If you missed it you can find video here and a transcript here.
President Obama got off to a rocky start. Who didn't notice the President stepping on the Speaker's introduction. It seemed to me that throughout the non-State-Of-The-Union, the President was extremely uncomfortable with all of the applause and hoopla. As the speech progressed, I noted several instances where Obama seemed to cut the applause short by continuing his speech. It was as if he was saying, 'Look folks, we've got important things to talk about here and you can't keep interrupting me...'
However, after a few bumps, the President started to hit his stride. Here are what I feel were the most notable moments:Tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild. We will recover. And the United States of America will re-emerge stronger than before.
Right off of the bat, only a few moments into the introduction, he hits the note that Americans want need to hear. We have been through a lot in our nation's history, and we'll get through this too.
The President breaks out the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act early. But, what I thought was interesting was this line:There are 57 police officers who are still on the streets in Minneapolis tonight because this plan prevented the layoffs their department was about to make.
While much of the reasoning for the ARARA seemed quite reminiscent of Obama's campaign talking points, it was this line that reassured me that he is not running a campaign. This is what more of politics needs to be; a bridge from Washington to Main Street. By explaining, in very clear terms, that the stimulus saved 57 law enforcememnt jobs in Minneapolis, I have a better understanding of how real people see real results. I'm not saying that I agree with 100% of the plan -- I am merely saying that the President didn't just 'tell' us what the plan was doing... he 'showed' us.
"Nobody messes with Joe." Ugh. Cheesy. However, the message was good: Anyone who receives stimulus monies will be held accountable for every dollar they spend. Governors, state legislatures, mayors, etc. Oversight is EXTREMELY important for this economic recovery plan to work. Oversight combined with transparency.
"It's not about helping banks, it's about helping people." Damn right.
Super-money quote:My budget does not attempt to solve every problem or address every issue. It reflects the stark reality of what we’ve inherited – a trillion dollar deficit, a financial crisis, and a costly recession. Given these realities, everyone in this chamber –- Democrats and Republicans – will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me.
My guess is that this will be a much-quoted line from the speech. Obama is cutting the fat. He's saying 'Look, I know there are a ton of pet-projects for which you want to get funding -- I have them too. But we need to cinch up our belt and make some sacrifices. All of us.' Indeed.We are a nation that has seen promise from peril and turned opportunity from ordeal. We must be that nation again.
And this cuts to the heart of the matter. We have been down this road before. While our great nation has seen it's share of triumphs, it has also fought through varied adversity. This crisis is no different. Politics aside, we must all chip-in if we are to get through these tough times.I ask every american to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training... dropping out of high school is no longer an option. it's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country. This country needs and values the talents of every American.
Awesome. And he's right. If our children are to truly compete in the global economy, education is the key. There can be no negative in furthering one's education.In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent. ... Responsibility for our children's education begins at home.
Personal responsibility. No matter what programs the government puts in place, nothing is more successful at raising a child than a good parent.Living our values doesn’t make us weaker, it makes us safer and it makes us stronger. And that is why I can stand here tonight and say without exception or equivocation that the United States of America does not torture.
This should have been said years ago.
All in all, a great speech. A great show of understanding. I feel much more comfortable with 'porkulus' (as nearly everyone on the blogroll at Pajamas Media likes to call it) than I have in weeks. The rhetoric was lofty, but not above the listener. The speech was not filled with campaign-style inspirational jargon. Rather it spoke directly to the members of Congress in the room, and those of us watching at home. Still, the question remains; can he/we do it? Can the President fulfill all of the lofty goals that he has set for himself and the country? Can we, as a country, step-up and do what is necessary to pull our nation out of the rut in which we find ourselves?
The bottom line: lace up your boots America. Let's get to work.
After all, "We are not quitters."
The Pajama Pundit - Founder/Editor
11 comments:
Great write up PJ!
The only annoying part was Pelosi. I think she highlighted parts of the speech so she would know when to stand up and cue the applause line. There were a couple times where she started clapping before Obama finished his point...
She annoys me. :)
It was a fantastic speech. I missed the first stumbles you talked about; I only caught all of the inspiring call for action. Frankly, I was a little annoyed by all the clapping too. Congress needs an applause sign for this guy. Honestly, everything good about Obama aside, it's so wonderful to have a president fluent in English.
What about Mr. Rogers..err...Kenneth the Page...er, I mean Jindal?
not gonna lie, I got teary on the one year higher education quote.
Yeah, he's absolutely right that we need to hit energy, health care, and education big and hard. They're all an embarrassment to America at the moment, and they're all things we can fix.
I loved the fact that for most of the speech Republicans were also giving standing ovations. Of course I'm sure that by this morning they had gone back to being the NO party and the Dems have gone back to being the "Gimie" party. Somehow Obama needs to rope both parties into playing together nicer, and I'm not sure why but I have this itch in me that tells me that Reid and Pelsoi need a change of career in order for that to happen. The more I think about it the more I feel like those two were just as much a hindrance to the stimulus package as the republicans were.
Everytime I see this picture...that green thing in the corner makes me shiver.
Things that make you go...blugh (thank you Ron White).
lol, that green thing.
Ron White rules!
Somehow Obama needs to rope both parties into playing together nicer, and I'm not sure why but I have this itch in me that tells me that Reid and Pelsoi need a change of career in order for that to happen. The more I think about it the more I feel like those two were just as much a hindrance to the stimulus package as the republicans were.
Yes, yes, and YES. For those of us independents who like Obama as a practical, determined leader, Pelosi and Reid feel like major roadblocks to progress (and have for years, really). I'd love to see them gone.
1. Yes. Ron White does indeed rule.
2. Green thing -- HA!
3. Vast & Jitter have hit the proverbial nail on it's head. I'm not saying that there isn't blame to go around, because there is, but I think that the Democratic leadership have made things a bit more difficult on the President of late.
It's not too late to jump on the bandwagon that's bashing Pelosi and Reid, is it? If not, I'm on board. I have a hard time supporting these two. I think they get too wrapped up in partisanship and backroom dealing to be effective. I find them to be fairly inconsistent and ineffective was "selling" their points of view. I also agree that Obama has a more difficult time achieving his goals with these two people running congress. I never liked the selection of Reid and I quickly soured on Pelosi.
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