Obama's Speech - The Spin - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime

Obama's Speech - The Spin

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:12:28 PM EST
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I thought it was ok, but short on specifics. I give it a B-. Not his best, not his worst.

What did you think?

Also give us your thoughts on Jindal's response. I'm sweating my Gators right now. Gators done.

< Obama's Address To Congress Live Blog | Obama's Speech: Vision v. Means >

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Obama's Speech - The Spin | 182 comments (182 topical)

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BTD (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:13:35 PM EST

will you be blogging the Jindal response...here, or on another, or not at all?

Thanks

Nope (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:15:04 PM EST

Sweating my Gators right now.

Comment here.

Parent

Gators crumbling (none / 0) (#29)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:31:52 PM EST

down 7 now.

Parent

aww, now you're making me feel bad (none / 0) (#40)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:34:20 PM EST

At least they are beating you on the road. They beat us at home.

Parent

LSU is good (none / 0) (#44)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:35:31 PM EST

Parent

I'm starting to think they are the only (none / 0) (#58)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:39:26 PM EST

good SEC team. Bunch of seniors, right?

Parent

: Seniors, juniors really (none / 0) (#162)
by Slado on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:51:52 AM EST

they have a pretty normal make up.
The reality is they seem old because most of the SEC is criticaly young. UF, UK, VANDY, TENN, Ole Miss, etc.. are all playing freshman and sophmores. The SEC is suffering from being very good having players leave early, some leave the teams, transfer etc... This has left most of the teams without seniors and juniors so LSU being more traditionaly built has really helped them.
But having a PAC-10 and Mountain West coach of the year come in to coach your team can't be overlooked. That coach is very, very good.
Gators will be much better next year along with most of the SEC as these young players develop.

Parent

C/C+ (5.00 / 5) (#2)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:14:06 PM EST

I did NOT like what he said about Social Security.

Otherwise bland and boilerplate.

Ditto (5.00 / 1) (#113)
by cal1942 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:41:06 PM EST

the Social Security remarks and the confusing savings account remarks were unsettling.

After reading Jane Hamsher's post on the 'Fiscal Responsibility Summit' I was already lathered up with anger.

The terrible price of nominating someone with no convictions.

Parent

Typical Obama speech (2.00 / 0) (#148)
by BrassTacks on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 02:23:59 AM EST

It sounded very nice, rather lofty, but no content. He's going to save us all from everything bad and send us all to college. yawn. C+

Bobby Jindal sound nervous at first, but got better by the end. Mostly little stories and rah-rah stuff. C-

Parent

SS "reform" got a tepid response (none / 0) (#73)
by ding7777 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:46:51 PM EST

Parent

: What was that about? (5.00 / 4) (#97)
by WS on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:04:09 PM EST

He made Democrats excited for his proposals except for that part. The room just sounded confused when he talked about savings accounts. If he wanted to get Republicans to stand up and cheer him, he didn't get it. Lesson #2323123123, Mr. President. don't trust the Republicans.

Parent
: Tepid response (5.00 / 1) (#128)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:24:44 AM EST

beacuse they know that there will be a battle with Obama to prevent future benefit cuts.

Parent

Favreau needs a jolt of something. (5.00 / 4) (#4)
by Dr Molly on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:18:07 PM EST

Favreau needs a 'jolt' of what, to where? (5.00 / 1) (#74)
by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:47:28 PM EST

Parent

: He needs a jolt of data and content (5.00 / 1) (#150)
by Dr Molly on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 05:40:09 AM EST

to add to the fluffy feel-good words.

Parent

When I saw "jolt," I processed it as (5.00 / 2) (#123)
by DeborahNC on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:11:40 AM EST

volt, and my brain cells were doing neurological cartwheels as I visualized Favreau actually connected to some voltage. (he,he.)

That probably sounds mean, but I found it funny, just for a very brief moment though.

Parent

The Pages were giggling (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:19:37 PM EST

like, well, a bunch of 16-year-olds.

Well, he has excellent pronunciation. (5.00 / 5) (#6)
by caseyOR on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:20:17 PM EST

He speaks in complete sentences. As is so often the case with an Obama speech, it is mostly fluff; not much substance. Where is the transparency? He obscures with the lack of detail. Tell me what you are planning, and tell me why.

I admit I am rarely impressed by an Obama speech, and this is no exception.

Just too crafted to be anything (5.00 / 2) (#32)
by Inspector Gadget on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:32:34 PM EST

more than a good piece of writing.

Parent

A moment of clarification (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by Upstart Crow on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:39:40 PM EST

If it says nothing, it's not good writing. It's just words.

Good writing is punchy, to-the-point, and memorable.

Parent

: Fine, you have a different interpretation (none / 0) (#166)
by Inspector Gadget on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 08:08:58 AM EST

than I do for good.
It clearly captured people because it was nice words and sounded like he was going to do all that was right and fair.

Parent

Agreed (none / 0) (#10)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:24:19 PM EST

Parent

I was very pleased (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by Steve M on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:23:56 PM EST

Great speech IMO.

Really, Steve, great? (5.00 / 2) (#13)
by caseyOR on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:26:06 PM EST

Why do you think that?

Parent

I liked most of the high notes (5.00 / 1) (#93)
by Steve M on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:02:31 PM EST

and I thought his demeanor conveyed total confidence and control of the situation. I hope people liked what they heard.

Parent

When Bush (5.00 / 1) (#114)
by cal1942 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:46:55 PM EST

read speeches from a teleprompter he also conveyed confidence and control.

I certainly didn't like his remark about doing something TO Social Security.

His speech lacked specifics.

Parent

Well (5.00 / 1) (#122)
by Steve M on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:11:10 AM EST

I guess you and I had different reactions to Bush's speeches.

Parent

I Didn't like (5.00 / 1) (#143)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 01:44:08 AM EST

what I heard from Bush, that goes without saying.

But, characterizing a teleprompter aided performance as extraordinary is IMO like giving every team in the league a trophy.

THIS STATEMENT:

To preserve our long-term fiscal health, we must also address the growing costs in Medicare and Social Security. Comprehensive health care reform is the best way to strengthen Medicare for years to come. And we must also begin a conversation on how to do the same for Social Security, while creating tax-free universal savings accounts for all Americans.

is cause for genuine concern.

Parent

What, in your opinion, is the most (none / 0) (#144)
by oculus on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 01:56:20 AM EST

effective way to turn the President around re "fixing" Social Security? Contact representatives in Congress, AARP, other?

Parent

: The only thing (5.00 / 2) (#146)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 02:21:02 AM EST

I can think of is writing to local House member, both Senators, Obama, Obama's staff, letter to the editor and encourage as many others as possible to do the same.
I brought up this subject to the chairperson of a Democratic Party club I belong to and was told to buzz off. That club has more influence in local politics than the party itself. It has a significant, aggressive membership that can make a lot of noise when so moved. Huge disappointment.
The club and our county party are so full of Obama worshippers that they'll either accept anything from his administration or ignore what's happening.
We didn't tolerate this from a Republican and we certainly shouldn't tolerate it from a Democrat.
Given the diminishing number of defined benefit pensions and the perennial risk with 401Ks and other inadequate retirement plans, Gen Xers and late Boomers are going to need Social Security desperately. This is nothing more than grand theft. A high crime.

Parent
: Congress (none / 0) (#157)
by BernieO on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 06:58:45 AM EST

and the media - with facts about the basic solvency of SS. I think that if we get the economy growing strong there will be no problem at all. The projections are based on really low numbers for growth - lower than what has been normal in the past - from what I have read.
As for what he said about Medicare and Medicaid, that was long overdue. He is right that they are just a reflection of the sickness of our entire health care system. I am hoping when he starts talking specifics about health care refore the insurance companies will push for mandatory coverage. That is what they want so maybe they could use their Harry and Louise tactics this time to explain why mandatory coverage is needed instead of trashing the idea of reform. I'm not holding my breath, though.

Parent

What are "universal" savings accounts? (none / 0) (#147)
by nycstray on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 02:21:50 AM EST

And does "tax-free" mean that it goes in pre-tax from your check and is not taxed when withdrawn as a retiree or whatever?

Parent

Probably just an off-the-cuff thought (none / 0) (#168)
by Inspector Gadget on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 08:16:00 AM EST

like the domestic army he spoke of during the primaries.

Parent

Anyone's Guess (none / 0) (#179)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 10:53:42 AM EST

If that was thrown out as some kind of a gimmick that would make up for cuts in Social Security benefits then it's a major loser, a scam to cover up the theft of the Social Security Trust Fund.

I don't trust any politician who won't make a forthright statement that Social Security will remain totally publicly funded and that benefits will be paid as scheduled now and in the future.

When they start throwing out talk about savings accounts and tax breaks I get damned awful suspicious.

Parent

: I think people under the age of (none / 0) (#181)
by oculus on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 11:39:42 AM EST

about 40 in the U.S. have been convinced SS "won't be there when they need it." The concept the federal government has been using money obtained from SS for other purposes hasn't sunk in.

Parent

I agree (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by kenosharick on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:38:24 PM EST

It was inspirational, laid out an ambitious adgenda and stuck it to the repubs in a few spots!!

Parent

I clapped when he talked about (5.00 / 0) (#83)
by samtaylor2 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:56:14 PM EST

Climate change and setting up a market system. It has been 8 years of silence.

Parent

Grade B Speech (5.00 / 4) (#9)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:24:06 PM EST

As I said in the last thread, President Obama did OK. But really, it was just OK... Not great. We needed more specifics. How will we solve the climate & energy crisis? How will we end the Iraq occupation? How will we fix health care? How will we balance the budget?

Robert Gibbs is wrong. We DO want specifics, dammit!

: The media always hated Clinton's addresses (5.00 / 1) (#158)
by BernieO on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:13:00 AM EST

because of all the specifics. The public loved them.
On the other hand, I thought he spent a lot of his time justifying the stimulus package which makes sense given all the spin that the public has heard from the media and the right. Even though I wanted more specifics, I think he probably did the right thing in terms of the general public that does not pay such close attention to politics. And at this point, confidence is critical to our recovery.

Parent

I liked that more than once, he pointed out (5.00 / 6) (#11)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:25:17 PM EST

to them that it is the audience outside that building that matters. I would have liked more specifics but I think he did well on the bank CEO's etc. That was for the audience.

Ok, two sentences in and Jindal is absolutely awful. Oh my gosh.

: Yeah, he connected. (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:27:55 PM EST

Obama keeps getting better at that. Now if he just does this more often and learn to connect head to heart, then he'll be the brilliant leader I know he can be. Just my $0.02. ;-)

Parent

David Gergen said (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by Saul on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:25:57 PM EST

that the 1st half was FDR and the 2nd half was LBJ. Maybe Maybe not

: I never have trusted Gergen (none / 0) (#115)
by cal1942 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:52:21 PM EST

then again I have a shortage of trust the last few decades for any Republican.
Obama didn't sound anything like FDR or LBJ when he said he'd do something TO Social Security.

Parent

O gawd... (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:26:13 PM EST

Bobby Jindal is speaking. Whoops, time to change back to Food Network! Yay, Napa Burger Cookoff! ;-)

Bobby Jindal (5.00 / 5) (#15)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:26:48 PM EST

sounds suspiciously like John McCain.

sing song, He sounds like my daughter (5.00 / 4) (#20)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:28:51 PM EST

in her second grade play trying to put the emphasis on the right word and blowing it.

Parent

Exactly! (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:29:47 PM EST

just what my fellow wag was saying here.

Parent

I thought he sounded like a 12 year old. (5.00 / 0) (#133)
by DeborahNC on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:45:33 AM EST

His upbeat, "the Republicans are the answer" approach seemed contrived.

Actually, some of the statements he made were borderline truthiness. Then again, I've never liked Republicans.

Parent

heh (3.50 / 2) (#23)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:30:04 PM EST

I would say that his accent sounds a little phony, but who knows.

Parent

: perfect (none / 0) (#100)
by byteb on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:13:38 PM EST

Parent

I'd like to see the Nielsen (none / 0) (#177)
by BackFromOhio on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 09:51:29 AM EST

ratings on Jindal vs. Obama; I bet lots of people changed the channel before or during Jindal's speech.

Parent

Just pick any Republican at random (none / 0) (#116)
by cal1942 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:55:36 PM EST

they all sound alike.

Parent

: You are 100 % correct. (5.00 / 1) (#134)
by DeborahNC on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:46:57 AM EST

Parent

Jindal is worse than Kaine. (5.00 / 5) (#16)
by lobary on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:26:58 PM EST

His delivery is horrible. Wow.

: He is Awful! (5.00 / 2) (#49)
by kenosharick on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:36:16 PM EST

If this is the repubs great hope, we have no worries.

Parent

OUCH (5.00 / 3) (#17)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:27:45 PM EST

Jindal really SUCKS!

terrible speaking style.

what a phony

The nation is pointing and laughing at the GOP (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by lobary on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:33:02 PM EST

This is your response to Barack Obama's address? This is the future of the Republican party?

Parent

: First half, he seemed to almost bounce up and down (none / 0) (#182)
by jawbone on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:16:11 PM EST

I was trying to figure out what character in movies of TV he reminded me of--can't place it, but it's someone young and inexperienced.
In the second half, where he was going after Dems, he seemed to quiet down, but was, well, awful.

Parent

Strange anti-government story (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:28:28 PM EST

from Jindal.

: I can't believe he referred to Katrina... (5.00 / 3) (#91)
by byteb on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:00:04 PM EST

Parent

OK, I had to... (5.00 / 4) (#24)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:30:23 PM EST

Flip back to MSNBC. Jindal's a hot mess. Blah blah blah, cut taxes, blah blah blah, I hate government, blah blah blah, I hate trains, blah blah blah, cut taxes and make my rich friends richer. BORING!

time to insert video game, (5.00 / 3) (#27)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:31:42 PM EST

no matter what the Prez sez

Parent

Better... (5.00 / 4) (#37)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:33:28 PM EST

I turned on my guilty pleasure "reality teevee". I swear, one of the OC Housewives could have given a better GOP rebuttal than Bobby Jindal... And they would have filled it with expletives, booz, and cleavage! :-D

Parent

Vicki?... (5.00 / 2) (#55)
by santarita on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:38:35 PM EST

I think that she could give the same sort of speech.

Parent

But it would be more fun... (5.00 / 3) (#65)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:41:23 PM EST

At least my dear, sweet Vicki can talk about how her boobs like to come out & play and why no one tells her "I love you" often enough. I swear, even a drunk & foul-mouthed OC Housewife would have been better than what Bobby Jindal just gave us!

Parent

: Didn't watch Jindal... (5.00 / 1) (#104)
by santarita on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:27:59 PM EST

Last OC show had already started.

Parent

blah blah blah (none / 0) (#101)
by joanneleon on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:16:35 PM EST

volcanoes.

(Wait... what??)

Parent

Good lord... (5.00 / 8) (#25)
by Thanin on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:31:10 PM EST

Jindal is a joke. This isnt a response this is a personal infomercial.

: Now that's 100% politician! (5.00 / 1) (#159)
by Fabian on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:38:33 AM EST

Let me tell you about myself and how great I am....
There are times I'm thankful for the pols our state has because by golly, there are definitely worse ones out there!

Parent

So I guess Louisiana is thriving? (5.00 / 5) (#26)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:31:18 PM EST

Governor Granholm (MI) (5.00 / 1) (#118)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:05:10 AM EST

said that if states like Louisiana didn't want stimulus money that we'd be happy to take their share.

I'm all for it.

Parent

: Wonder if Strickland (5.00 / 1) (#160)
by Fabian on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:39:47 AM EST

chimed in too.
I know that was my first thought: "What? You don't want it? Send it over here, we'll take it - strings and all!".

Parent

It was Fat Tuesday ya know (none / 0) (#165)
by Militarytracy on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 08:01:29 AM EST

It can be hard to feel anything authentic on Fat Tuesday :) Where I live now people channel Mardi Gras. Everyone was running around here with beads on but no nudity. Some children were gone from school because the family took off for LA.

Parent

Wow. Talk about FAIL! (5.00 / 0) (#28)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:31:51 PM EST

Jindal's speech is FAIL. I couldn't take it any more. Flip to Bravo for Real Housewives! ;-)

Good (B) (5.00 / 2) (#30)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:31:56 PM EST

It was typical Obama, so it will be well received by the talking heads. I didn't think it was that great. I was expecting more details. However, I think for the more wonkish of us here, this is Obama's style (one I'm not particularly a fan of, but many people enjoy). It isn't going to change.

B+ (5.00 / 2) (#31)
by jharp on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:32:19 PM EST

And Jindal sucked. Or is sucking. And sucked a lot or is sucking a lot.

: Lucky for Mr. President... (5.00 / 3) (#50)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:36:29 PM EST

He'll likely be graded on a curve compared to Jindal. And because of that, Obama will be upgraded to an A+.

Parent

Yeah, Jindal's emphasis is totally off (5.00 / 4) (#33)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:32:45 PM EST

Did he practice this?

Brit Hume on Fox (5.00 / 9) (#59)
by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:39:32 PM EST

not at all happy with Jindal, says, "I have to say, that speech read a lot better than it sounded."

I sure hope this insufferable goon has done himself in with this, but the rest of the world may not have hated, hated, hated it as much as I did.

Parent

Have no fear, g-falc (5.00 / 2) (#69)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:43:43 PM EST

the rest of the world hated it, I'm sure....

Parent

Hope youre right (5.00 / 2) (#84)
by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:56:17 PM EST

(shuddder....)

Parent

I'm sure of it. My husband (who is not a (5.00 / 8) (#89)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:59:28 PM EST

junkie like us) came running downstairs and said "did you hear that Republican dude on tv? He sounded like he was reading a children's book".

Parent

: zactly! (5.00 / 4) (#95)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:03:47 PM EST

my friend's comment was, sounds like he's reading his "What I did this summer" essay to the class.

Parent

Well I'm glad I missed it then! (5.00 / 1) (#111)
by Faust on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:34:29 PM EST

Parent

Question (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:33:00 PM EST

Why is that door open behind Jindal?

And the stairs? (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:33:25 PM EST

Strange setting no?

Parent

LA governor's mansion? (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:34:03 PM EST

I remember seeing Blanco there.

Parent

Bad tie too (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:34:12 PM EST

and bad haircut.

Don't know what he said. TV timeout in the Gators game.

Parent

Gator Alum? (5.00 / 1) (#45)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:35:46 PM EST

Me too!

Parent

Subway alum (none / 0) (#52)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:37:08 PM EST

Been a Gator fan since I was a little kid (Reaves to Alvarez)

Parent

Cool (none / 0) (#57)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:39:25 PM EST

It's been great! I was there for 4 national championships.

Parent

Looking bad tonight (none / 0) (#62)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:40:41 PM EST

Parent

: LSU is doing really well this year (none / 0) (#67)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:42:50 PM EST

Parent

Haircut is OK IMO (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:36:10 PM EST

but what's worse than the tie is the shirt. It looks gray on my TV.

Parent

Quick Exit (5.00 / 3) (#41)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:34:51 PM EST

Parent

for a fast exit of his presidential aspirations? (5.00 / 4) (#43)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:35:26 PM EST

Parent

The ghost opened it. Or the devil or (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:36:14 PM EST

someone?

Parent

Open for the guy with the hook (5.00 / 1) (#117)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:02:12 AM EST

Parent

Any 30 Rock fans? (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by lobary on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:35:25 PM EST

Jindal = Kenneth!

: That is an insult (5.00 / 2) (#51)
by caseyOR on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:36:30 PM EST

to Kenneth.

Parent

Speeches (5.00 / 4) (#47)
by TheRealFrank on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:36:13 PM EST

I am not impressed by speeches, but with Obama, I can see how other people will be impressed by it, and how he uses that as an effective tool.

Jindal.. uhm.. not so much.

: I've seen Obama's fluff work often enough (5.00 / 1) (#53)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:37:52 PM EST

to know that it will be well-received tonight. Jindal? Who knows.

Parent

Wow. Rachel Maddow is speechless. (5.00 / 4) (#56)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:39:05 PM EST

I just had to flip back to MSNBC. Rachel doesn't know how to respond to Jindal's EPIC FAIL... But lucky for us, Tweety does! Not even he can defend it. "How can someone from Louisiana be against government spending?"

How is MSNBC? (5.00 / 4) (#63)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:41:05 PM EST

Are they keeping their pants on after Obama's speech? :)

Parent

No, they still have a crush... (5.00 / 2) (#72)
by atdleft on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:45:53 PM EST

On Mr. President. I think KeithO is having some bromance with WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs right now.

Parent

: I support Obama (5.00 / 1) (#77)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:50:34 PM EST

but I can't stand those goofs and their worshiping.

Parent
: "Bromance", nice, passs the word! (none / 0) (#76)
by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:49:57 PM EST

Parent

Jindal's response... (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by BS on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:40:14 PM EST

I think we just saw the set up for this week's Saturday Night Live skit. I can see it now...there will be a bunch Bollywood dancers in the background.

That would be incredibly racist (5.00 / 1) (#64)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:41:16 PM EST

and unnecessary.

Parent

They will brutalize him. (5.00 / 1) (#66)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:41:45 PM EST

He badly needs speaking lessons.

Parent

: He seems to have only one expression: (5.00 / 1) (#71)
by byteb on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:45:25 PM EST

morose.

Parent

Strange Downbeat Ending to ... (5.00 / 4) (#68)
by santarita on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:42:53 PM EST

Obama's speech. He just kind of ended it with a kind of "Thaaat's all folks".

Except for that ending, I'd give him a B. He was somewhere between a business-like and a cheerleading approach, which given the situation was ok.

But the speech left me thinking again that this is a careful man and not a visionary.

Mr. President... (5.00 / 2) (#70)
by ding7777 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:44:57 PM EST

Karl Benz of Germermany invented the automobile.

I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it.

That was my favorite line (5.00 / 3) (#96)
by Steve M on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:03:53 PM EST

and it was truthy enough for this Detroiter.

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: if only he would have said (none / 0) (#155)
by ding7777 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 06:27:19 AM EST

the automobile industry, it would have been accurate

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Scandal! (none / 0) (#75)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:49:31 PM EST

BUT Nicolas Cugnot invented the first steam powered car.

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: He was from France (I looked it up, I didn't (none / 0) (#80)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:52:26 PM EST

know who invented the first car either).

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CNN just fact checked this. . . (none / 0) (#78)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:51:48 PM EST

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You're fast, CNN just noted that car factoid (none / 0) (#79)
by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:52:09 PM EST

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Karl Benz, et alia, (none / 0) (#169)
by Farmboy on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 08:40:47 AM EST

invented self-propelled vehicles, and over the next few decades they sold hundreds. Olds and Ford invented the automobile, and sold millions.

It's more than a matter of definition; it's what you do with what you invent. A good analogy is in the PC world: the Altair 8800 was arguably the microcomputer you could call a PC. Hundreds were sold to hobbyists, and is only remembered as trivia. The Apple ][ sold millions, and started the PC age.

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Jindal is horrible (5.00 / 3) (#81)
by Lil on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:53:38 PM EST

Obama gets 2 homeruns tonight, This response is laughable and gives Obama more credibility, charisma, genuiness, etc. in comparison

Jindal sounds like a late, late night (5.00 / 5) (#85)
by byteb on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:57:44 PM EST

infomercial on making millions in real estate. His cadence and speaking style is that creepy and annoying.

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excellent analogy (5.00 / 2) (#87)
by Lil on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:59:01 PM EST

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The guy who sells the colon cleanse book (5.00 / 6) (#92)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:01:16 PM EST

is more convincing.

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Ed Rollins on Jindal: (5.00 / 1) (#105)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:30:36 PM EST

"Tonight was a good night for Sarah Palin."

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good one (none / 0) (#106)
by Lil on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:53:11 PM EST

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: Horrible delivery by Jindal (5.00 / 2) (#163)
by WS on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:52:21 AM EST

He tried to sound like a Southern good old boy and the result was an epic fail.
Sounded fake, phony, insincere, and somewhat creepy.

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Felt good to hear an up speech (5.00 / 2) (#82)
by SOS on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:54:32 PM EST

Wall Street after hours right now tech is heading south and old school stuff heading north.

Very odd

Anderson Cooper just slapped (5.00 / 2) (#86)
by andgarden on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:58:32 PM EST

Eliot Engel, who waited in the House chamber all day to get a good seat.

"It's like waiting all night for tickets to a Madonna concert. Kind of pathetic."

heh.

: Wonder when the last time was AC had to (5.00 / 1) (#120)
by nycstray on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:08:22 AM EST

go the reg route for tickets to an event . . .
Hopefully at the next address nobody will care enough to want a good seat and our babbling heads can focus on something a bit more substantial, like lack of specifics . . .

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I liked it very much (Obama) (5.00 / 3) (#88)
by sallywally on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:59:01 PM EST

His generalities were in the right direction, his tone was good - those days are over and we can and will - and his taking down of the Repubs was excellent. I hold my judgment on SS, because I don't think he said SS would be replaced with private accounts (the sentence didn't say that).

I felt he was laying out a genuine progressive agenda. We can only hope he'll become FDR and LBJ - don't think he's likely to do that, but I'm pleased with what he said tonight. More than I expected to be.

I hope Jindal, along with The Bronze One from Madame Toussaud's and other leaders of the Repubs, get a total cold shoulder from the American people - and are clearly viewed as the moral idiots and embarrassments they are.

Howard Dean on MSNBC soon.

: I liked that he laughed at the Republicans (5.00 / 6) (#94)
by Teresa on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:03:45 PM EST

when they got up cheering about fixing the deficit. When he pointed out that he inherited it, it made me more sure that you can only push Obama so far before he will get PO'd and push back. I'm glad because he is going to have to do it to them.

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Jindal makes no sense (5.00 / 7) (#90)
by samtaylor2 on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 09:59:38 PM EST

I can't believe he used Katrina like that, it just made no sense. Also, I think it is funny that he ignores the fact that federal investment is what has helped Louisiana whether some of this economic fall out.

: It's kind of amazing (5.00 / 6) (#98)
by Steve M on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:05:09 PM EST

that their argument is "you can't trust government, look at how badly we ran it." They show no signs of having learned anything from the last two elections.

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: Boy, I would have loved (5.00 / 3) (#109)
by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:20:14 PM EST

to see one of those "dial" groups for Jindal's speech. I cringed so hard and so often, I had to turn the sound off and do something else before he was quite through because my shoulders were starting to cramp up.

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Better than a B- (5.00 / 4) (#99)
by joanneleon on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:07:22 PM EST

in my opinion, but it didn't accomplish very much. I was hoping to come out of this knowing a bit more than I did going into it. On substance, I agree with the B- but on delivery, an A. On being a great contrast and relief from Bush, an A+. On producing a massive failure from Republicans, in terms of their facial expressions and behavior during the speech, and their catastrophic Republican Response from Jindal another A+. I'm not sure what that averages out to.

A minus (none / 0) (#102)
by Lora on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:17:29 PM EST

Disclosure: I read it, I didn't hear it.

I liked it and thought it contained a decent amount of specifics (in a general sort of way).

I thought the weakest part was his health care plan. I was disappointed. Sounds like he basically wants to reinforce the status quo, but somehow imagines that making it more efficient will save us money. What it will do is make sky-high profits for the insurance companies and private hospitals and drug companies without saving us much of anything. We'll be lucky if health care costs don't increase.

Aside from that, I liked it. How practical he is, I have no idea. If he can pull off half of what he said, I will be highly impressed. But I thought it sounded good---erm, I mean, read well.

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It depends (5.00 / 2) (#110)
by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:22:25 PM EST

If his health care plan details, as rumored, include both a mandate and the option of joining Medicare, as is being increasingly rumored, I think we'll be well on our way to single-payer down the road.

Um, maybe I'm having a senior moment, but wasn't that Hillary's health care plan from the primaries?

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She also had buying into a public plan/their plan (5.00 / 2) (#125)
by nycstray on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:18:33 AM EST

which, if we got it at the same rates, would have cut my costs to 1/3. That I can afford.

I get nervous on the "affordability" that they throw around and leave very general and vague. Do they really know what affordable is? Remember, it was Obama that laughed at the gas tax idea, yet at the least, it would have given families groceries. At the most, indie truckers would have caught a real break. I actually did the math on that one . . .

How can he put SS on the table? Especially a when people's 401k's etc just took a hit/still are taking hits?

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Honestly, I don't think (5.00 / 1) (#137)
by gyrfalcon on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 01:02:33 AM EST

he's "put SS on the table." There's a very weird scare meme going around the prog Internet that's based, as far as I can tell, on nothing.

No sane person is going to suggest cutting SS benefits in this environment. No sane person is going to suggest "privatizing" it after what's happened to the stock market in just a few months.

I think he and his people are totally tone deaf not to realize that there are a lot of us out here, having seen our retirement investments disappear, literally shaking in our boots every time he mentions SS.

But truthfully, I can't in my wildest dreams imagine anybody cutting benefits or even raising the retirement age more than maybe a year, and even that I'd be shocked at.

Furthermore none of that is even necessary to "fix" the very mild problem with SS funding. So what would be the point? The man does, presumably, want to get reelected, as do all the members of Congress.

Raising the income level for SS contributions? Sure. I assume that will happen. But I'd truly be shocked down to my toes if it's anything more than that because it makes no sense to try for anything more.

And btw, that's what "buying into a public plan" means, effectively, buying into Medicare early.

I do agree with you on the "affordability" issue, which is where the idea of mandates makes me very nervous. Mass. has this great plan that includes mandates, but at the bottom of the income barrel, it's simply unaffordable.

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: For some reason (5.00 / 1) (#141)
by nycstray on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 01:28:15 AM EST

I had Hillary's "buying into a public plan" as different than "expanding Medicare".

I think he and his people are totally tone deaf not to realize that there are a lot of us out here, having seen our retirement investments disappear, literally shaking in our boots every time he mentions SS.
Talking about it in any form other than "it's stable" is putting it on the table for me. I had issues with his SS dance in the primaries, don't trust some of his advisers, or him for that matter, and enough talk has happened to know I could get screwed (age). Why the f*** is he even opening the door? SS is not an issue we need to look at in the first 100 days or the first year, imo. Sure, raise the contribution level, but do it as part of something else and don't wave it out there as an issue that 'needs' attention. Do it as a shore up, keeping it stable for our grandkids or some BS spin, but for now, just STFU about it already! I have a (irrational?) fear down in my gut that he may use it as a bargaining chip and does believe it needs 'adjustment'. It's that bi-partisan thing . . . .

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Yes (5.00 / 2) (#126)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:18:41 AM EST

and also John Edwards.

Obama's plan was voluntary and did not contain the publio option.

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Obama benefits in the moment from (5.00 / 1) (#103)
by Anne on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 10:21:21 PM EST

the cheering and the applause and the constant standing-o's and the cameras catching all the beaming faces, but when the adrenaline and the giddiness subside, I think much of what he actually said will prove to be just...okay.

Which was pretty much the story of the campaign, wasn't it?

I didn't watch Jindal, but based on what all of you have said, I think he has a long way to go before he is deemed the heir apparent to the GOP throne.

I pretty much hate these canned responses to presidential speeches - they almost always lose something because there are no cheering and applauding crowds, the delivery almost always sucks (remember Kathleen Sebelius' response...we all fell asleep), and hardly anyone but talking heads and political junkies actually watch them.

Obama needs to back away - far away - from Social Security, and stop fantasizing about adding it to the list of things he is going to save.

Jindal (5.00 / 0) (#112)
by womanwarrior on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:40:36 PM EST

Laughable! Not as good as a used car salesman. Those bureaucrats that pissed off the sheriff? Bushie's and Brownie's FEMA? More tax cuts? For whom? The millionaires and the corps who send jobs overseas? Puhlease!

Obama was on his game. If he gave more specifics and numbers, you all would have complained he was a wonk like Clinton and boring. Right now, Americans need a cheerleader. He's off to a good start. But he'd better get out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Clinton was a wonk (none / 0) (#127)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:21:09 AM EST

and was anything BUT boring.

Clinton really lit up the place.

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She still does ;) (5.00 / 1) (#130)
by nycstray on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:36:02 AM EST

I can listen to either one do the wonk thang . . . I'm a sucker for good wonk.

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Bill Clinton (none / 0) (#131)
by Socraticsilence on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:36:04 AM EST

wasn't boring, Hillary was in the Kerry Gore technocrat who lacked the sales skills mold.

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I think she's better than KerryGore (5.00 / 2) (#132)
by nycstray on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:39:06 AM EST

More passionate and on level with those she's speaking to. And she speaks as if she will get it done, not just can.

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Yes, Clinton is passionate--Kerry not so much. (5.00 / 1) (#135)
by DeborahNC on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:54:38 AM EST

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I saw Kerry in a Senate hearing (none / 0) (#139)
by nycstray on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 01:10:16 AM EST

just nailing an FDA dude on plastic baby bottles. He was good. Surprised me to see him throw so much out there after watching him in 2004.

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: John Kerry (5.00 / 1) (#142)
by cal1942 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 01:36:55 AM EST

got consultanted to death in 2004.

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: Thanks good to hear. He'll be a much more (5.00 / 1) (#149)
by DeborahNC on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 02:49:35 AM EST

effective Democratic spokesperson.

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Actually, if had given more specifics and numbers, (none / 0) (#152)
by Dr Molly on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 05:45:08 AM EST

I would have been very happy, reassured, and well-informed.

If he gave more specifics and numbers, you all would have complained he was a wonk like Clinton and boring.

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Bill Clinton's 1st State of Union Speech (none / 0) (#153)
by Politalkix on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 06:15:25 AM EST

Please follow [link]
If we want to compare and contrast, let us look at the speeches by placing them next to each other, not just trust faulty memory.

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: I'm not sure of your point (5.00 / 0) (#154)
by Steve M on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 06:21:09 AM EST

but the appropriate comparison is Clinton's 1993 address to Congress.

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: Um.. (none / 0) (#180)
by Dr Molly on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 10:59:16 AM EST

I didn't say anything about Clinton. I just said that I (me, personally) would have very much liked more detail. So, no 'faulty memory' necessary.

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Jindal was terrible (5.00 / 0) (#119)
by AGuevara on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:07:47 AM EST

and he is supposed to be the best the GOP has to offer? Enough with the misreps on the stimulus package, and for once I agree with David Brooks on PBS who was shocked that the best the GOP has is to dust off the "government is bad" line. Right now, the alternative to the government helping is total chaos.

Considering that a recent poll shows that people trust the government more than wall street, I think we can say that Milton Friedman is rolling in his grave.

For those of you who wanted more details from Obam (5.00 / 0) (#121)
by ai002h on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:08:47 AM EST

No offense, but this speech wasn't targeted at you. The goal was to re-explain the financial crisis and provide policy prescriptions, but keep the explaining broad enough and general enough where it can be absorbed and understood by the general public.

: Of course it wasn't! (none / 0) (#161)
by Fabian on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:50:04 AM EST

I've made peace with the fact that there is almost no marketing aimed at people like me who want facts, details and hard data instead of vague claims and bold, yet poorly defined, promises.
We are getting ready for our annual home improvement budget which will be heavily influenced by which projects the government will pay more for.
The nation needs hope. I need numbers to crunch.
energystar.gov for information on tax credits.

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It's my impression that this speech (5.00 / 0) (#129)
by DeborahNC on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:35:17 AM EST

was intended to be a balm to soothe the worries that folks have about the future of the country, and thus, their personal concerns. I think that most people wanted to feel there was still reason to hope, and this speech met that objective.

Also, he projected confidence and resolve to do whatever it takes to address the problems we face. I agree that he needed to appear in control, and he did, without the swagger of a W.

I agree with what you said (5.00 / 1) (#151)
by Dr Molly on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 05:41:29 AM EST

but what's reassuring for me is actually specific plans and knowing what is coming from the White House. I wish he had added some of that.

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: I was happy with the speech (5.00 / 1) (#156)
by BernieO on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 06:53:27 AM EST

except for the SS bit. Probably because it was more specific than I expected having heard all the hopey-changey stuff. I did like that he pointed out our country has been bold responding to crises in the past, instead of wringing our hands and saying we can't do anything. However, I would have appreciated his pointing out that in the 90's we were able to generate a surplus because of raising taxes on the affluent and promoting a strong economy. That is the best proof that his program of tax increases, investments in the economy, education, the working poor, etc. will pay off and reduce our debt, but Obama still avoids giving Bill credit if he can help it.
As for Jindal - YIKES!! Having heard him on talk shows I was stunned at how fake he seemed. Joe Scarborough just said a Republican friend of his sent him a message that the party was toast after hearing Jindal (or words to that effect).

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So, why make it an address to congress? (none / 0) (#167)
by Inspector Gadget on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 08:12:30 AM EST

He didn't really need to be in that setting, did he? This was a message to the people because Bill Clinton said he needed to be more optimistic.

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: Tradition (none / 0) (#178)
by daring grace on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 10:07:12 AM EST

From Wiki:
"The State of the Union is an annual address presented before a joint session of Congress and held in the House of Representatives chamber at the U.S. Capitol. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and national priorities to Congress[1]. The report has occurred in January (except for the occasion of a new president's entrance into Office, whereupon he gives his first address in February) since 1934.
"Sometimes, especially in recent years, newly inaugurated presidents have delivered speeches to joint sessions of Congress only weeks into their respective terms, but these are not officially considered State of the Union addresses. The address is also most frequently used to outline the president's legislative proposals for the upcoming year."

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The polls are in (5.00 / 0) (#145)
by JThomas on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 02:02:17 AM EST

on CNN showing 82 % approval 17 % not so much.
I would say he did just fine.
He had a lot of territory to cover and was not about to go into anymore detail than he did tonite. He is announcing his wind-down plan for Iraq later this week. He has a healthcare summit next week. These programs are still evolving.

I thought he struck the right tone of determination and confidence in the american spirit to get out of this mess.

How can he say... (5.00 / 1) (#164)
by Slado on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:56:20 AM EST

there where no earmarks and pork in the stimulus?

that's just outright spin. Then he says he will balance the budget while listing off all the new government programs he wants to get going. Energy, healthcare, more stimulus etc...

Can't have it both ways Mr. President. Talking in generalizations and spin is motivating but unproductive. I get the feeling isn't telling us what he really thinks (I don't think he's overwhelmed for a minute) and is on a continuous compaign for 2012.

Can you name one earmark? (none / 0) (#170)
by Steve M on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 08:59:30 AM EST

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How do you define earmark? (none / 0) (#171)
by Samuel on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 09:26:29 AM EST

Any spending proposed by a congressman that is focused in his constituency? It depends on how strictly you interpret the definition. One instance I can remember is Iowa biofuel which is a half billion or so.

I believe Slado's main point was that the man provided no explanation for how all these additional programs will result in sustainable growth. It seems that that most new jobs will be dependent on an accelerating rate of inflation and therefore serve as another bubble. In other words, sustaining stimulus level unemployment will require perpetual applications of stimulus which clearly has upper limits. This will result an longer lasting period of high unemployment in the future.

In 2001 a recession was avoided by cutting the Fed rate and supplementing consumption with credit (since no one had been saving). GDP went up everything looked like it was recovering to experts until 2007. Now we're facing a larger recession than if we just owned up to it in 2001. There's a concern that we're about to experience the same process only through the mechanism of fiscal spending and bank nationalization as private banks find lending too risky even with the Fed rate at 0.

He then goes on to say that it is very unlikely that Obama doesn't understand this.

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I suppose (5.00 / 1) (#185)
by Steve M on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 06:14:01 PM EST

that there were lots of earmarks in the bill if you get to make up your own definition of earmarks.

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: You got me! (none / 0) (#186)
by Samuel on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 07:54:04 PM EST

Slado's point is entirely null.

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You know I banned you from my threads right? (none / 0) (#172)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 09:29:35 AM EST

But let's forget that for the moment. You write "GDP went up everything looked like it was recovering to experts until 2007."

Krugman did not think so. It was those economists you admire who thought so.

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Hahaha. (none / 0) (#173)
by Samuel on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 09:32:39 AM EST

Yea right. Austrian's thought that there was a recovery in 2002? Really?

And Krugman has never mentioned the Fed cutting rates as a cause of the crisis.

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this is why you are no longer welcome (none / 0) (#175)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 09:43:31 AM EST

in my threads.

you ignored my question to you.

you are rebanned.

do not comment in my threads anymore.

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: You didn't ask a question. (none / 0) (#176)
by Samuel on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 09:51:05 AM EST

Dude, you're nuts.
"But let's forget that for the moment. You write "GDP went up everything looked like it was recovering to experts until 2007."
Krugman did not think so. It was those economists you admire who thought so. "
Unless the subject was the question "you know you're banned..." which seemed slightly rhetorical - and you told me to "forget that for the moment".
The answer would have been "evidently" because the original banning statement followed a barrage of insecure ad hominem attacks - so I figured you might just have been emotional and not meant it.

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Krugman 2003 (none / 0) (#174)
by Samuel on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 09:39:21 AM EST

Stating that the rates should be cut:

"It's all too possible that we may be looking at a sluggish economy into 2004, maybe beyond. The Fed should cut rates further -- it may not be enough, but it will help."

Help what? Feed credit into a housing bubble?

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ya (none / 0) (#107)
by connecticut yankee on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:11:01 PM EST

Wait till Jindal starts talking about Creationism. Hello, 2cd Obama term.

: Jindal is nuttish (none / 0) (#108)
by aeguy on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 11:14:49 PM EST

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good....not great (none / 0) (#124)
by NYShooter on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 12:17:40 AM EST

I'd say he did pretty good tonight.....B+

Brought back the "can do" pride and nationalism
Nailed many key points: jobs, education, banks lending again, health care
Reminded why Democrats won the election
We CAN do it ALL concurrently
Tribute to the military

Could've done better

More amplitude; need's to hit the high C's
Too much pandering to R's talking points
Too much pandering to D's talking points
Selective class warfare needs polishing
Fire Favreau..."fix Social Security?"....thud

I doubt Favreau is responsible for (none / 0) (#140)
by oculus on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 01:20:33 AM EST

the SS ideas.

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I hold him responsible (none / 0) (#183)
by NYShooter on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 03:43:15 PM EST

for not throwing Obama to the ground and not letting him up until he removed the line.

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: Favreue is of the generation (none / 0) (#184)
by oculus on Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 04:31:53 PM EST

convinced SS won't be there for them, so why contribute to help others older than them?

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Obama's Speech - The Spin | 182 comments (182 topical)

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