|
January 27, 2010
"not now"
Yes. The president just said that. Again. In the SOTU address. For once I agree with the president's words. (See my previous post.) MORE: At 09:49 p.m., he just said "Not now" again. It's a mantra. Not now more than ever! MY OVERALL REACTION: While I get tired of his repetitive style of rhetoric, all in all, it wasn't a bad speech (and I agreed with some of it). The man's oratorical skills continue to shine. The president did appeal to the center and displayed some good-natured humor, and I am glad he promised to work on repealing DADT. But I found myself especially irritated by the repeated and gratuitous bashing of bankers and Wall Street, and even more by the attack on the Supreme Court. (To my mind, that borders on attacking free speech.) And you'd think by now he'd see the wisdom of backing off on health care. It's worth pointing out that during the campaign, he was to the right of Hillary (who viciously attacked him for it). I see no reason he couldn't fall back on that strategically. (Might even save his ass in '12.) Not now, apparently! AND WHY NOT: I think the most important thing to remember about tonight's performance is that Barack Obama did not tack to the center, as many would have expected. Instead, he held his ground. A smart move, and I would have advised him to do exactly what he did. First of all, he would have looked weak in light of the recent election of Scott Brown had he seemed to capitulate. Second, there's still plenty of time to tack to the center in order to to preserve his administration in 2012, and from a purely Machiavellian standpoint, it is not in his interest to have the Democrats win the upcoming Fall elections. In fact, it is in Obama's own political interest to have the Republicans win. That way he can not only blame everything on them, but his reelection will be an appeal to the sense of protective gridlock that American voters like. LAST WORD: This is what we're up against: And the president only wants to make it worse by adding new entitlements. (Via Glenn Reynolds, who hopes it's hyperbole.) MORE: As to all the people, all the various reactions, most of it will pass, and be soon forgotten. Except by the Democrats who will lose in the Fall: The Democrat-vs.-Democrat anger roiling the ranks of Congress is being wrapped in smiles and standing ovations Wednesday as President Barack Obama outlines the nation's top priorities in his first State of the Union speech. For what it's worth (which is not much), it's clear to me their priorities are not his. The man wants to get reelected in 2012, and the Democratic majority will not and cannot help him do that. MORE: Thanks for the link, Sean Kinsell. Sean does a great job of doing what I refused to do... posted by Eric on 01.27.10 at 09:17 PM
Comments
I think you misunderstand. I didn't say there was substance, only well-delivered rhetoric. He said what I would have advised him to say had I been working for him. And said it well. (As to "NOT NOW," that is pure sarcasm on my part.) Eric Scheie · January 28, 2010 12:29 AM In fact, it is in Obama's own political interest to have the Republicans win. You're right, of course. I have trouble trying to think as cynically and self-centeredly as Obama and his insiders apparently can do with frightening ease . . . filbert · January 28, 2010 10:52 AM ...and I am glad he promised to work on repealing DADT. And so am I. But why does a nagging thought occur that he's doing it to undermine the military. I've been listening to Limbaugh too much it seems. Frank · January 28, 2010 09:51 PM Post a comment
You may use basic HTML for formatting.
|
|
January 2010
WORLD-WIDE CALENDAR
Search the Site
E-mail
Classics To Go
Archives
January 2010
December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 May 2002 AB 1634 MBAPBSAAGOP Skepticism See more archives here Old (Blogspot) archives
Recent Entries
Exploring a minor issue in "religious" detail
Smoke and Mirrors (A Rube Awakening) Let's Talk About Political Correctness! A Solar Powered Government left wing fat cat corporatist fesses up (and tugs at conservative heart strings) An Economics Rap Postmodern Robotics Full Disclosure Some thoughts on Obama, Alito, and the new war on the First Amendment Illinois Governor's Race 2010
Links
Site Credits
|
|
You heard a totally different speech than I heard, Eric.
I heard the same low-baritone drone that he used so successfully during the campaign--saying nothing really, but trying to string together enough soothing words that you somehow come away feeling--well--not totally antithetical to the message. Maybe I'm to cynical now . . . maybe I'm just immune.
But there was no substance there, I thought. My impression was that he was saying what he thought he had to say to keep the masses bamboozled.
I think politically he's screwed. Most Americans will see a lurch to the right by Obama as exactly what it is--an insincere sop to political necessity. But he can't stay out there on the outskirts of the center-left and win another election, or even be of benefit to any Democrat running in anything close to a competitive race this fall.
But if he moves towards the center, the netroots will eviscerate him as a traitor to the cause.
He's damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't.
I think he'll get a bump out of the speech, but I don't think the bump will last.
The people are, I think (and hope!) tired of Big Government, and are maybe at last ready to consider other alternatives.