Quick SOTU thoughts.

State of the Union:

Initial response, loved the speech. People talk about how he’s all about rhetoric and lofty phrases. The Inaugural Address* last year, for instance, and the speech about race.

But no, yesterday’s State of the Union showed that Obama can make his point equally well without just floating lofty rhetoric. He addressed both those sitting in the audience and those watching on TV/online. He showed that he won’t give up simply because there’s some opposition.

On not quitting:

We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us.We don’t quit. I don’t quit. Let’s seize this moment – to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.

One thing that especially appeals to me about this president is that his ideas and rhetoric are founded on a solid awareness of his role as president, and an awareness of the current state of politics including that compromises must, at times, be made. Sometimes it sounds as if he’s stating the obvious, but in today’s politics, the obvious is often forgotten or deliberately ignored.

But remember this – I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation of three hundred million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That’s just how it is.

And earlier in the speech:

Of course, none of these reforms will even happen if we don’t also reform how we work with one another.

I like the realistic, rational view of politics that he takes. He lays bare the fundamental points that are obscured by the political wrangling. And when it comes to responsibility for the current state of things, everyone, including himself (for not explaining things clearly), shares a piece of it:

The media:

The more that TV pundits reduce serious debates into silly arguments, and big issues into sound bites, our citizens turn away.

Both parties in Congress:

So no, I will not give up on changing the tone of our politics. I know it’s an election year. And after last week, it is clear that campaign fever has come even earlier than usual. But we still need to govern.

To Democrats, I would remind you that we still have the largest majority in decades, and the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills.

And if the Republican leadership is going to insist that sixty votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town, then the responsibility to govern is now yours as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it’s not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. So let’s show the American people that we can do it together.

So let’s put aside the schoolyard taunts about who is tough. Let’s reject the false choice between protecting our people and upholding our values. Let’s leave behind the fear and division, and do what it takes to defend our nation and forge a more hopeful future – for America and the world.

Even the SCOTUS, after Citizens United v. FEC:

With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests –- including foreign corporations –- to spend without limit in our elections. I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people. And I’d urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems.

And again, though I’ve mentioned it before, the health care portion was such a powerful call to action. This is why I campaigned and voted for him.

Here’s what I ask of Congress, though: Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.

*Inaugural Address:

more SOTU.

From SOTU liveblogging at the Atlantic:

JAN 27 10, 11:04 PM by Marc Ambinder

CBS Sample Shows Obama Gains Support

CBS News and Knowledge Networks assembled a diverse panel of Americans and asked them to participate in a pre-and-post speech survey about Obama’s speech. Before the speech, about 57% of those present said they believed that the President has the same concerns about policies as they did. After the speech, it was up to 74%. After the speech, 83% of those in the sample said they supported the proposals he outlined. Before the speech, only 40% of those in the sample though the administration had a clear jobs plan. After: 59% did.

The numbers look great, a 17% jump, all from a speech! 83% support! But it’s also really disheartening to see that so many people have no idea what their own opinions are, have no real stance on the issues. These fickle voters can be manipulated, swayed by whomever articulates his/her position best. In this case, it works for the Dems, but it could just as well go the other way. This is how MA lost Ted Kennedy’s seat to the Republicans. People weren’t voting for issues, they were voting for the guy who had his act more together, and against perceived lack of direction, lack of progress. But goddamn it, they might have killed health care.

SOTU clips.

Loved the healthcare segment.

Transcript: Here’s what I ask Congress, though: Don’t walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.

Don’t run for the hills, Dems

POTUS calling out SCOTUS:

Transcript: With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests –- including foreign corporations –- to spend without limit in our elections. I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people. And I’d urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems.

And I always love it when he refers to Michelle.