This was why he was elected.....

[Honeycombe8]

Andrew Sullivan posted in his live blog:

"This was why he was elected, and we should not be swayed by the old Washington and the old ideologies and the old politics. He stands at the center urging a small shift to more government because the times demand it.

And he makes sense. And this was not a cautious speech; it was a reasoned but courageous speech. He has put his presidency on the line for this. And that is a hard thing to do."

This gave me a new perspective. I already knew the speech was a good one (great, even?). But I hadn't realized just how out on a limb Obama went, compared to other Presidents. And to have an orator like Obama go out on a limb was, well, something to see and hear.

I'm still scared about what may end up being in the bill. But I am in awe of just how close we are to getting something. Presidents and legislators, like Ted Kennedy, have been trying to do something about this for decades.

Yes, I remember, now. This was why I voted for him.

[Clio the Leo]

1. Welcome Andrew to the Club of "Never Give Up....."

"Never Give up HOPE!"

[cliffordu]

2. K&R

[firedupdem]

3. I connected with that speech like no other. I am so glad this man

was elected. He could have easily ignored this issue for a few years but he jumped right on it.

[Abe66]

4. I never needed to be reminded why I voted for him, but nice blog all the same.

:-)

[tblue]

5. Lovely post.

I feel the same. I was not looking forward to this speech. I thought he'd softball it. But, no. He addressed his critics head-on and gave their lies no quarter, though he held open for them the opportunity to be a part of the change that he will make happen with or without them. He is sticking his neck out for us, and that is what I've been waiting for him to do since inauguration day.

I always knew Obama was brilliant and talented and charismatic. Now I'm starting to believe he is truly a great human being. Maybe he's channeling a bit of Ted Kennedy and some Bobby, too.

[ginnyinWI]

6. he knows why he's in the White House.

And it's not to just sit around and play it safe.

Halfway through the speech, I knew he'd hit a home run. And seeing the glum Repubs sitting there confirmed it.

[morillon]

7. Just seeing him walk in put tears in my eyes.

And in my husband's eyes, too.

I have noticed for over a year that halfway through one of his speeches I find that my face hurts like HELL from smiling. I had that tonight, too, but I was in tears more than once.

[Honeycombe8]

8. Yes, I noticed how odd the Repubs faces looked. Boehner's orange face...all the dour faces...

they looked REALLY upset. They knew....they KNEW... just minutes into the speech that their gooses were cooked. That's why all the juvenile behavior. They wanted to do SOMETHING, anything.

For some reason, despite Obama being a truly likeable man, he really gets under their skin. Maybe it's BECAUSE he's so likeable (and makes sense)?

[Solomon]

9. It's cause he's good at what he does.