Obama's State of the Union Address

[BrianEtrius]

Well, here we go. A year later.

What do you think Obama will address in his first State of the Union? Obviously the economy and health care reform will be brought up, as well as jobs and possibly the wars. Perhaps immigration, taxes, and education? Or possible a surprise appearance on the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy?

What do you guys think?

[animehater]

The whole time the man was only addressing the half of the room that agreed with him and pretty much brushed the Republicans aside.

[TDwizBang]

as i watched i tried to soak in as much of the feeling in the room as well as the presidents address. i watched on fox just for the reason i figured they would show more of the republicans dark corner than most other channels (i have no loyalty towards fox news or any political party)...

Obama stood in front of Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden who constantly led the democrats to stand up and clap for the president half the time before the president finished statements and sometimes sentences. (supposedly 89 times in about 70 minutes) although she did not look pleased at all when Obama stated that the security budget will not be effected by his proposed budget freeze... he also said that anything put on his desk that goes against the budget freeze would be turned away with veto if needed (he said this while looking at the republicans dark corner)

the high ranking officers in the military sat stone faced and silent when the president spoke of ending war in the middle east AND allowing homosexuals in the military (i bet it was intimidating for the president since they were sitting front row center)

the president did state that the republican party should step up to leadership and not vote no on everything... i thought that comment was a little weak considering that voting no still holds merit in a democracy that is heavy on one side that is pushing agendas down the throats of America...

another talking point was bipartisanship... in the last year democrats have held closed door meetings to discuss bills without republican input... and since republicans are left out of the meetings so is the rest of the public... but yet again the president called for more bipartisanship... well i guess we will have to wait and see if the president steps up to his plate on that one... that is if we get to read the memo...

overall the biggest topic was jobs... Obama basically said that in five years he wants exports to double leaning heavy on the idea that green energy will be the american wave of the future and reclaimed money from the stimulus will be given to community banks so small businesses can get the loans they need to survive in the current economy... as far as the small businesses are concerned i feel that the stimulus should have been given to them in the first place so most of those small businesses would still be in neighborhoods across the country and on top of that its still 900 billion dollars that will be given out with a slower return rate than what was given to the big banks...

i got to tell you though, to me is seemed like it was 2008 all over again but this time instead of seeing hope on faces and obama stickers on every other car i see people confused and angry with bumper sticker residue constantly reminding them of the broken promises that never came to fruit.
so why should we trust that the next year will be any better?

[Musician]

At 1/27/10 10:34 PM, animehater wrote: The whole time the man was only addressing the half of the room that agreed with him and pretty much brushed the Republicans aside.

Haven't seen the address yet, but if he really did this I say good for him. I mean really, who cares about the Republicans anymore? Their whole party is a gigantic joke at this point. People should be brushing them off more often.

[Memorize]

At 1/28/10 02:08 AM, Musician wrote:

Haven't seen the address yet, but if he really did this I say good for him. I mean really, who cares about the Republicans anymore? Their whole party is a gigantic joke at this point. People should be brushing them off more often.

Funny how people say that when Obama hasn't changed jack-shit.

Then again, you never were a smart person.

[TDwizBang]

At 1/28/10 02:08 AM, Musician wrote:

At 1/27/10 10:34 PM, animehater wrote: The whole time the man was only addressing the half of the room that agreed with him and pretty much brushed the Republicans aside.

Haven't seen the address yet, but if he really did this I say good for him. I mean really, who cares about the Republicans anymore? Their whole party is a gigantic joke at this point. People should be brushing them off more often.

yep, because democracy is all about brushing away the opposition... yeah, i know we all hate George W. Bush BUT its time to move on... its apparent that both major political parties are FUBAR so maybe its time to look past who is in what party... or just stay a political neanderthal...

[Ericho]

I wanted to see more of this address, but I was unlucky and I was out with my brother (we're alone now) and we drove a lot until finally going home. I think I only got to see about seven minutes of it, as we came home at around 9. I really couldn't remember what was being said, but I do remember it didn't seem to be anything particularly negative, and it was a fairly decent speech.

[gumOnShoe]

I watched it all.

There were things I certainly agreed with, as I tend to agree with Obama anyway. I think he's going to have a hard time delivering on any of his promises, especially since its up to others to fulfill them.

There were other things he said that I felt were half truths. And there were many times where I felt like he was campaigning again and I'd have rather he moved on, even though I understand he's trying to reconnect with the people. It was the name dropping stuff that got to me, you know "joe the plummer," "the teacher in arizona" etc

[Memorize]

At 1/28/10 01:01 PM, gumOnShoe wrote:

There were other things he said that I felt were half truths. And there were many times where I felt like he was campaigning again and I'd have rather he moved on, even though I understand he's trying to reconnect with the people. It was the name dropping stuff that got to me, you know "joe the plummer," "the teacher in arizona" etc

You would...

[Tony-DarkGrave]

all bullshit, economy is still in shambles people are losing jobs or already jobless and hes raising the national deficit.

he's done jackshit.

[Proteas]

Didn't watch it, didn't care to watch it, mainly because I have to listen to him yammer on incessantly throughout the week and have it replayed on the mainstream news outlets who have become his cult of personality. Case in point; openly wondering why the republicans would not stand up and clap or show ANY support for Obama or the policies he discussed.

Has ANYBODY on this forum ever seen the opposing political party of a standing president to ever stand up and clap and cheer during a state of the union address? Were you actually surprised to see their inaction or unwillingness to do this?

[Stoicish]

First thing I thought after the speech was, "I agree with most of this."

After that thought I said, "Well, the Republicans are just going to pick one thing they didn't like about it and really hammer in on home on that until they can find complaint about the other stuff."

Lo and behold when I turned on Fox News...

[animehater]

At 1/28/10 08:09 PM, Stoicish wrote: "Well, the Republicans are just going to pick one thing

One thing? ONE THING?! were we watching the same speech? The whole damn thing a man can have problems with! That speech was the state of the party not the state of the union.

[Warforger]

At 1/28/10 04:56 PM, Dante-Son-Of-Sparda wrote: all bullshit, economy is still in shambles people are losing jobs or already jobless and hes raising the national deficit.

he's done jackshit.

hahahhaaha yah in one year you expect him to fix the economy just like that? The problem is that people are corrupt, so if people are allowed to do whatever they want chances are that they will use the money to secure themselves and there friends so they can relax at the beach while the American worker is waiting in soup lines.

[aviewaskewed]

I didn't get to watch it but it sounds to me like pretty typical state of the union stuff.

Sitting president tries to make himself look good and play to his party.

Sitting president wants opposing party to stop fighting with him and get on the train because obviously his ideas are best, he's president after all!

Sitting president references borderline "cult" political celebrities to help him make his points to the dumber segments of the audience that can only understand politics through such "cult" figures.

Actions speak louder then words, this guy has made many many promises already he has yet to deliver on sooo...for me it's a situation where these things tend to be feel good speeches that only work insofar as it gives you an idea of what you should expect the guy to have done by next year if he's being honest or understanding the job.

[MultiCanimefan]

All politics in a nutshell. EVER.

1. CAMPAIGN.
2. GET ELECTED FOR PROMISES MADE DURING CAMPAIGN.
3. FULFILL LESS THAN 1% OF PROMISES.
4. WATCH APPROVAL RATING PLUMMET.
5. GIVE ADDRESS.
6. WATCH APPROVAL RATING RISE DUE TO PROMISES IN ADDRESS.
7. MAYBE DO SOMETHING.
7. RINSE, LATHER, REPEAT UNTIL ASSASSINATED OR TERM IS UP.

In other words, I didn't watch it and I know for a fact I'm not missing much.

[TransparentPresence]

He's trying to make a difference? Don't they all?

Well, he made a couple of people happy for a few seconds, but it isn't really going to help the people who are stuck homeless and jobless is it...I think Obama is an improvement from Bush though, but I still find him suspicious, and at the rate he's going...he's all talk and no do...at least when Bush said he's gonna do the war on terror he sent soldiers to Iraq and shot some people all over there and we bagged him for his stupid war-for-nothing-which-in-fact-provoked-m ore-terrorists-to-attack-innocent-people , but he still did something didn't he...Obama's not really doing anything, just making catchy speeches...I might be wrong though, since I don't live in America...am I missing any other evidence?

[TransparentPresence]

He's trying to make a difference? Don't they all?

Well, he made a couple of people happy for a few seconds, but it isn't really going to help the people who are stuck homeless and jobless is it...I think Obama is an improvement from Bush though, but I still find him suspicious, and at the rate he's going...he's all talk and no do...at least when Bush said he's gonna do the war on terror he sent soldiers to Iraq and shot some people all over there and we bagged him for his stupid war-for-nothing-which-in-fact-provoked-m ore-terrorists-to-attack-innocent-people , but he still did something didn't he...Obama's not really doing anything, just making catchy speeches...I might be wrong though, since I don't live in America...am I missing any other evidence?

[TransparentPresence]

He's trying to make a difference? Don't they all?

Well, he made a couple of people happy for a few seconds, but it isn't really going to help the people who are stuck homeless and jobless is it...I think Obama is an improvement from Bush though, but I still find him suspicious, and at the rate he's going...he's all talk and no do...at least when Bush said he's gonna do the war on terror he sent soldiers to Iraq and shot some people all over there and we bagged him for his stupid war-for-nothing-which-in-fact-provoked-m ore-terrorists-to-attack-innocent-people , but he still did something didn't he...Obama's not really doing anything, just making catchy speeches...I might be wrong though, since I don't live in America...am I missing any other evidence?

[Gunner-D]

At 1/29/10 01:15 AM, TransparentPresence wrote: He's trying to make a difference? Don't they all?

Well, he made a couple of people happy for a few seconds, but it isn't really going to help the people who are stuck homeless and jobless is it...I think Obama is an improvement from Bush though, but I still find him suspicious, and at the rate he's going...he's all talk and no do...at least when Bush said he's gonna do the war on terror he sent soldiers to Iraq and shot some people all over there and we bagged him for his stupid war-for-nothing-which-in-fact-provoked-m ore-terrorists-to-attack-innocent-people , but he still did something didn't he...Obama's not really doing anything, just making catchy speeches...I might be wrong though, since I don't live in America...am I missing any other evidence?

ask yourself, why do you find him suspicious? of what?

there is no suspicion of anything his goals are very clear.

i didnt like how pompous of a position the white house has seemed to become. much like royalty. bush1 + 2. almost mr. and mrs. clinton. so clearly congress approves of this royal highness sentiment in these days of media broadcast today.

obama is not all-talk-no-action he is very active in his most pressing policies we know all too well. it is the general negative attitude toward the foreseeable bankruptcy of america in the eyes of many americans that make this change a no go. it is heavily fueled by the talk radio and cable news opinion coverage of economic crisis, but has translated to most homes.

the talk was very hopeful. i hope the jobs bill translates to free solar panels! that is the change i believe in.

[SadisticMonkey]

At 1/28/10 02:08 AM, Musician wrote: Haven't seen the address yet, but if he really did this I say good for him. I mean really, who cares about the Republicans anymore?

The people of Massachusetts I would assume.

[Gunner-D]

At 1/31/10 04:45 AM, SadisticMonkey wrote:

At 1/28/10 02:08 AM, Musician wrote: Haven't seen the address yet, but if he really did this I say good for him. I mean really, who cares about the Republicans anymore?

The people of Massachusetts I would assume.

true, take mitt romney for example. when fiscal mismanagement gets out of hand, people like to elect "conservatives" to balance the budget, such as romney for governer. i think scott brown is an embodiment of this toward national economic crisis. many people will argue it was to block health care reform, but i ask why are many people against the healthcare reform? they dont want to pay to subsidize healthcare for other people.

massachusetts has been a blue state because of the progress democrats have made for civil liberties, many older ones holding onto the glory days of jfk and rfk. however, if youve ever been to this state... you go 70 miles west of boston and you get into the hill towns, farm towns, and run-down factory towns, looks much more like a red state out there. much of the turnout for the special election came from suburban voters.

plus obama has all this talk about change in energy policy. however, we have evergreen solar here in malboro, mass and they just built a manufacturing plant in china because its too expensive to keep the jobs here. the healthcare sector employs 33% of workers in worcester, the second largest city in new england, and with the healthcare bill calling for covering more people with lower costs, these workers translate that to more work for less pay... lots of examples of campaign rhetoric not delivering in this state

[Shy2AuthentikMusic]

At 1/28/10 03:18 AM, Memorize wrote:

At 1/28/10 02:08 AM, Musician wrote:

Haven't seen the address yet, but if he really did this I say good for him. I mean really, who cares about the Republicans anymore? Their whole party is a gigantic joke at this point. People should be brushing them off more often.

Funny how people say that when Obama hasn't changed jack-shit.

Then again, you never were a smart person.

Do you realize that the president can't ACTUALLY change "jack-shit" single handedly? It takes the whole congress to make a decision and put a bill to work. Even in Bush's days he can't take ALL the blame for what he did because it took more than just him to actually put in place the things he did. However, what the president CAN do is SUGGEST ideas to the House and Senate. He HAS done that with everything he promised. Health Care, Stimulus, Guantanamo, and a few other minor things. It is not his fault that the congress CHANGED or took FOREVER to actually put the idea/bill into work.

The problem with nothing getting accomplished for the passed billion years (I exaggerate) is this Republican vs Democrat battle. All it does is a back and forth movement instead of actually putting forth new plans and ideas. Presidents are partly responsible because they are the leaders, but try to look at the whole system instead of putting blame on the most important face you see.

[Dubbi]

Just more of the same from the bufoon that is Obama. All his suggestions include expanding governemnt to solve our problems whether we want them to or not. One of my greatest vices with that abhorent speech was his refusal to concede healthcare reform. Does he not see that the America doesn't want it! Also I didn't like his intimidation of the supreme could and his ludicrous remark that all scientific evidence points to man made global warming. He seems to STILL completly ignore the entire Republican Party even after our win in Massachusets. But the great thing about a democracy is that when you don't you listen to your constituents you will get voted out. I can not wait for 2012!

[SmilezRoyale]

From the perspective of a someone who is oriented towards liberty, the fact that obama has failed to get any health care legislation passed is a good thing, not a bad thing. In fact, since the government has openly stated it has no intention of ever reducing it's size or scope, the best thing that anyone can ask is that nothing ever gets done in washington, even if the status quo is unbearable.

[Memorize]

At 1/31/10 03:37 PM, Shy2AuthentikMusic wrote:

Do you realize that the president can't ACTUALLY change "jack-shit" single handedly?

Right... because he didn't throw over 30k more troops into Afghanistan... oh wait...

This also doesn't explain how Bush didn't even have a super-majority on his side and he could pass virtually everything he wanted.

[Gunner-D]

At 2/1/10 02:42 AM, Memorize wrote:

At 1/31/10 03:37 PM, Shy2AuthentikMusic wrote:

Do you realize that the president can't ACTUALLY change "jack-shit" single handedly?

Right... because he didn't throw over 30k more troops into Afghanistan... oh wait...

This also doesn't explain how Bush didn't even have a super-majority on his side and he could pass virtually everything he wanted.

true, that one good point you bring up. escalating the war in afghanistan is something that he could casually mention on the back burner while highlighting the withdrawl of iraq combat forces by august (really... august?).

the speech i found that really highlights his war policy was not this address, but the nobel peace prize speech.

unending chaos

"we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes"

not when the same people fund both sides for profit

[Dubbi]

At 2/1/10 09:51 AM, Gunner-D wrote:
not when the same people fund both sides for profit

Are you really so deranged where you believe that the sole purpose of fighting these two wars is money?

[mking2012]

At 1/31/10 06:56 PM, SmilezRoyale wrote:

..."the best thing that anyone can ask is that nothing ever gets done in washington, even if the status quo is unbearable."

...What? You're not actually serious are you?

[Imperator]

At 2/1/10 02:42 AM, Memorize wrote: This also doesn't explain how Bush didn't even have a super-majority on his side and he could pass virtually everything he wanted.

What's there to explain? Democratic party has no balls. They're yellow bellies, chickens, faint of heart, wimps.

Republicans? Balls to the walls.

But it's ok......because Obama has Hope.
Why yes, Mr. President, I do find hope to be quite audacious.....