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Hillary and Obama Respond to SOTU

Here's Barack Obama response and Hillary Clinton's prequel to President Bush's State of the Union Address. From Hillary's:

I assume that all of you know tonight is a red letter night in American history. It is the last time George Bush will give a State of the Union.If we all do our part, next year it’ll be a Democratic President giving the State of the Union.

Let’s be clear, one thing that President Bush has never understood is that the State of the Union is not about a speech in Washington. It is about the state of the lives of the American people. What is happening in our schools, in our hospitals, in our jobs? It is whether or not we have people who feel that they are moving toward the American dream or whether it looks like it’s getting further and further away no matter how hard they work. It is about whether or not people will be able to stay in their homes or if they will lose their homes to foreclosures, thereby really undermining the American dream. It is about whether we as a nation will restore our leadership and our moral authority, bring our Constitution out of cold storage, begin to act like Americans again, solving our problems, working toward a better future, making it possible for us to be proud of our country.

From Obama's: [More...]

Ttonight we heard President Bush say that the surge in Iraq is working, when we know that's just not true. Yes, our valiant soldiers have helped reduce the violence. Five soldiers gave their lives today in this cause, and we mourn their loss and pray for their families.

But let there be no doubt - the Iraqi government has failed to seize the moment to reach the compromises necessary for an enduring peace. That was what we were told the surge was all about. So the only way we're finally going to pressure the Iraqis to reconcile and take responsibility for their future is to immediately begin the responsible withdrawal of our combat brigades so that we can bring all of our combat troops home.

But another reason we need to begin this withdrawal immediately is because this war has not made us safer. I opposed this war from the start in part because I was concerned that it would take our eye off al Qaeda and distract us from finishing the job in Afghanistan. Sadly, that's what happened. It's time to heed our military commanders by increasing our commitment to Afghanistan, and it's time to protect the American people by taking the fight to al Qaeda.

And, in what I take as a jab at Hillary:

But I also believe the failures of the last seven years stem not just from any single policy, but from a broken politics in Washington. A politics that says it's ok to demonize your political opponents when we should be coming together to solve problems.

Back to the war in Iraq, I don't trust the phrase "immediately begin the responsible withdrawal." There's two restrictions in it: It says we only have to begin withdrawal, not complete it. Bush touted his Administration's beginning of withdrawal in his SOTU tonight. What's the difference between them? The beginning of troop withdrawal is just not enough.

Second, he says it must be a "responsible withdrawal." That's another sign it won't be quick.

I don't see how his Iraq exit plan is any different -- or better -- from the other Democratic candidates. Obama keeps reminding us of his early opposition to the war, yet he voted to fund it and he continues to avoid committing to a timed troop withdrawal.

He sure isn't saying "If I am President we will have all combat troops out of Iraq within X months (or 1 year) of my taking office." Either he hasn't thought his exit plan through or he knows he can't make it happen. Which is why I don't think he's entitled to portray himself as the candidate who will do the most to end the war.

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  • Display: Sort:
    Hillary offers a handshake to Teddy (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by athyrio on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 10:36:03 PM EST
    and Obama turns away...Classy....

    picking it up (none / 0) (#12)
    by manys on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:19:57 PM EST
    That would be an interesting interview question for him.

    Parent
    Or Not (none / 0) (#14)
    by BDB on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:25:39 PM EST
    Given the Obama media darling status, this will be all Clinton's fault.  Already, here is one write up of the "story"

    RIVAL Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama forgot their manners when they came within 30cm of each other and managed not to say hello at President George W. Bush's State of the Union speech.

    Senator Clinton found time to shake Senator Edward M. Kennedy's hand, the man who had endorsed Senator Obama earlier in the day.

    Senator Obama, who was standing close by, turned away, the Associated Press reported.

    That's right, this article reported that Clinton went across the aisle to greet Ted Kennedy, Obama turned his back, but BOTH Clinton and Obama forgot their manners.  What Clinton was supposed to do to show her good manners is unclear.

    I don't think much of this story, but - wow - talk about the Obama rules.

    Parent

    Obama's turning away - classy, yea (none / 0) (#18)
    by LCaution on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:27:34 PM EST
    Being one of the few people who, it seems, have actually watched and listened to Obama, I'd say his turning away from Hillary is typical - and doesn't exactly represent his "we should all come together" philosophy.

    Apparently, when he talks about making peace, he doesn't include Hillary.  Hillay, OTOH, has repeatedly praised her opponents, insisted that all Democrats will come together in Nov. and showed just how classy she is by reaching out and shaking Kennedy's hand after what must have been a big disappointment.

    I'd say that Obama's actions speak louder than his words.  If he plans to govern the way he has campaigned, I can't exactly see the Republicans falling down at his feet to help him with his agenda  - whatever that is since, apparently, he believes his only job as President is to make Americans hopeful again.  Shades of Reagan.

    Parent

    Shades of Reagan (none / 0) (#25)
    by Tano on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:41:33 PM EST
    Landslide reelect,,,successor elected,,,set the political tone for a generation,,,

    I'll take it.

    Parent

    Actually, (none / 0) (#29)
    by Tano on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:46:11 PM EST
    from the geometry of the situation, it seems quite possible that she, coldly, rudely, stuck out her hand right past him to shake Teddy's, so perhaps he just moved out of her way.

    Seems pretty clear to me that this is just the type of thing that people will interpret in a way to confirm their prior feelings.

    Parent

    You know (none / 0) (#43)
    by PlayInPeoria on Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 03:46:30 PM EST
    GEOMETRY?
    from the geometry of the situation,

    So you were there? And know the angle that the photogropher was when this was taken?

    My degree in Mathematics would not even let me go there!

    I viewed the sequence of the photos. I notice Ted & Sen Obama were talking to each other before the picture was taken. Also, I remember watching the two of them on TV last night. It reminded me of walking into my mother-in-laws house for the first time after the marriage... outsider!!!

    Hillary showed alott of class walking into that room last night knowing all the tongues were wagging. She is truely changing Washington for the better.

    Parent

    I read (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by NJDem on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 10:46:50 PM EST
    a few responses in DK (yes, I know) that people think this photo can be a big deal--and not in a good way of Obama.  It's not saying much about the American people, but this kind of image makes it seem he flat-out snubbed her while she's being so nice to a man who ironically snubbed her earlier.  

    HC looks good; Obama, not so much.  It looks like he was just rude, and especially not Presidential.  

    The 'other' blogs would be all over this if it was the other way around--could you imagine!  I think we should pass this article/photo on!

    I could swear he did this after one of the debates (none / 0) (#4)
    by Cream City on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 10:57:14 PM EST
    too, when most were milling around afterward.  And watching the body language in the debates is quite revealing.

    Parent
    the reality is obama has been rude (none / 0) (#5)
    by hellothere on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 10:58:03 PM EST
    repeatedly. that snide comment about her being "likeable". that reminds me of a kid who thinks he is cool or is trying to be cool at someone other kid's expense. so, junior high!

    obama left nevada without so much as a gracious comment about winning today and meeting again. naw
    not obama! that doesn't sound like unity to me.

    Parent

    To be fair (none / 0) (#7)
    by djork on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:04:02 PM EST
    Obama could have greeted her before the pic was snapped and was stepping aside so Sen. Kennedy could greet her. She does look good though, very classy of her.

    Parent
    The photographer reported it, and he (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Cream City on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:09:02 PM EST
    was there before snapping the photo, but said that BO turned way without a word to her while she reached out to Kennedy.

    Clinton, again and again in this campaign, has shown class.  And she just gets crap for it.

    Parent

    Class (none / 0) (#13)
    by manys on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:21:33 PM EST
    "Class" is defined as the behavior of the upper class, the privileged and the aristocracy. It's not necessarily a compliment.

    Parent
    Class in this case would be decent manners (none / 0) (#15)
    by RalphB on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:25:57 PM EST
    Uh, no; you could look it up (nt) (none / 0) (#17)
    by Cream City on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:27:33 PM EST
    Manners (none / 0) (#31)
    by Stellaaa on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:47:34 PM EST
    Manners are a virtue.  

    Parent
    classy behavior in the (none / 0) (#33)
    by hellothere on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:52:41 PM EST
    popular useage denotes manners and grace. two things i did not see obama practice tonight or on other occasions.

    Parent
    maybe she's just more facile than he is (none / 0) (#34)
    by byteb on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 11:52:48 PM EST
    at this sort of smiling to your face after smacking you around kind of thing.

    Parent
    if obama can't handle himself with (none / 0) (#38)
    by hellothere on Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 12:00:46 AM EST
    hillary in a public function during a primary campaign then he isn't ready for prime time with the real meanies in the world. petty and small is my estimate of him.

    Parent
    Remember it was just yesterday folks (5.00 / 0) (#39)
    by oculus on Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 12:02:08 AM EST
    were opining the press might turn on the Media Darling in a heartbeat?

    I didnt watch (none / 0) (#1)
    by Judith on Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 10:34:51 PM EST
    did George say anything like what HRC suggested?

    Ha.