Our Union is Strong
President Obama gave a bold deliverance of the state of our Union tonight in an address to a joint session of Congress and, in turn to the American people. Using the occasion to frame the first year of his administration in the context of his historical presidency, the President refrained from issuing new sweeping policy proposals and instead opted to demonstrate his commanding leadership and desire for post-partisan politics. The President delivered a speech that accomplished these goals while connecting with an electorate that has become more cynical, divisive and angry. The Democratic Party, who lost a special election for a Senate seat in Massachusetts last week, face a challenging midterm election cycle this fall and tonight's speech may be seen as part rallying cry past mission directive.
To the substance:
On Tone: The President spoke the way that, I gather, the majority of Americans want their President to talk. In general, he was relaxed and collected, in control and reassuring. On complex issues, he was professorial. On contentious subjects, he sought reconciliation. On base policy, he was clear and concise. Where mistakes were made, he admitted error. Where rewards were achieved, he accepted praise. I think the President captured the essence of the multi-faceted role of the Office of President in his speech tonight.
On Health Care: It didn't come until over 30 minutes into the speech (not counting applause) and it still lacked specificity, but the President renewed his commitment to passing a health care bill and assuring reform in the insurance industry. This issue should be considered in the totality of the speech: it is part of the larger narrative of the Obama Presidency, and the New Foundation that has become its cornerstone.
On Taxes: It may have come as a surprise to many Americans that the President began the policy portion of his speech by trumpeting tax cuts for 95% of working Americans. That was in the stimulus package that the Republican Party unanimously opposed. By beginning with that, the President was trying to do what he should have done months ago: talking up the benefits of the bill & its policies instead of letting them get buried by the opposition of the other side.
On Jobs: Again, this should be considered in the largest narrative. But let's be clear: the President promised jobs tonight. If he does not deliver the next time he reports to Congress, then he will and should be held accountable. There is very little room to walk back on the bold promise he made tonight
On Iraq, Afghanistan, Terrorism and Foreign Policy: This was not a key component of this speech and there were very little specifics. The section seemed added just because its absence would have been damaging. It was a segway into a big announcement the President made, that got less play in the speech than had been expected: the repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell military policy of gays and lesbians in service.
At over 70 minutes, this was President Obama's longest speech since he became a public figure, according to ABC's Jake Tapper. At times, it was folksy. At others, it was specific. Will it be a game-changer for the Obama Presidency? Unlikely, but it did succeed in framing the Administration to date and setting a course going forward.
To the substance:
On Tone: The President spoke the way that, I gather, the majority of Americans want their President to talk. In general, he was relaxed and collected, in control and reassuring. On complex issues, he was professorial. On contentious subjects, he sought reconciliation. On base policy, he was clear and concise. Where mistakes were made, he admitted error. Where rewards were achieved, he accepted praise. I think the President captured the essence of the multi-faceted role of the Office of President in his speech tonight.
On Health Care: It didn't come until over 30 minutes into the speech (not counting applause) and it still lacked specificity, but the President renewed his commitment to passing a health care bill and assuring reform in the insurance industry. This issue should be considered in the totality of the speech: it is part of the larger narrative of the Obama Presidency, and the New Foundation that has become its cornerstone.
On Taxes: It may have come as a surprise to many Americans that the President began the policy portion of his speech by trumpeting tax cuts for 95% of working Americans. That was in the stimulus package that the Republican Party unanimously opposed. By beginning with that, the President was trying to do what he should have done months ago: talking up the benefits of the bill & its policies instead of letting them get buried by the opposition of the other side.
On Jobs: Again, this should be considered in the largest narrative. But let's be clear: the President promised jobs tonight. If he does not deliver the next time he reports to Congress, then he will and should be held accountable. There is very little room to walk back on the bold promise he made tonight
On Iraq, Afghanistan, Terrorism and Foreign Policy: This was not a key component of this speech and there were very little specifics. The section seemed added just because its absence would have been damaging. It was a segway into a big announcement the President made, that got less play in the speech than had been expected: the repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell military policy of gays and lesbians in service.
At over 70 minutes, this was President Obama's longest speech since he became a public figure, according to ABC's Jake Tapper. At times, it was folksy. At others, it was specific. Will it be a game-changer for the Obama Presidency? Unlikely, but it did succeed in framing the Administration to date and setting a course going forward.
Labels: Obama Administration, State of the Union
posted by Chris Golden @ 1:01 AM
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