IN FOCUS: STATS- Live Blogging the President's Address -
NYT, 1-27-10
- FACT CHECK: Obama and the 'hatchet' job:
President Barack Obama, who once considered government spending freezes a hatchet job, told Americans on Wednesday
it's now part of his solution to the exploding deficit. He didn't explain what had changed.
His State of the Union speech skipped over a variety of complex realities in laying out a" common-sense" call to action.... -
AP, 1-27-10
- Americans Want Obama to Spend More Time on the Economy, Poll Finds:
On the eve of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, voters think the president should be spending
more time on the economy.
According to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, 51% of Americans believe Mr. Obama has paid"too little attention"
to the economy. Forty-four percent think he has paid"too much attention" to his proposed overhaul of health care.
A plurality continues to think that Mr. Obama's health-care plan is a bad idea.... -
WSJ, 1-26-10
- Obama: Most polarizing president in history?:
The Gallup Poll people delivered an interesting report today: President Obama was the most polarizing first-year
president in history.
The average difference in Obama's approval ratings between Democrats and Republicans turned out to be 65 percent --
the highest first-year gap of any president so measured.... -
USA Today, 1-25-10
- Date for State of Union, January 27, 2010:
President Obama will deliver his first State of the Union address on Jan. 27.
The White House announced Monday that the president would speak to a joint session of Congress next
Wednesday at 9 p.m. -
NYT, 1-18-10
THE HEADLINES....POLITICAL QUOTES- Text: Obama's State of the Union Address:
The prepared text of President Obama's State of the Union address, delivered Jan. 27, 2010, as released by the
White House.... -
NYT, 1-27-10
- Obama's State of the Union Address, Excerpts:
America prevailed, because we chose to move forward as one nation and one people....
One year later, the worst of the storm has passed, but the devastation remains....
I have never been more hopeful about America's future than I am tonight. Despite our hardships, our union is strong.
We do not give up. We do not quit....
Our most urgent task upon taking office was to shore up the same banks that helped cause this crisis. It was not
easy to do. And if there's one thing that has unified Democrats and Republicans, it's that we all hated the bank
bailout. I hated it. You hated it. It was about as popular as a root canal....
From the day I took office, I have been told that addressing our larger challenges is too ambitious – that
such efforts would be too contentious, that our political system is too gridlocked, and that we should just put
things on hold for awhile. For those who make these claims, I have one simple question: How long should we wait?....
I know there have been questions about whether we can afford such changes in a tough economy; and I know that
there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change. But even if you doubt
the evidence, providing incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our
future – because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.
And America must be that nation....
Now let's clear a few things up: I didn't choose to tackle this issue to get some legislative victory under my
belt. And by now it should be fairly obvious that I didn't take on health care because it was good politics....
I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people. And I know that with all
the lobbying and horse-trading, this process left most Americans wondering what's in it for them....
Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish
the job for the American people....
Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it's time to try something
new. Let's try common sense – a novel concept....
But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day. We cannot wage a perpetual
campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about their opponent – a belief
that if you lose, I win. Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can. The
confirmation of well-qualified public servants should not be held hostage to the pet projects or grudges of a few
individual Senators. Washington may think that saying anything about the other side, no matter how false, is just
part of the game. But it is precisely such politics that has stopped either party from helping the American people.
Worse yet, it is sowing further division among our citizens and further distrust in our government....
To Democrats, I would remind you that we still have the largest majority in decades, and the people expect us
to solve some problems, not run for the hills. And if the Republican leadership is going to insist that sixty
votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town, then the responsibility to govern is
now yours as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership....
We can argue all we want about who's to blame for this, but I am not interested in re-litigating the past.
So let's put aside the schoolyard taunts about who is tough. Let’s reject the false choice between protecting our
people and upholding our values....
This year I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the
right to serve the country they love because of who they are....
I campaigned on the promise of change – change we can believe in, the slogan went. And right now, I know there
are many Americans who aren't sure if they still believe we can change – or at least, that I can deliver it.
But remember this – I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation
of three hundred million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make
big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That's just how it is....
We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade
stretches before us. We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment – to start anew, to carry the dream
forward, and to strengthen our union once more. -
NYT, 1-27-10 - Obama adds some humor to State of the Union speech:
Referring to his struggles in getting a health care bill passed, Obama said dryly:"By now, it should be fairly
obvious that I didn't take on health care because it was good politics." The lawmakers liked that one.
When Obama introduced first lady Michelle Obama, she sat respectfully in the gallery while others applauded.
The president poked a little fun, saying:"She gets embarrassed."
And when Obama announced he wanted to hold monthly meetings that included Republican leaders, he looked at them
and said:"I know you can't wait." -
AP, 1-27-10 - Text The Republican Response to the State of the Union:
The prepared remarks that Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell of Virginia is expected to say after President
Obama delivers his State of the Union address, as released by the governor's office... -
NYT, 1-27-10
- McDonnell hammers White House on spending, health care:
Last year, we were told that massive new federal spending would create more jobs 'immediately' and hold unemployment
below 8 percent....
In the past year, over three million Americans have lost their jobs, yet the Democratic Congress continues deficit
spending, adding to the bureaucracy, and increasing the national debt on our children and grandchildren....
And our solutions aren't thousand-page bills that no one has fully read, after being crafted behind closed doors
with special interests....
But this administration's policies are delaying offshore production, hindering nuclear energy expansion, and seeking to impose job-killing cap and trade energy taxes,"
we agree that victory there is a national security imperative....
But we have serious concerns over recent steps the administration has taken regarding suspected terrorists.
Americans were shocked on Christmas Day to learn of the attempted bombing of a flight to Detroit. This foreign
terror suspect was given the same legal rights as a U.S. citizen, and immediately stopped providing critical
intelligence....
Government should have this clear goal: Where opportunity is absent, we must create it. Where opportunity is
limited, we must expand it. Where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone.
Our Founders pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to create this nation.
Now, we should pledge as Democrats, Republicans and Independents--Americans all---to work together to leave
this nation a better place than we found it. -
Richmond Times Dispatch, 1-27-10 - Reaction to the State of the Union address -
CNN, 1-27-10
- Sen.-elect Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts): "I was pleased to hear President Obama acknowledge that our economy must be a national priority and I applaud him
for taking some important first steps. But putting America back to work requires bold action. Bold action means
broad-based tax cuts for families and businesses to create jobs and not merely targeted tax relief. Bold action
also means major reform and restructuring to actually cut spending and not just freeze it. I look forward to working
with my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle on far-reaching new initiatives that will put our economy
back on track and get our fiscal house in order." -
CNN, 1-27-10
- Sen. John McCain (R - Arizona): "In his State of the Union address, President Obama asked Congress to repeal the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.
I am immensely proud of, and thankful for, every American who wears the uniform of our country, especially at a
time of war, and I believe it would be a mistake to repeal the policy."This successful policy has been in effect for over 15 years, and it is well understood and predominantly
supported by our military at all levels. We have the best trained, best equipped, and most professional force
in the history of our country, and the men and women in uniform are performing heroically in two wars. At a time
when our Armed Forces are fighting and sacrificing on the battlefield, now is not the time to abandon the
policy." -
CNN, 1-27-10
- John McCain on the State of the Union:
During his first year in office, President Obama and Congressional Democrats have amassed a $12.4 trillion deficit
that is growing each day. While the President advocates increased federal spending, I have actively advocated tax
cuts, reduced spending and earmark reform to get our economy back on track.
The non-discretionary spending freeze announced by the President is a start, but what he also needs to do is
promise to veto bills laden with pork barrel spending and begin creating jobs for the thousands of out-of-work
Americans... -
johnmccain.com, 1-27-10
- Joe Wilson Responds to Obama, This Time on Facebook: "What the president proposed tonight would not truly create jobs. He is persisting on the wrong path of excessive
spending."
Mr. Wilson did commend the president for advocating aid for Haiti and supporting American troops. But he called
cap-and-trade legislation"a national energy tax" that"would kill jobs." And he said the federal government
should"be limited to doing what we cannot do for ourselves."
Discussing the Democratic health care reform proposal, Mr. Wilson said:"It almost sounded like everything for
everyone for free. That’s not correct and it’s not truly in the interest of the American people." -
NYT, 1-27-10
- Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee: "Somewhere along the line, the White House lost its way. Instead of focusing on solutions to help America's
families wade through the wreckage of the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, Washington has wasted valuable
time wrestling with partisan politics in an effort to rush through drastic reforms that do not directly address
our most immediate needs. The president's address has lent us all hope - hope that the administration is finally
heeding our concerns. It's about time."
- Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y.: "We have to wait for the House of Lords to do their contemplating. We're also not getting much guidance from
the mother ship about what the White House really wants and what they're prepared to push for."
- Readers respond to Obama’s State of the Union
Question of who's to blame for the political fighting gets mixed reactions:
Msnbc.com readers had mixed reactions Wednesday to President Obama's first State of the Union address, blaming
everyone from Congress to the president for a ‘deficit of trust’ about how Washington works.... -
MSNBC, 1-27-10
HISTORIANS & ANALYSTS' COMMENTS- Peniel Joseph: The Annotated State of the Union:
President Obama has gone on the offensive for his first major State of the Union speech. Not only does he insist
that his embattled health care bill is part of an overall effort to jumpstart the economy, he has listed the
tangible impact of last year's controversial stimulus package....
Obama continues to outline his commitment to bipartisanship here. Very similar to Ronald Reagan in 1982 who
derided critics who said he could not get along with a Democratic Congress. It's also a warning to both parties
that the American people want them to pass important and meaningful legislation that is forged out of compromise.
It remains to be seen if this will be enough, especially in an election year, to convince members of Congress that
it's in their own interest to pass legislation rather than simply stand in the way as obstructionists. Unlike Reagan,
who had the support of a unified Republican Party and managed to peel off conservative Democrats, Obama has a
fractured Democratic Party and a remarkably unified Republican opposition. -
PBS Newshour, 1-27-10 - Diane Ravitch: The Annotated State of the Union:
President Obama is surely right that"we need to invest in the skills and education of our people." Unfortunately
the national competition that the Obama administration has launched -- known as the"Race to the Top" does not
match the rhetoric. What the administration is actually doing is embracing the Republican agenda of choice and
accountability, thus continuing to promote the same failed approaches as the Bush administration's No Child
Left Behind Act. There was a time, about a decade ago, when the Democratic agenda was equity and professionalization,
as contrasted with the GOP agenda of choice and accountability. Sadly, the Obama agenda is no different from that
of George W. Bush's education agenda....
This is not reform. This is a managerial and organizational scheme in which children are treated as numbers and
schooling is reduced to data points. The only thing that matters is test scores in reading and math. Other
subjects--the non-tested subjects--are ignored. America will not have a great education system if we
systematically ignore science, the arts, history, literature, and foreign languages. -
PBS Newshour, 1-27-10 - Robert Kagan: The Annotated State of the Union:
On the subject of foreign policy, the speech is very disappointing. Obviously, the president wanted the focus to
be domestic, so the foreign policy and defense section is the dullest boilerplate. No new initiatives. No change
in rhetoric. Indeed, practically no rhetoric at all. It is almost as if the president was turning the nation
inward and stepping away from international involvement. There is no mention of Europe (except as a place where
trains run fast), which Europeans will notice. No mention of Japan. And only one use of the word"allies,"
in the context of Afghanistan. The perception that the Obama administration is pulling away from our allies,
which is becoming widespread, will be strengthened by this speech.
As to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the speech is about withdrawal, not commitment. As for Iran, there is
no mention of the Iranian opposition, the illegitimate Iranian elections, and only the briefest of references
to human rights in Iran. Perhaps the world will understand that Obama felt he had to focus on the domestic
issues. But it will be hard to avoid the perception that Obama, having little to show for his foreign policy
efforts in the first year, has decided to downplay foreign policy. This is worrying. -
PBS Newshour, 1-27-10
- Michael Beschloss: The Annotated State of the Union:
Obama eloquently tried to do tonight what JFK did in his speech to Congress after the Bay of Pigs failure
in 1961 and what Bill Clinton did in 1995 after losing both Houses of Congress: reframe the way Americans see
his presidency after suffering some setbacks. This speech will no doubt help, but he is the first to know that
his fate will rest a lot more on the outcome of his efforts to bring American jobs and what happens in two
American wars and the struggle against terrorism. -
PBS Newshour, 1-27-10
- Recapping the President's Speech:
The New York Times' Adam Nagourney, Jeff Zeleny, Helene Cooper and David Sanger offer their views on President
Obama's State of the Union....
NYT, 1-27-10
- Julian E. Zelizer: When liberals revolt: "It could leave him without any strong base of support and fuel the perception that he is an ineffective leader, something else
independent voters don't tend to appreciate," he wrote."If the president backs too far away from the issues that
animated his supporters in 2008, he could find himself facing even stronger challenges from liberals and depressing
the base of support that he will very much need going into 2012." -
CNN, 1-26-10
- Julian Zelizer: State of the Union speech unlikely to ease worries, analysts say: "While not quite as dramatic as Bill Clinton's announcement in his 1996 State of the Union address that the
'era of big government is over,' Obama is signaling that he wants to appeal to centrist voters concerned
about government spending," said Julian Zelizer, a presidential historian and CNN.com columnist.
CNN.com, 1-26-10
- Douglas Brinkley: State of the Union speech unlikely to ease worries, analysts say:
Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian, said Obama needs to"sell jobs, jobs and more jobs" in his speech."It's essential that, like Clinton, he lets the American people know he feels their pain," Brinkley said."And he
needs to use fierce Reaganesque language about smashing al Qaeda. Due to the Christmas bomber debacle, Obama must
explain in detail new innovative ways his administration is protecting U.S. citizens from terrorist attacks.".... -
CNN.com, 1-26-10
- David Frum: State of the Union speech unlikely to ease worries, analysts say: "The president will respond as he always does to emergencies: with a speech. In this case, it's his State of the
Union address," said David Frum, a CNN contributor and former speechwriter to President George W. Bush."The
Obama team always assumes the best remedy for any Obama difficulty is more Obama."
Frum said Obama's new populist tone, which he said emerged after the Democrats' surprising loss in the Massachusetts
special Senate election, might work short-term if he uses it in Wednesday's speech, but it won't work over the
long haul."If so, it would be a big mistake. It may win the president an immediate bounce in the polls by exciting downcast
liberals and progressives," Frum said in a CNN.com commentary."But that bounce will prove limited and short-
lived, and it will come at the expense of more trouble not very far down the road." -
CNN.com, 1-26-10
'Obama the populist' doesn't ring true, CNN, 1-25-10
- Doris Kearns Goodwin"Political Stakes are High with State of the Union Address": "He's got to make the American people feel that Main Street and job creation is at the center of his priority.
When you see a poll that 60 percent say they feel he spent more time thinking about the big banks than the
problems of the middle class, he has to shift that perception," historian Doris Kearns Goodwin said.
WBAY, 1-27-10
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