Tag Archives: State of the Union

In Briefs: State of the Union

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Jessica Bader

JESSICA BADER: And there’s the Eliot Engel sighting!

HOWARD MEGDAL: I’m so proud. He’s my Congressman.

JESSICA BADER: Interesting choice to dive right in with the Tucson/civility segment at the very beginning.

HOWARD MEGDAL: Boehner is watery already. I cannot…

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Democratic Loyalty

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Dani Alexis Ryskamp

AKIE BERMISS: Last week, after Vice President Biden’s exhortation of the Democratic base, there was great deal of blow back from liberals across the board. I spent nearly an hour on twitter arguing with a friend and fellow-blogger as to whether liberals should or should not abandon the party. Biden was characteristically crass and undiplomatic in his speech and what stuck in many Democrats craws was his demand that we all “stop whining.” While I think that may have been quite possibly the worst way to put it, I do basically agree with the sentiment. Continue reading →

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State of the Union Reactions

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Howard Megdal

HOWARD MEGDAL: There is much that President Obama did well in tonight’s speech, though how much the speech succeeded will ultimately be determined by legislative action and the voters in 2010. But the most vital part of President Obama’s speech Wednesday night was placing the Democratic Party on the side of regulating Wall Street.

JESSICA BADER: The thing that struck me the most about Barack Obama’s first official State of the Union address was how comfortable, how in his element, he seemed while giving it. Even knowing what a gifted speaker the President is and the sense of calm he projects even when the going gets tough, I would have expected some amount of nervousness to seep through as he delivered this speech that will supposedly determine the fate of his presidency (at least until the pundits determine another pivotal moment to fixate on). Instead, he was witty and self-deprecating, not afraid to riff off of the reactions of the audience immediately in front of him even as he was explaining his agenda to the audience watching on a screen.

Like Obama has done throughout his time in the national spotlight, he found the right words, delivered them the right way and at just the right time. Continue reading →

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State of the Union: What Is Wanted/Expected?

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Howard Megdal

JESSICA BADER: As we gear up for Barack Obama’s first official State of the Union address (the speech he gave to a joint session of Congress around this time a year ago wasn’t technically a SotU as it came so soon after his inauguration), one of the major legislative priorities of his first year in office hangs in limbo.

CHRIS PUMMER: Demonstrating the resolve to continue pushing for your beliefs not only convinces the public the president has strength of character. It also reassures people that the man in charge believes the nation is on the right course, even if the road right now seems bumpy. That’s what Obama has to do on Wednesday.

HOWARD MEGDAL: Regardless of his tone or specific policy proposals beyond it, Barack Obama can only succeed in putting his party in position to at least minimize losses if he is seen as finally battling Wall Street. There is no other path to victory in 2010.

JEFF MORROW: After a difficult, potentially fruitless year of legislative wrangling, people really want to know whether President Obama and the Democratic Congress can actually govern. By its nature, that can’t be demonstrated at the podium. Continue reading →

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