President Obama Sounded...Presidential.

[MineralMan]

It's a tough year to be giving a SOTU address. The GOOPers have taken control of the House, and the Senate is teetering on the edge. What's a President to do? Well, President Obama did it. He gave a speech full of cautious optimism and asked for some sort of cooperation between the opposing sides. He had few other choices, really.

The SOTU address was a speech to a deeply-divided country and a deeply-divided congress. Had he championed progressive concepts that have no hope of becoming law, he'd have deepened the divisions. Had he been pessimistic in his speech, he'd have done nothing but alienate everyone. So, he gave a Presidential-sounding speech. There were partisan parts of the speech that got some hand-sitting on the part of the GOOPers, and some other parts that had both sides standing and applauding.

The Presidency is a practical office...by necessity. Most years, the SOTU address is not a barn-raiser, full of lofty ideas and demands from the President that things be done his way or not at all. This year was one of those years. He did say he would veto any bill containing pork. He did take credit for DADT repeal (and got the GOOPers to sit on their hands). He called for educational excellence (always a safe bet), and said that troops would start coming out of Afghanistan this summer. He didn't condemn the Bush administration for starting those wars, but he mentioned the problems caused in the past 10 years with the economy, clearly calling out Bush on that.

It was a Presidential speech. For the President to get anything through this 112th Congress, there's going to have to be a lot of give and take, and big moves aren't going to happen, no matter how much we want them to happen. Demanding those big moves will do nothing to make them happen. So, the speech was fairly generic and optimistic, like SOTU addresses in most years. I expected nothing else. Now the work begins. I expect a lot of disappointment from people like me, who want big changes that improve the lot of most Americans. I expect a few smiles when something gets done that moves toward some of those changes.

I hope that we can turn around control of congress in 2012, and will work hard toward that goal, as we re-elect this President for a second term. If we succeed, the second term will be more productive. If we do not, then we can expect more of the same. The President of The United States must be Presidential. Anything less is unproductive.

[onehandle]

1. I just hope that Obama voters return in 2012 and notice that there are other Ds on the ballot. nt

[MineralMan]

2. Yes. When Democrats stay away from the polls because they're

not getting exactly what they want, we get Republican control of Congress. It's not a smart move. It really isn't.

[Tippy]

4. K&R...Called cutting off your nose despite your face

[redwitch]

32. to spite

not despite. Carry on.

[Tippy]

46. Stand corrected....Thanks

[Erose999]

5. Neocons and Neolibs are pretty much the same. I have yet to see how the Obama administration

would distinguish itself from a Huckleberry or Mittens administration.

[MineralMan]

7. I maintain that you must not be looking very closely, if you

believe that. I've seen many, many ways that the Obama administration has distinguished itself from the typical Republican administration. They've been discussed at length here during his tenure in office, so I won't list them again.

[SidDithers]

11. Then you're not paying attention...

or are being willfully ignorant.

Sid

[Erose999]

3. As least as "presidential" as Bush. Given that his speech was basically a more atriculate retread of

a Bush speech circa 2002.

[MineralMan]

6. Not really. Bush would never have said many of the things that

were in Obama's address. Perhaps reading the transcript would clarify it for you.

[Erose999]

13. Platitudes. Empty rhetoric. Idle talk. Bush talked about education and alternative energy too.

None of it meant anything.

[MineralMan]

17. OK. Whatever you say. I will continue to read what he said

closely and see what can come of this next two years. A divided Congress is going to make big progressive moves pretty much impossible. The President knows that, too. So, he's going to have to finesse this Congress into making some progress. Would you rather that he demanded what cannot happen? I wouldn't.

[Aleric]

39. Yes, yes I would

prefer he demand what the Republicans won't let happen. That's why they call it the "bully pulpit."

[SidDithers]

12. ...

Sid

[KharmaTrain]

8. Perceptions...

To those who don't like this administration there's precious little he can say that would change their impressions. If he promises and doesn't deliver, he's damned..if he doesn't mention at all then he's all evil times ten. It's a speech that has become a bellweather of Presidential support and almost always favors style over substance. This is especially the case this year where there will be little accomplished with the legislative and the administration attempts to tamp down expectations.

The more apt description would be "Presidential" as much as it is "Adult". The GOTB has gone so far off the abyss that being "Presidential" means being reasonable.

[MineralMan]

9. I like that "Adult" thing. Yes, President Obama does behave like

an adult. That's a very good thing. We need some adults in government. You're right, too, that opponents of President Obama on both sides of the political spectrum can always find something to criticize and nothing to praise in every communication coming from the White House. Thus has it always been.

I do not have unrealistic expectations of a President faced with a divided Congress. I cannot, while preserving my sanity.

[blindpig]

10. So did Ronald Raygun.

Apparently that means screwing the people sideways.

[MineralMan]

15. Uh-huh. The thing is that you have to actually listen to the

speech, read the transcript, and understand what is going on in the political world. If you do not, then your pre-conceived notions will always color your viewpoint.

What would have had President Obama say? What would have made you happy? Seems to me I heard a lot in that speech about ending subsidies to oil companies and moving toward minimal dependence on oil. Did I hear something the President didn't say? Did you hear that part?

[Aleric]

16. Talk is cheap. Look at his actions and inactions instead. n/t

[MineralMan]

18. I'd recommend the same course for you. Look at his actions and

achievments, then look at how difficult it's going to be to work with this Congress. Then, go vote in 2012 and work to get more Democrats elected, so we can do more. We live in a real world, and we need a real President who understands that world. I believe President Obama is just such a President. You can help or harm. It's your choice.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Aleric]

25. Thanks - I forgot those.n/t

[Aleric]

40. In case you're wondering

The above deleted post mentioned that Obama defended DOMA and DADT in court, failed to prosecute war crimes and generally gave the entire push administration a pardon.

But it got deleted because it used a bad word that implied that president we elected in 2008 pulled a bait and switch.

[MineralMan]

29. Try using his actual name, instead of a slur, and I'll give your post

some thought.

[Erose999]

31. The Obama I voted for in 2008 is not the one I got. This Obama is a fake, a forgery, a counterfit.

I'd like to swap it for another, please.

[Aleric]

37. Shame on you, you naughty, disobedient, impudent child.

You will speak when the DLC tells you what to say.

[Aleric]

24. You mean like

...letting his FBI run amok on peace activists in the midwest
...letting his TSA move this country one step closer to a police state
...leaving guantanamo open STILL
...capitulating to the republicans before the health care debate even STARTED
...letting the Comcast/NBC megamerger go forward?
...his cabinet choices
...his buying into Bush tax cuts, Bush corporate welfare and Reagan's war on drugs
...pushing for Executive control over the internet ala China

And before you point me to, http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/, I've seen it. Most of it is trivial or questionable.

Oh, and by the way - my taxes went up, not down. It only looks like they went down because he capitulated to the Republicans to rob social security in 2011. The former is a minor annoyance - except that he promised they wouldn't. The latter part is a major problem.

[Erose999]

30. Yeah, I'm bringing home $3 more per paycheck, but its just the witholding rate thats changed. My tax

rates will probably still be the same. The $400 "making work pay" credit is kinda nice, but Bush did similar credits and stimuli as well.

My wages have remained pretty much the same. My job security is disappearing.

[Aleric]

35. disappearing? Look again, it doesn't exist. That's an illusion. n/t

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[blindpig]

33. So, I should believe the President rather than my own lying eyes?

We have a different take on things, I think. The President speaks the language of the ruling class, I do not.

I fully understand what is going on in the 'political world'. The wealthy 1%(ruling class) is hell bent on squeezing every nickel out of the working class, coming and going. His omission of declaring Social Security inviolate tells me that it is going to take a hit.

To believe the speeches of any politician displays a lack of critical thinking.

[Aleric]

14. Yes it did. Very unfortunate. I was hoping for a leader instead.

But I suppose the DLC's corporate masters wouldn't like that.

[MineralMan]

19. Perhaps you are looking for a magician or someone who

has supernatural powers and is able to ignore the reality of a divided Congress. I don't know of anyone like that, really. If you do, please let us know who that is. Leadership is not confined to demanding what cannot occur. It is making things work, despite strong opposition. Leadership is for adults who understand reality.

[Aleric]

27. No I'd like one who has understands the constitution, executive power and antitrust law

Obama's actions have demonstrated that he either lacks an understanding of his power and responsibility or a disregard for the same.

[MineralMan]

28. No. He understands his power, and the limitations on it very

well. You just don't like those limitations. I want every branch of government to have limitations. It helps prevent tyranny.

[Aleric]

36. No it doesn't. The actions of the FBI and TSA ARE Tyranny.

You're just getting used to it by inches so you don't really notice it.

Gotta keep you safe, after all.

[Monique1]

20. Great Speech President Obama

[onethatcares]

22. well, if the president doesn't control anything,

what the hell were we thinking when we voted to have the house, the senate and the whitehouse? Jeez, this give and take is turning out to be our giving up things while the repubs take them even when we had majorities in government.

I realize that dadt repeal was important, but so is the educational system and that's being gutted from the ground up in order to kill another union.

I did not listen to the speech, I'm just over hearing President Obamas voice at this point. I'll read the transcript and look for some of that hope and change I voted for.

[MineralMan]

26. Read the Constitution, if you have a bit of time.

It is what it is. We have the system of government we have. The Founders deliberately created a weak Presidency, and balanced control of the federal government among three major branches, with the legislative branch divided between two houses of legislature. Why? To prevent tyranny, with which we were very familiar back then.

Understanding the system for what it is is a first step in understanding the politics of today. If you don't understand how our government operates, you will always be frustrated by its operations.

Truly, read the Constitution, from top to bottom. If you don't understand it after reading it, there are web sites that explain how the system works, too.

Here's a clue for you: A right-wing Republican President who has the power you seem to want President Obama to have would be an unmitigated disaster. We have balance to prevent tyranny. It doesn't always go the way you want, but you're don't represent the majority of this country. Nobody does. So, we balance things as best we can.

[Aleric]

34. I've got some land you might want to buy

You really think the Constitution explains it all huh?

You need to dig a lot deeper. The president has vast executive powers that Congress has granted him either explicitly or by not acting to restrain that power. The Congress has expanded it's own powers immensely through the commerce clause and the 'necessary and proper' clause. The courts as well, took to themselves the power of judicial review which was neither granted nor denied by the constitution (and was an active debate of the time. English courts still lack this power).

If this country actually worked the way I was taught in school it would be a very different place.

[MineralMan]

38. Really? Where is it and how much per acre.

I'll go inspect it and let you know.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

41. I was out so I wasn't able to watch it, but the comments were

interesting, to say the least. Those that don't like Obama and consider him insufficiently progressive didn't like the speech. Those that like him, did. I am reminded of a comment by Anais Nin: "We do not see things as they are; we see them as we are." We all view events through our own ideological prisms. Without having seen or read the speech myself, reading DU's various analyses makes me wonder whether there were two entirely different speeches delivered by two entirely different presidents in two entirely different parallel universes (of course, this doesn't take into consideration the actual parallel universes occupied by the GOP and Michele Bachmann).

And I don't particularly worry about this. The SOTU is Kabuki theatre - it always has been. The president says a bunch of stuff intended to make people feel good about the country and throws in a few vague promises and goals. It's a pep talk, mostly. It won't work on everybody (particularly the perpetually dyspeptic DUers), and those who didn't have their pet issues addressed sufficiently will be dissatisfied. The opposing party will say the president is taking the country in the wrong direction. And after a week or so it will be pretty much forgotten as the real world rears its ugly head and actual work has to be done.

In other words, the SOTU, always a vague symbolic pronouncement, doesn't really mean much. DU's collective panties are in a bunch, as usual, because Obama didn't light the GOP's ass on fire or magically morph into Dennis Kucinich. That's OK. What matters is what really gets done next, but getting things done will be difficult. As MineralMan correctly points out, the GOPers will oppose everything, just because they can and because they're assholes. We have to remember who the real adversary is.

Thanks, MM. Good work, as always.

[MineralMan]

42. Thanks. You're right. Most people have their minds made up

about these speeches, even before they're delivered. During the speech, hearing often becomes selective and only that which supports the pre-established attitudes is heard. Whatever you thought the speech would be is pretty much what it turns out to be.

I've listened to or watched every SOTU since Nixon was President. I do it slightly differently. I listen to the speech, but pay more attention to how the Congress is reacting. Then, when the transcript is available the next day, I read the speech and study what was actually said. After that, I form my opinion of the speech. This speech had nothing earthshaking in it, but I didn't expect it to. It was not that kind of speech. I thought the President did a good job of projecting optimism - something we've been sadly short of lately. I believe that was his goal. Now, the hard work starts, as you said.

[Aleric]

43. Obama didn't light the GOP's ass on fire or magically morph into Dennis Kucinich

ROFL! - I can not think of a more succinct or accurate summary of my opinion. But you get style points for that one!

[texpatriot2004]

44. How refreshing Obama is after years of "W" the shrub who

always sounded like an idiot.

[Scurrilous]

45. K & R

:thumbsup:

[texpatriot2004]

47. ditto to k & r nm

[Safetykitten]

48. That's all that matters apparently.