I’m sure many of you watched the State Of The Union address last night – except those who played a drinking game, and were probably passed out or worshiping at the alter of the Porcelain Goddess 10 minutes in – but, I’ll admit, I missed about 2/3rd’s, as I was watching the Devils/Sabres game (a really good one!), then was reading with ye olde new Kindle 2 with about an 1/8th of an ear to the speech. One thing that did enter the conciseness was this
But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day. We can’t wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about the other side -– a belief that if you lose, I win.
Of course, the rest of the paragraph was also meant to be a shot at Republicans for obstructing Obama’s outsourced agenda (despite having filibuster proof majorities or something.)
And what did I receive in my email at 2:55am?
William —
I just finished delivering my first State of the Union address.
I set out an urgent plan for restoring economic security for struggling middle class families. This is my top priority, but I cannot do it alone — and that’s why I’m writing to you now.
Tonight, I called on Congress to enact reforms and new initiatives to defend the middle class — to create millions of new jobs, support small businesses, and drive up wages; to invest in the education of our children and the clean energy technology that must power our future; and to protect the economy from reckless Wall Street abuses.
And I made my position on health reform clear: We must not walk away. We are too close, and the stakes are too high for too many. I called on legislators of both parties to find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.
I have no illusions — there have been setbacks, and there will be more to come. The special interests who have shaped the status quo will keep fighting tooth and nail to preserve it.
So tonight, I’m asking you to join me in the work ahead. I need your voice. I need your passion. And I need your support.
Can you help fuel our fight for the middle class with a monthly donation of $15 or more?
Seriously? He’s using his SOTU address to raise money? With a special SOTU webpage? Maybe he should listen to the words that came out of his own mouth.
More: A few quick reactions about the speech
If substance was the main take-away of this address, it would have been merely mediocre. But what made it downright harmful for Obama and Democrats was its tone. The speech was defensive and petulant, backward-looking and condescending, petty and graceless. He didn’t persuade people; he lectured them. What was on display last night was a man of unsurpassed self-righteousness engaged in constant self-justification.
Barack Obama has lost his promise. He has lost his momentum. He has lost his touch. He has lost his filibuster-proof Senate majority. He has lost his first year in office.
Tonight, he lost his grip on reality.
For my money, it was too kumbaya and not enough brass tacks, but that’s what I usually think about Obama’s speeches.
Interestingly, the biggest thing to come out of the snoozefest was Justice Alito mouthing “not true.”
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU
