s going to double our exports in 2010? What… just send it over there without a buyer? That’s right
    Cut taxes for 95% of Americans? Then why did my taxes go up for 2010?

    Click to access p15t.pdf

    Click to access n1036.pdf

    2 million workers still have their jobs because of what Obama did?
    10 million workers still have their jobs because of what I did Prove me wrong!
    We were sent here to serve the people? No S@#t but it took an upset in Mass to get you to come down from your high horse.
    Not that I disagree with everything he said but he is clearly lying when he implies the fundamental decency of the American people is what keeps him going.
    Get ready for the Dems to start using the term “The people”
    It is not Democrat or Republican it’s “the people”
    As though they care. They have been exposed. They only want to grow Government and the HELL with the People
    They have proven that’s what they really think.
    SO my take is:
    Look past the rhetoric and look at the actions.

    Like

  4. Richard's avatar
    January 28, 2010 6:39 pm

    The President lost me at the beginning when he lamented how hard it was to read the children’s letters each night before going to bed. Please…. It’s hard to know where to start with all the lies and cheer leading that took place last night instead of an actual State of the Union Address.

    We do not want the healthcare solutions being tossed around in Washington DC. We are not close at all on this ridiculous 2000 page pork fest and Massachusetts is the first of many upsets that will occur for both parties as a result of turning a deaf ear on the people.

    Also, what tax cuts? A temporary first time home buyers credit for a select few paid for by people like me is not a tax cut. Tax cuts are across the board for all people and not conditional or sunset. I also footed the bill for the beyond belief “cash for clunkers” debacle that went to a select few. Again, this is not a tax cut.

    Thank God the Supreme Court finally got one right; we the people still have free speech and can organize for or against politicians using what ever media is available to scream from the roof tops. Obama has the nerve to threaten us with promises to legislate his way around the Supreme Court.

    I could go on, but the State of the Union is that the Union is in near disarray and bankruptcy. Cut federal spending, cut federal programs, cut taxes, cut federal employment, and cut federal bureaucracy. The states must come together and take back the power and authority that is constitutionally theirs to put us back on the right track. Congress cannot save us by legislating more control and money to Washington.

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  5. rjjrdq's avatar
    January 28, 2010 8:31 pm

    I hear you Texasfred. That McDonnell looked like a robot with that response. I don’t want the McCains and the Steeles and the Gingrichs coming along in November. I want real people. The Doug Hoffmans, the J.D. Hayworths (who is going after McCains seat)-those kind of people. This radical congress has to go, but the GOP is going to f-it up all over again. America needs to realize-and fast that it’s these clowns who helped propel the Dems to power in the first place.

    Like

  6. Deb's avatar
    Deb permalink
    January 29, 2010 5:16 pm

    Your a braver man than I, Mr. P E. Just the parts that I have heard and seen, YIKES!!! First of all, Nan is very distracting. She scares me, she looks crazy! ANd the president himself– seemed angry, defensive, and almost like he was stomping his feet like a 7 yr old having a caniption fit. And S., you sound like he actually meant and believed everything he said. I don’t exactly believe everything he says, ya know? I’m with Sam. Just shaking my head wouldn’t have been my reaction, though– I would have embarrassed myself and said something like– “check, please!” And, for anyone who is a fan of Jeff Dunham— didn’t Biden look exactly like Walter?

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    • Steve Dennis's avatar
      January 30, 2010 7:25 am

      It wasn’t easy, but watching Pelosi and Biden in the background provides some comic relief. Watching him scowl most of the time thinking he should be the one giving the speech and watching the Jack in the box Pelosi spring up every so often is kind of fun.

      Like

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