Obama's First "Message to Congress"

Professor S · 02-25-2009, 08:15 AM

Formally known as the State of the Union address, the name changed to avoid to awkward topic of the actual state of the union, I'm sure. Smart move from a very smart man.

Overall I thought it was a great speech, as speeches go. There was not much to disagree with as most of it centered on broad goals that both sides share, such as finding a successful conclusion to our military involvement in the Middle East. In the end the real difference between ideaologies isn't the end goals, but its the path to achieve them.

The best part of his speech was the positive nature of it. I think Pres. Obama has learned that negativity, whether it's candor or not, does more harm than good. As the leader of the free world he needed to come out last night and be decisive and optimistic, and he did that in spades. We'll see his approval rating jump 10 points at least, I think.

Aside from the obligatory raising of taxes for the top two percent of earners, there isn't much to get up in arms about, if you're a fiscal conservative. And there were some definite positives for conservatives, such as cutting spending (what spending has yet to be seen) and educational reform (we'll see what happens once the Teacher's Union is done with congress). The devil is in the details, but taking the speech at face value, I'd say he scored about an A- at least.

In the end I think the big question is whether or not this speech marked a new way forward, or if he believes the political actions he's endorsed so far are representative of the ideas he raised in his speech. If its the latter, he and we may be in for a rough ride.

Fyacin · 02-25-2009, 10:25 AM

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wall-S...-14464125.html

Meh.

BreakABone · 02-25-2009, 10:36 AM

Didn't see the speech, and don't have time to respond really.

Just... what's up Professor? Your posts are usually a bit better. This one had a few grammatical errors and pretty sure

Quote:

We'll see his approval rating just 10 points at least, I think.

is missing a word.

Professor S · 02-25-2009, 11:53 AM

Sorry, I was at rushed at work when I posted it. I've always been a bit of a mess when it comes to typos. I'll make the corrections.

GameMaster · 02-25-2009, 04:45 PM

How many people were insulted by Bobby Jindal's 'Mr Rodgers' attitude of talking down to the public?

Jason1 · 02-27-2009, 07:41 PM

I like how the Republicans send their token black guy to respond to speeches now. Attention Republicans: It dosent work with any black guy!

Professor S · 02-27-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason1

I like how the Republicans send their token black guy to respond to speeches now. Attention Republicans: It dosent work with any black guy!

Bobby Jindal's racial background is Indian...

Fox 6 · 02-27-2009, 09:29 PM

You can even tell by his last name. Jindal. Thats so Indian

BlueFire · 02-28-2009, 01:55 PM

Jason1 · 02-28-2009, 04:59 PM

Whatever, you guys get the point. If we're going this route you could argue that Obama isnt really black.

Bond · 02-28-2009, 05:29 PM

GameMaster · 02-28-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason1

Whatever, you guys get the point. If we're going this route you could argue that Obama isnt really black.

Glad someone finally brought this up. I can't tell you how maddening it is to hear the phrase 'first black President' used over and over again in the media.

People... Obama is the first half-white (or half-black) President to be elcted. Don't kid yourselves into thinking our country has come that far along. It'll be a long time before someone completley non-white is elected.

Sorry to rain on the progressive parade, but it's true.

I almost wish there was a bumper-sticker I could buy that says 'first half-white President' with Obama's picture... instantly dissolving every Obama fanatic's sensationalist claim.

Professor S · 02-28-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason1

Whatever, you guys get the point. If we're going this route you could argue that Obama isnt really black.

Wait, so are you saying that Indian heritage is the same and being half-black? Or are you saying that race is simply determined by the shade if your skin? If thats the case, I have an Italian friend who would be shocked to hear that he's a protected minority...

The point that I got was that while you constantly claim that Conservatives are racist, the one person who keeps bringing race on these forums in regards to politics is you. And you can't even get that right.

Jason1 · 02-28-2009, 09:34 PM

Its just an obvious half-assed attempt for Republicans to look like they too are progressive and arent all rich white guys. Thats all Im saying. He couldve been mexican or whatever, my point stands.

Professor S · 02-28-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason1

Its just an obvious half-assed attempt for Republicans to look like they too are progressive and arent all rich white guys. Thats all Im saying. He couldve been mexican or whatever, my point stands.

Ok, so we've established that Indians, Mexicans and Blacks are good for PR, according to you. Would it have been as effective if they had trotted out a Chinese spokesperson? What about Jewish? Or are they too "white"?

Bobby Jindal is one of the leading idea makers for the Republican party and hs been for a few years, and is a leading candidate to run for President in 2012. Michael Steele is black and leads the GOP as the head of the RNC.

To you, apparently, they're both just a skin color.