I tried to be hyped, really. Was even a little heartened when hubby planted himself on the sofa instead of running away from the TV screen (he’d claimed earlier in the day that he had zero interest in watching the SOTU.) Other than the general tone of the delivery, President Obama gave us a typical State of the Union Address.
We have problems, there is work to be done, there are a few potential solutions, it’s likely that they won’t be enacted easily given the partisan politicking on the Hill, and the administration is willing to throw at least a bone or three at the GOP to get work done.
What disturbed me at least a little was the fact that the gallery apparently wasn’t filled with all the people Obama was referring to in his speech. I’d love to know more about that Philadelphia window company that is flourishing, for example. (Picking on that in particular, since hubby works in that industry, we’re just on the other side of the Commonwealth, and he was wholly unaware of any such company. Not implying Obama was lying, but I am seriously wondering about the details on at least that one.)
Beyond my personal nitpicking, there is the break with SCOTUS tradition compliments of Justice Alito. Both sides are apparently in agreement that it was inappropriate, and only differ on their reasoning why. On that one, “remember your audience” kept running through my head. It’s one of the primary rules of public speaking and writing, and is extremely relevant here. Obama was speaking to the citizens of the United States. The majority of them are not into splitting hairs when it comes to determining the end results of situations like the Citizens United ruling. While it is true that foreign companies are not directly protected by the ruling, they are protected indirectly. For example, Nokia – a company that does business in the U.S., has offices and other interests here – is headquartered overseas. While Nokia cannot take money from headquarters to fund campaign advertising, it can take money from offices located in the U.S. to do it. Future rulings may need to be made to determine whether or not Nokia could simply transfer funds from headquarters for the explicit purpose of engaging in campaign work, but as it stands now, it’s possible. That said, telling the American public that foreign companies may now be engaged in campaign activities in the U.S. is not a lie. There are restrictions, but it is possible – and probably will happen. Justice Alito obviously forgot that Obama’s speech was not meant for only Constitutional scholars, and perhaps this will end up being a cautionary tale for SCOTUS. Justice Rehnquist was wise to suggest that justices not attend the SOTU, and perhaps that suggestion needs to be delivered again.
Chris Matthews’ bout of oral athlete’s foot was definitely something that was said, but still bears attention here simply because it wasn’t part of the SOTU. It remains to be seen whether or not his attempt at a save on Rachel Maddow’s show will be effective.
Of course there is the obligatory list questioning the veracity of Obama’s statements. Truth is subjective on the Beltway, and generalizations – the only things we end up with in these speeches – are very easy to target when it comes to pointing out “lies.” And bluntly, I’m not interested. Drafts of bills that may be written in the coming months to actually do what Obama talked about are worth analyzing. It’s great that he managed to list a pile of potential programs to stimulate the economy – I was particularly heartened to hear the mention of injecting funds into SBA-style loans offered by community banks as opposed to giving more money to the big boys. Not saying Wall St. doesn’t deserve attention – am saying Wall St. must be dealt with only while considering the implications on Main St. or we’re all doomed. Also loved hearing the possibility of companies not getting tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas. I know that will effect bottom lines, but there’s a much more important bottom line that needs attention right now – the jobless rate.
I have no love for the comparatively short statements on foreign policy, particularly where Afghanistan is concerned. It was predictable that President Karzai would come out today suggesting that we would need to be there for up to ten years. No, I don’t like hearing that my eight-year-old son could feasibly end up in Afghanistan if he chooses to enlist.
The statements on health care reform brought images of beating a dead horse to mind, primarily because I know that the statements against partisan pettiness were ignored wholesale.
So what does it all mean?
Obama made a valiant effort to encourage the public. Washington has not changed. Upcoming elections are not going to be about one party or the other taking control. It will be about making incumbents endangered species.
Tags: Barack Obama, Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, SOTU
Secured by