Open thread: State of the Union
Kari Chisholm
Tonight, President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address - his first since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives.
Use this space to discuss.
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6:57 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
I wonder if Boehner will turn on the water works.
1:21 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
He just about did, when Obama noted he swept the floors of a bar, and look where he is at now...
7:37 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Best moment of the SOTU? Obama: "Let's cut tax breaks for oil companies! They are doing good enough as is." (hesitant, dull applause)
Yeah. We know who is actually in charge...
1:22 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
Boehner did not clap for that one. He had that familiar look of a stick somewhere.
8:00 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
I liked the speech. I liked its tone of optimism and hope as well as it emphasis on the big challenges we face. I agree with his "the world has changed" theme and his recalling that "we do big things." We can.
9:14 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, or progressive or TEA Party or whatever you want to call yourselves and everyone else, the SOTU has gone the way of the major political party presidential nominating conventions: political theatre. They serve their purpose, but not the purpose for which they were historically intended.
9:15 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
...which was?
12:46 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
Party conventions were to nominate the presidential and vice presidential candidates. The candidate is now a foregone conclusion long before the conventions. Heck, they are a foregone conclusion long before Oregon holds its primary. Watching a convention to learn who the nominee selects for VP is not the same.
In the days before instant communication (radio, television and the internet) the framers designed the SOTU so members of Congress (who didn't spend their lives in DC) could get a regular update from the President. It trickled down (over weeks and months) in papers to the rest of the country, but it was a report to Congress. Now we get an instant count of standing ovations, which cabinet members nodded off and how well the speech was delivered. Reagan started adding "regular Joe" cameos sitting with Nancy to create applause lines. Great for an actor. Great for television. Not part of the framers intent for the SOTU. I say again, it is all political theatre. To steal a Seinfield line, "not that there's anything wrong with that." It's just different than its original purpose. Maybe the change is good. Maybe, sometimes, not so much.
1:07 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
I'm with ya on conventions.
But the "framer's intent" on the SOTU? It was a written report -- like an annual report. It wasn't a speech until 1913.
Personally, I could care less what the framers wanted. They couldn't imagine a world of television, internet, etc.
While the SOTU is certainly a political event, it's typically one of the most policy-heavy speeches that the president gives.
I do think it's a valuable exercise, in which the president provides an outline of his issue priorities, the Congress listens, and so does the nation.
It brings discipline to the administration, as well, forcing the president's team to decide what's most important among all the demands from the bureaucracy, outside allies, members of Congress, and others.
1:34 p.m.
Jan 26, '11
Well, I do tend to care about what the framers intended, but also believe strongly in the elastic claws principle of interpretation.
I'm pretty sure Washington delivered his SOTU's in person. I know it is not required to be a speech, but I'm not sure you are accurate that 1913 was the first time.
And, I agree with you that it is a valuable exercise. But brining disciple to the administration? When you compare SOTU's with performance -- R or D -- I think they are wish list and political theatre more than blue prints, perhaps owing more to congressional "input" than executive meandering afterwards.
9:15 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
I thought it was one of the best speeches of his presidency. Upbeat, hopeful, and yet specific and directed.
9:22 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Good speech. Optimism is good politics and good leadership. And it's a good antidote to rabid right hatred. 92% of those viewing the speech agreed, overwhelming positive response according to CBS polling.
10:26 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
I watched this at the Guild tonight, which was full of liberals. It was interesting to see which lines got applause. Obama was getting big love over the green initiative stuff at the start, but some of the pro-poor stuff got yawns.
Odd and ever so slightly dispiriting.
10:34 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Good speech. A little uneventful, but that's OK considering breaches of etiquette like last year's are what pass for eventful.
I could certainly get used to the mixed-party seating. The traditional party-line ovations always struck me as drone-like behavior.
Had fun watching it at Jesse Cornett's new bar (the Guild; seems like it could become kind of a sports bar for political wonks). It was packed, and Jesse was going full tilt. Nice work, Jesse!
I liked Obama's line about getting rid of tax breaks for oil companies. Liked it a lot. And I liked the mentions of small businesses and innovation. Though I guess that's pretty standard, right?
Oh, and it was a little surreal seeing the guy who fixes my car appear out of nowhere:
http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=129599579754399200
10:49 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
I thought it was interesting to receive emails directly afterwards from Wyden and Merkley, who seemed to be distancing themselves from the Prez and aligning themselves with the Tea Party... am I the only one?
10:55 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Wha? Quotes, please?
FWIW, I haven't seen any emails from Merkley and Wyden - and I'm pretty sure I'm on their lists.
11:09 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Merkley, via reax email:
“While the political landscape over the last two years may have changed, our mission to preserve America’s role as a light for the world has not. This evening, President Obama laid out a vision that centers not on divisive rhetoric or ideology, but on common aspirations for growth and renewal.
“America has the potential to lead the global economy, but only if we rebuild our own economy in a way that benefits all Americans. We need to invest in education and innovation in order to give every child the opportunity to thrive. And we need to promote manufacturing to boost job creation. The fact is – we won’t have a middle class in America if we don’t make things in America.”
“One specific opportunity for innovation and job growth that President Obama noted this evening is the development and adoption of electric vehicles in America. I’ve been working with Republican Senator Lamar Alexander to advance legislation along the lines of what President Obama proposed tonight to promote electric vehicle deployment. By building electric vehicle infrastructure and stimulating research and development we can strengthen national security, reduce global warming pollution, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
“I am, however, disappointed that President Obama did not directly address the foreclosure crisis that continues to harm American families, weaken communities, and hamper prospects for economic recovery. If job creation is truly a priority, we must move quickly to help families keep their homes and strengthen the housing market. We did not hear specific plans tonight to fix the foreclosure crisis, but I believe the Administration will partner with Congress to refocus efforts to assist families and recharge the economy.”
1:09 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
Perfectly reasonable.
No idea what Evan meant by "distancing" from Obama and "aligning" with the Tea Party.
1:16 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
I guess the last paragraph rubbed me the wrong way after the high of Obama's speech.
I still have no record of either email, which is weird. Not in the trash, which goes back days and days.
Wyden's really rubbed me the wrong way.
1:19 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
I voted for both of them, that's why I thought it was suspicious.
12:13 p.m.
Jan 26, '11
Merkley's last paragraph -- you're welcome to dislike it, but saying that it aligns him with the Tea Party is bizarre. They're certainly not fighting for foreclosure reform and regulation of the mortgage industry.
11:09 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
I only got a blip of the speech, but heard Obama say something about having a goal of being mostly free of fossil fuels by 2035!!! Presidents should be barred from making any predictions beyond their immediate term in office unless: (1) they are JFK or (2) they actually have some intention of aggressively working toward the goal. Sorry, but I got a little calloused on the long term goals after hearing Bush wax poetic about balanced budgets and hydrogen cars. I don't think Obama will have us any closer to energy independence by the end of his presidency than Bush did - mostly b/c he, like Bush, hasn't made it a priority. Just lip service.
11:37 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Wow. This is weird. Now I do not have either email in my inbox. I got exactly from Merkley what was posted as above, but can't find that, or the Wyden one, which was even worse.
What gives?
11:38 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
The Wyden one was going on and on about how out of control spending was.
11:39 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Damn I should have grabbed a screenshot!
11:49 p.m.
Jan 25, '11
Did I subconsciously and immediately delete them out of disgust, or is something sinister happening?
Seriously, does anyone else have these?
1:15 a.m.
Jan 26, '11
This isn't tech support. :)