I think that our government is a big part of the reason that we continue to stay in this slump. Every time that there is prospect of a bill that messes with any sector of the free market, it injects a market numbing novacaine of doubt and uncertainty. Investors would be more confortable investing with a stable market, but no one will invest as long as there are bail-outs, restrictions, and prospects of market reforms. Stop with the bailouts, and put a bill out that makes sense: One that prohibits taxes from streaming into the free market economy.
Byron Mullet - 14 years ago
President Obama and the Democrats prove every day their ideas would have never invented America in the first place. He and they seem determined to un-invent America. His socialist agenda, anti free enterprise policies, disrespect for our institutions and the constitution, dishonesty, elitist attitude and disregard for and lack of respect for the will of the people is evident. In addition I wonder, if part of the reason he doesn't just unleash the economy with tax cuts and shrinking the size, cost and scope of government meddling, is because the American people would get the credit for job creation instead of him?
john - 14 years ago
His speech was all over the map & still blaming bush for everything. This is what you get when we elect a man of very little experience & put him in the most powerful position in the world. It's like giving a 6 year old the keys to the candy store.
morphy - 14 years ago
the 43% that graded BO's speech as A or B would never grade BO below B even if he NEVER told the truth. You just can't change some people, at the low end of the gene pool.
Independent John - 14 years ago
To Jean, Arnold, and others who question the results of this poll,
Maybe the descrepancies you see are adjustments for your stuffing the ballot box.
Long live the Republic!
Independent John - 14 years ago
Those who chastise the President's "demeanor" and lack of deference to the Supreme Court must think that the Justices are too thin-skinned to be called-out for their decisions (well, maybe Justice Alito is.) The brilliance of the founders in creating the Supreme Court, Congress, and the Presidency as co-equal branches of our government cannot be denied. But, nowhere is it written that one stands above the others or that any branch should be free from criticism from the others.
President Obama's criticism of the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC is entirely justified. When the Framers wrote, "We the People...,” they knew exactly of whom they spoke, and it sure wasn’t corporations. The inability of the majority in this case to honor, or even fathom, the clear intent of the Framers is exceedingly frustrating. The free speech rights of no individuals (including corporate officers, board members, union leaders, etc.) were undermined by previous Court’s interpretation of the Constitution regarding restrictions on political speech by corporations and unions. To say otherwise is disingenuous.
Corporations are inventions useful to commerce; nothing more, nothing less. Our government has found it convenient to treat them similarly to actual persons for some purposes of law. But, it is a far stretch for the Court's majority to create this artifice wherein the rights of corporations are equal to those of citizens.
For years, this gang of five conservative Justices represented themselves to be “strict interpreters” and railed against “activist judges.” Thus, the irony of the Court majority's claim that their decision will actually enhance the free speech rights of citizens and their right to hear vis-à-vis corporations is especially bitter. Common sense and history have and will refute that claim.
Long live the Republic!
Arnold - 14 years ago
Politico didn't like the first poll and so they decided to lie.
The most important thing that I have taken away from the State of the Union speech and the comments afterwards is that our republic is in poor shape. People are immature, ignorant and inflexible. The world has changed, all. Open your eyes, drop the parochial nonsense and learn something new. We will all go down and live in a backward, improverished country unless US citizens regain a sense of intellectual curiosity and reasoning. Let's encourage our representatives to do what is best for the USA, not play the same old game. Let's move ahead in ways that will help the USA to stay a wonderful place to live; peaceful, informed, generous, educated and creative.
I don't trust polls I just did one before this and the F's were alot more then here so are they telling the truth or just what they think people want to believe.I personally thought he LIED thru his teeth as usual but then again I'm not a KOOL-AIDE drinker I can think for myself all his actions this year have proven he is out to destroy this Blessed Nation and he is an empty suit just a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER still CAMPAIGNING never stops.
Hank - 14 years ago
The arrogance of this magalomaniax is astounding in this day and age. Don't his handlers tell him just how stupid he sounds? I've never seen such incompetence/arrogance/politicizing/pandering/double-speak from a pol in all my days on this earth!
Ann - 14 years ago
To David the LIEberal: The speech is now over, he gets an F!! Deal with it!
FRANCIS DRAKE - 14 years ago
Timothy Dexter: You must not listen to the news or read the newspaper because hi Lordship Obama's approval is not good. He can talk the talk but he can't walk the walk. He talks out of both sides of his face. And if you can't see this, then you haven't a clue about what is going on in this country. He makes promises that he doesn't keep and he's all about FACE time. He is a professional liar and wants his face on everything from the television to the magazines. This guy is all about how WE THE PEOPLE should be grateful that he's the President....wrong. I might respect the office but I don't respect the man. Wake up Dexter - you getting snowed on and don't even know it. This guy is a loser on all issues.
AJD - 14 years ago
Watching the speech, looks like Obama is playing o role. An actor performing.
Anna One Anna Two - 14 years ago
The speech was good. The reply sounded like a poorly done 7th grade Current Events class report; a Cliff's Note version of what the president already said, smattered with a few jabs, but no new ideas. Notice the folks who were seated in the immediate background of the reply speech; black woman, asian man, military officer. They tried a little too hard there as well. Also, it's a little lame that no matter which party the POTUS is in, the other side's first inclination for post-SOTU is to be ready and waiting with a canned reply. I would be much more interested in what the other side had to say in response if I thought for even one minute that they actually listened to, considered, and discussed what was said, and how it was said, before they jumped up five minutes later to spit out what a speech writer wrote. I guess that's another reason I can't really line up with either one of the parties. Sad that there are otherwise nice people out there posting who are so filled with hate and rage. Being passionate in ones ideas does not necessarily have to mean being nasty to those who don't agree. That's holds true for both sides and the folks in the middle. What ever happened to listening and thinking?
kozz johnson - 14 years ago
Looks like most of the comments here are from the 20-some percent who voted F and not the 42 percent who voted A. Guess what, it didn't go over everyone's head - only the media's, and yours. In time, it will be viewed as one of Obama's most brilliant speeches. Obama is a better speaker than Reagan was, even on TV. By the end of the speech, he had the whole chamber's spellbound attention for at least 5 minutes. Almost no politician can do that.
Timothy Dexter - 14 years ago
Calli, as somebody who was born and raised in Massachusetts and who has lived there his entire life, along with generations of his family, I think I have a better idea about what goes on here than pundits in Washington or teabaggers in Texas. A lot of people here don't like having our history sullied by the likes of so-called "tea party patriots." Obama enjoys approval ratings in the high 60s here, universal health care has strong support (we have it, and Scott Brown voted for it and supported it during his campaign). The one thing we don't like is how the Democrats assume that every campaign is a fait accompli, or how they use Beacon Hill to give hand-outs to their buddies. Our election of Scott Brown was a message to them; I take issue with your misguided distortion of it as some kind of referendum on Obama or on his policies.
And despite your lame attempts to paint me as an elitist, I like my neighbors very much, and they like me, too. A feeling with which you're probably not very familiar.
Keith - 14 years ago
I was very impressed with the speech. He gets it. It's the Republicans that don't get it. He touched on issues that I feel are important to the American people, health care, jobs, education, tax cuts, ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home, bi-partisanship. You "just say no" Republicans should sit your children down and tell them if they have a pre-existing condition, I don't want you to be able to get insurance, I can't afford your college education so therefore college is out of the question, I want you to go to war. I can go on and on but you get what I am saying. Sounds like an idiotic conversation. One that I don't think you would want to have with your children. I truly believe that the POTUS wants to bring this country together. I also believe that the Republicans want this country to fail, fail in getting health care for all, fail in creating jobs, have the economy fail, just so they can defeat this president. And that's sad. Be careful what you ask for cause you just might get it.
Calli - 14 years ago
Timothy Dexter thinks he owns Boston Harbor because he is from Massachusetts and he is the final judge of who is a patriot. He has also talked telepathetically to every voter in Massachusetts and knows why they voted for Scott Brown. He believes Massahusetts exists in a vaccuum and nothing that happens in Washington can touch them. They will be unscathed by Obamacare, cuts in Medicare/Medicaid or war. Timothy Dexter thinks people voted for Scott Brown to wizz off the democrats rather than secure their own interests and that would make the people of Massachusetts vindictive self-destructive morons. I don't think Timothy much likes his neighbors.
retired 72 - 14 years ago
Most of the wing nuts are those that think he is the greatest thing going.....well folks you must be MR.
Calli - 14 years ago
Liberals or progressives or what ever they call themselves this week are willing to settle for elegant, glib speeches and empty vague promises. Obama plays them like a fiddle. He knows all the buzz words that get them hooked but he hasn't said anything substantial. His speech is nothing more than a recycled campaign speech. The most exciting thing was when he attacked the Supreme Court for overturning McCain/Feingold and claimed the door was now open for coorporations and even foreign countries to pour money into our elections to influence them and Judge Alito turned to Judge Sotomayor and mouthed "Not True". The Judge pulled a Joe Wilson. The speech was full of fantasy and lies but it only takes one turd in the punch bowl to make conservatives refuse to drink it...not so for liberals.
janiceinthemountains - 14 years ago
Great speech. You can sure tell who the wingnuts are on these postings. It is going to be a long 4-8 years for you!
American Voter - 14 years ago
I see many comments on style vs substance. Are these the same folks who ignored the issues with Rev. Wright. and Bill Ayers?
This speech was less than inspiring. It was full of blame and finger pointing, devisive, and campaign like. Empty rhetoric..keeps recycling his speeches. What a conservationist.
Baconservative - 14 years ago
I was concerned before the speech that Obama didn't get it. He just confirmed he's clueless about America. And the Government is the problem not the solution. When will he get his head out the sand ? Also he says "I" way too much.
LIBERAL??? Are you out of your mind?? I am a liberal and I can tell you, President Obama is no liberal.
People who just want to hate him will continue to make stuff up. Nuclear power plants? Opening the door to offshore drilling? Eliminating Capital gains taxes. CUTTING TAXES - that doesn't sound like a liberal to me. the far right is mad as hell and the far left is mad as hell - that says to me that he might just be doing something right. This is a democracy after all, we can just wait around for one party to have a super duper majority. at some point we do actually have to get some work done.
Continue to hate - you'll be politically irrelevant soon. Look at the younger Southern Republican Senators websites and you can miss the huge read "BIPARTISANSHIP" message. Anyone who thinks they are going to live longer than 10 years is jumping on the bipartisan bandwagon and it will continue.
Jana - 14 years ago
The cockiness of some people on this board is way out there!! Posters saying Obama is lying and saying he doesn't get it. You don't get it is what your anger is about. Since when did you sit in on any WH meetings or have access to any documents of any kind that Obama and his administration draw their conclusions from. You are out of touch w/ the limits of your information and don't have the sense to know you don't know it all. Get a grip -- and get some humility while you're at it. And btw we didn't elect you president so take a seat, shut up and let the man lead.
Jana - 14 years ago
And, adding to my above comments, Obama's SOTU speech also addressed the bail out rage and transparency w/ all earmarks! Many in that chamber must have been shaking in their shoes w/ the earmark transparency remark! Yes We Can, Mr. President! For those who want to kick Obama every day and every way: As the saying goes -- Lead, follow or get out of the way.
Jana - 14 years ago
All the "F's" come from Republicans and a handful of Independents who jump ship as soon as the wind picks up a little. Obama's speech was excellent -- and I'm an Independent. He addressed empty-headed Republican gaming at the expense of the American people, weak-minded Democrats, job growth, the deficit, closing out the Iraq War, reviving the health care reform bill, lobbyist containment and the people's frustration, distrust of Washington and the Change agenda. What more needs to be said in this speech? Spot on, Obama!
Roberti - 14 years ago
How disappointing the partisan comments and slurs are on this site. Is anyone listening? Those of you who post inflammatory defamatory comments here are contributing to the dumbing down of America. Shame on you. I am 55, a small businessman who is struggling to pay my familiy's bills, let alone my overhead (read health care) and I need hope. I look to myself for that. If my government gets in the way, I will let them know the next time I vote.
Timothy Dexter - 14 years ago
As an actual Massachusetts citizen and independent voter, rather than some rabid conservative from a thousand miles away trying to guess my intentions, I can surely tell you that the Massachusetts election had little to do with national politics, and everything to do with Massachusetts. The voters of the Bay State wanted to backhand their Democratic Party, notorious for corruption and arrogance, and they did. The MA Democratic Party got the message. But it had NOTHING to do with Obama or national health care, two things that the people of Massachusetts overwhelmingly support. Take your phony teabag party and have it somewhere else; Boston Harbor is only open to actual patriots with more than a walnut for brains.
Larrae - 14 years ago
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
Porchnik - 14 years ago
Only a hope-to-die wingnut could have a problem with what Obama said tonight, and you can be sure they're all logging on right now to post their hateful crap, calling him a Marxist and all other sorts of nonsensical b.s.
Rob - 14 years ago
Great move by Bob McDonnel to have the response in the Virgina House in front of a live audience.
THIS is a man of substance.
Solutions.GOP.Gov
ILRP - 14 years ago
Colin: What does that have to do with that anything I wrote?
Bob in NC - 14 years ago
He's a partisan idiot - he still doesn't get it, he won the election. STOP running for office and start leading you dumb fk.
Colin - 14 years ago
Bamaguy: The american people want it. The House of Representatives passed it, 60 senators wanted it and now 59 senators want it. How are the American people against this plan? The people of Massachusetts who already have healthcare reform might not want it, and republicans surely do not want it, but I will only believe the american people do not want it when 51 senators vote against it. Until then, the politicians that Americans elected support this bill.
And btw ILRP: Which president ran record deficits, adding 3 trillion dollars to the US debt? Reagan. Which president cut taxes and added 4 trillion dollars to the US debt 20 years later? Bush. Which president ran surpluses in between these two conservatives? Clinton. Now no politicians are very good at keeping spending down, but Democrats are certainly the better of the two and history proves it.
Rob - 14 years ago
He will not leave the bubble, he surrounds himself with left wing, radical progressives and none will tell him he has no clothes.
The doors have been closed on the Republicans, not by the Republicans. And God Bless them for saying NO!
Matt - 14 years ago
What is wrong with socialism? Socialism has had huge successes with Europe as well as China. The EU's GDP per capita has grown at the exact same rate as America and nobody could possibly debate that China's economy is booming. What is the huge issue with socialism? Please tell me!
ILRP - 14 years ago
Who will pay your bills when we're gone David?
david - 14 years ago
ILRP, please leave and take all the mean stupid cancervatives with you. Good ridance nazis GOPers.
bamaguy - 14 years ago
Colin: The current health care reform was not just giving Americans the opportunity to buy the insurance that congress has. Americans already have that option. HC reformed wanted to force everyone to buy insurance whether they could afford it or not in order to pay for those who refuse to work and provide for themselves. And the Republicans were correct to oppose it. But the deal was, it did not matter. The republicans were irrelevant since they could not stop it. It was the democrats that were completely in charge and could not pass it. And that was because the American People said no.
ILRP - 14 years ago
"I now have totally given up any hope of this man and this administration"
I am with you Natalie........ I may have to leave this country after all. I was so hopeful after Scott won, now I am depressed again!
ILRP - 14 years ago
Sounds like he is running for office now.
Natalie - 14 years ago
It is stunning to me the arrogance that this man shows after the people of Mass. voted a very strong message- no national health care, stop the spending, stop the government control- it's as if he's been away for the last year or so. He talks of massive programs that will cost huge amounts of dollars and lies really about how we will pay for them. He forgets that all these bailouts have decimated most of the middle class- decimated those who believe in saving and being diligent, working to pay debts. How dare he talk about the jobs that were saved by the bailouts?? Really amazing- this man has no integrity, no morals. I now have totally given up any hope of this man and this administration, particularly after Geitner's insulting appearance earlier.
ILRP - 14 years ago
This is the first state of the Union that I have ever listened to. I think he thinks we're stupid.
I can't believe he just brought up climate change!
Barrack The Boring - 14 years ago
The speech sucks. The POTUS is an ass. His party is a bunch of arrogant nitwits. Down with the man. Power to the people!
Larrae - 14 years ago
Promises, promises. Talk is cheap -- walk the walk dude.
Diana Collins - 14 years ago
I am with you Colin... Pass a the Health Bill Congress-- it works for the American people.
Rob - 14 years ago
Does the truth mean ANYTHING to this President????
Colin - 14 years ago
The only reason he hasn't gotten anything done is because republicans block every single thing that he tries to pass. The public option is debatable sure and maybe its "socialized medicine", but how is giving uninsured Americans the chance to purchase the same plan that senators get a hard decision to make? Where does this plan become a problem? And what about Pay as You Go? Why is this an issue? I understand the arguments against some of the landmark reforms that Obama wants, but I do not understand how Republicans can filibuster and fight against every single bill that Obama and the Democrats present.
david - 14 years ago
I love how Obama's speeches drive the wing nuts batty. Makes them even more unstable, ha.
Diana Collins - 14 years ago
It's incredible how he address the elephants in the room so eloquently. He stands for me. As he said recently in an interview, "I did not run for this job to get reelected, I ran for the job to work for the American."
Cuban Pete - 14 years ago
What are you smoking to say this???? >>>> "Its an excellent speech. Very confident and pragmatic." Get off the dope, dude!! This POTUS and his lib-DUMB cohorts are Socialists to the core!!
D - 14 years ago
Its an excellent speech. Very confident and pragmatic.
Cuban Pete - 14 years ago
The emporer ('er POTUS) has no clothes! Mr. 'Tax & Spend' big LIBERAL Obama continues on his merry path of Socialism at any cost!!!
John Allen - 14 years ago
I turned it off. He says the same thing over and over and over. The job is jut to big for the man. We need to get back to a real health care reform bill. One the elimates fraud, tort reform, cover those that want coverage and can't afford it, eliminate pre-existing clause by insurance companies and keep it simple without any PORK. I don't think this congress can pass a bill without port. I have listend to this man 18 months while he was running for President and one year since he became President and he only talks what he thing people want to hear but he can't walk the walk. Through the whole bunch out in November and get a new President in three years. I am tired of all the talking points that go on and on and say the same thing and do nothing.
david - 14 years ago
The speech is not even over and the cancervatives are giving it an F. Cancervatives are F up.
Dot - 14 years ago
HE JUST DOESN'T GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SPEND, SPEND, SPEND, LIE, LIE, LIE. HE IS VERY GOOD AT THAT.
I think that our government is a big part of the reason that we continue to stay in this slump. Every time that there is prospect of a bill that messes with any sector of the free market, it injects a market numbing novacaine of doubt and uncertainty. Investors would be more confortable investing with a stable market, but no one will invest as long as there are bail-outs, restrictions, and prospects of market reforms. Stop with the bailouts, and put a bill out that makes sense: One that prohibits taxes from streaming into the free market economy.
President Obama and the Democrats prove every day their ideas would have never invented America in the first place. He and they seem determined to un-invent America. His socialist agenda, anti free enterprise policies, disrespect for our institutions and the constitution, dishonesty, elitist attitude and disregard for and lack of respect for the will of the people is evident. In addition I wonder, if part of the reason he doesn't just unleash the economy with tax cuts and shrinking the size, cost and scope of government meddling, is because the American people would get the credit for job creation instead of him?
His speech was all over the map & still blaming bush for everything. This is what you get when we elect a man of very little experience & put him in the most powerful position in the world. It's like giving a 6 year old the keys to the candy store.
the 43% that graded BO's speech as A or B would never grade BO below B even if he NEVER told the truth. You just can't change some people, at the low end of the gene pool.
To Jean, Arnold, and others who question the results of this poll,
Maybe the descrepancies you see are adjustments for your stuffing the ballot box.
Long live the Republic!
Those who chastise the President's "demeanor" and lack of deference to the Supreme Court must think that the Justices are too thin-skinned to be called-out for their decisions (well, maybe Justice Alito is.) The brilliance of the founders in creating the Supreme Court, Congress, and the Presidency as co-equal branches of our government cannot be denied. But, nowhere is it written that one stands above the others or that any branch should be free from criticism from the others.
President Obama's criticism of the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC is entirely justified. When the Framers wrote, "We the People...,” they knew exactly of whom they spoke, and it sure wasn’t corporations. The inability of the majority in this case to honor, or even fathom, the clear intent of the Framers is exceedingly frustrating. The free speech rights of no individuals (including corporate officers, board members, union leaders, etc.) were undermined by previous Court’s interpretation of the Constitution regarding restrictions on political speech by corporations and unions. To say otherwise is disingenuous.
Corporations are inventions useful to commerce; nothing more, nothing less. Our government has found it convenient to treat them similarly to actual persons for some purposes of law. But, it is a far stretch for the Court's majority to create this artifice wherein the rights of corporations are equal to those of citizens.
For years, this gang of five conservative Justices represented themselves to be “strict interpreters” and railed against “activist judges.” Thus, the irony of the Court majority's claim that their decision will actually enhance the free speech rights of citizens and their right to hear vis-à-vis corporations is especially bitter. Common sense and history have and will refute that claim.
Long live the Republic!
Politico didn't like the first poll and so they decided to lie.
http://dyn.politico.com/polls/poll_voterresults.cfm?uuid=72FBE620-18FE-70B2-A84D15B701873BB2
The most important thing that I have taken away from the State of the Union speech and the comments afterwards is that our republic is in poor shape. People are immature, ignorant and inflexible. The world has changed, all. Open your eyes, drop the parochial nonsense and learn something new. We will all go down and live in a backward, improverished country unless US citizens regain a sense of intellectual curiosity and reasoning. Let's encourage our representatives to do what is best for the USA, not play the same old game. Let's move ahead in ways that will help the USA to stay a wonderful place to live; peaceful, informed, generous, educated and creative.
I don't trust polls I just did one before this and the F's were alot more then here so are they telling the truth or just what they think people want to believe.I personally thought he LIED thru his teeth as usual but then again I'm not a KOOL-AIDE drinker I can think for myself all his actions this year have proven he is out to destroy this Blessed Nation and he is an empty suit just a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER still CAMPAIGNING never stops.
The arrogance of this magalomaniax is astounding in this day and age. Don't his handlers tell him just how stupid he sounds? I've never seen such incompetence/arrogance/politicizing/pandering/double-speak from a pol in all my days on this earth!
To David the LIEberal: The speech is now over, he gets an F!! Deal with it!
Timothy Dexter: You must not listen to the news or read the newspaper because hi Lordship Obama's approval is not good. He can talk the talk but he can't walk the walk. He talks out of both sides of his face. And if you can't see this, then you haven't a clue about what is going on in this country. He makes promises that he doesn't keep and he's all about FACE time. He is a professional liar and wants his face on everything from the television to the magazines. This guy is all about how WE THE PEOPLE should be grateful that he's the President....wrong. I might respect the office but I don't respect the man. Wake up Dexter - you getting snowed on and don't even know it. This guy is a loser on all issues.
Watching the speech, looks like Obama is playing o role. An actor performing.
The speech was good. The reply sounded like a poorly done 7th grade Current Events class report; a Cliff's Note version of what the president already said, smattered with a few jabs, but no new ideas. Notice the folks who were seated in the immediate background of the reply speech; black woman, asian man, military officer. They tried a little too hard there as well. Also, it's a little lame that no matter which party the POTUS is in, the other side's first inclination for post-SOTU is to be ready and waiting with a canned reply. I would be much more interested in what the other side had to say in response if I thought for even one minute that they actually listened to, considered, and discussed what was said, and how it was said, before they jumped up five minutes later to spit out what a speech writer wrote. I guess that's another reason I can't really line up with either one of the parties. Sad that there are otherwise nice people out there posting who are so filled with hate and rage. Being passionate in ones ideas does not necessarily have to mean being nasty to those who don't agree. That's holds true for both sides and the folks in the middle. What ever happened to listening and thinking?
Looks like most of the comments here are from the 20-some percent who voted F and not the 42 percent who voted A. Guess what, it didn't go over everyone's head - only the media's, and yours. In time, it will be viewed as one of Obama's most brilliant speeches. Obama is a better speaker than Reagan was, even on TV. By the end of the speech, he had the whole chamber's spellbound attention for at least 5 minutes. Almost no politician can do that.
Calli, as somebody who was born and raised in Massachusetts and who has lived there his entire life, along with generations of his family, I think I have a better idea about what goes on here than pundits in Washington or teabaggers in Texas. A lot of people here don't like having our history sullied by the likes of so-called "tea party patriots." Obama enjoys approval ratings in the high 60s here, universal health care has strong support (we have it, and Scott Brown voted for it and supported it during his campaign). The one thing we don't like is how the Democrats assume that every campaign is a fait accompli, or how they use Beacon Hill to give hand-outs to their buddies. Our election of Scott Brown was a message to them; I take issue with your misguided distortion of it as some kind of referendum on Obama or on his policies.
And despite your lame attempts to paint me as an elitist, I like my neighbors very much, and they like me, too. A feeling with which you're probably not very familiar.
I was very impressed with the speech. He gets it. It's the Republicans that don't get it. He touched on issues that I feel are important to the American people, health care, jobs, education, tax cuts, ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home, bi-partisanship. You "just say no" Republicans should sit your children down and tell them if they have a pre-existing condition, I don't want you to be able to get insurance, I can't afford your college education so therefore college is out of the question, I want you to go to war. I can go on and on but you get what I am saying. Sounds like an idiotic conversation. One that I don't think you would want to have with your children. I truly believe that the POTUS wants to bring this country together. I also believe that the Republicans want this country to fail, fail in getting health care for all, fail in creating jobs, have the economy fail, just so they can defeat this president. And that's sad. Be careful what you ask for cause you just might get it.
Timothy Dexter thinks he owns Boston Harbor because he is from Massachusetts and he is the final judge of who is a patriot. He has also talked telepathetically to every voter in Massachusetts and knows why they voted for Scott Brown. He believes Massahusetts exists in a vaccuum and nothing that happens in Washington can touch them. They will be unscathed by Obamacare, cuts in Medicare/Medicaid or war. Timothy Dexter thinks people voted for Scott Brown to wizz off the democrats rather than secure their own interests and that would make the people of Massachusetts vindictive self-destructive morons. I don't think Timothy much likes his neighbors.
Most of the wing nuts are those that think he is the greatest thing going.....well folks you must be MR.
Liberals or progressives or what ever they call themselves this week are willing to settle for elegant, glib speeches and empty vague promises. Obama plays them like a fiddle. He knows all the buzz words that get them hooked but he hasn't said anything substantial. His speech is nothing more than a recycled campaign speech. The most exciting thing was when he attacked the Supreme Court for overturning McCain/Feingold and claimed the door was now open for coorporations and even foreign countries to pour money into our elections to influence them and Judge Alito turned to Judge Sotomayor and mouthed "Not True". The Judge pulled a Joe Wilson. The speech was full of fantasy and lies but it only takes one turd in the punch bowl to make conservatives refuse to drink it...not so for liberals.
Great speech. You can sure tell who the wingnuts are on these postings. It is going to be a long 4-8 years for you!
I see many comments on style vs substance. Are these the same folks who ignored the issues with Rev. Wright. and Bill Ayers?
This speech was less than inspiring. It was full of blame and finger pointing, devisive, and campaign like. Empty rhetoric..keeps recycling his speeches. What a conservationist.
I was concerned before the speech that Obama didn't get it. He just confirmed he's clueless about America. And the Government is the problem not the solution. When will he get his head out the sand ? Also he says "I" way too much.
Fact Check :
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100128/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_fact_check
LIBERAL??? Are you out of your mind?? I am a liberal and I can tell you, President Obama is no liberal.
People who just want to hate him will continue to make stuff up. Nuclear power plants? Opening the door to offshore drilling? Eliminating Capital gains taxes. CUTTING TAXES - that doesn't sound like a liberal to me. the far right is mad as hell and the far left is mad as hell - that says to me that he might just be doing something right. This is a democracy after all, we can just wait around for one party to have a super duper majority. at some point we do actually have to get some work done.
Continue to hate - you'll be politically irrelevant soon. Look at the younger Southern Republican Senators websites and you can miss the huge read "BIPARTISANSHIP" message. Anyone who thinks they are going to live longer than 10 years is jumping on the bipartisan bandwagon and it will continue.
The cockiness of some people on this board is way out there!! Posters saying Obama is lying and saying he doesn't get it. You don't get it is what your anger is about. Since when did you sit in on any WH meetings or have access to any documents of any kind that Obama and his administration draw their conclusions from. You are out of touch w/ the limits of your information and don't have the sense to know you don't know it all. Get a grip -- and get some humility while you're at it. And btw we didn't elect you president so take a seat, shut up and let the man lead.
And, adding to my above comments, Obama's SOTU speech also addressed the bail out rage and transparency w/ all earmarks! Many in that chamber must have been shaking in their shoes w/ the earmark transparency remark! Yes We Can, Mr. President! For those who want to kick Obama every day and every way: As the saying goes -- Lead, follow or get out of the way.
All the "F's" come from Republicans and a handful of Independents who jump ship as soon as the wind picks up a little. Obama's speech was excellent -- and I'm an Independent. He addressed empty-headed Republican gaming at the expense of the American people, weak-minded Democrats, job growth, the deficit, closing out the Iraq War, reviving the health care reform bill, lobbyist containment and the people's frustration, distrust of Washington and the Change agenda. What more needs to be said in this speech? Spot on, Obama!
How disappointing the partisan comments and slurs are on this site. Is anyone listening? Those of you who post inflammatory defamatory comments here are contributing to the dumbing down of America. Shame on you. I am 55, a small businessman who is struggling to pay my familiy's bills, let alone my overhead (read health care) and I need hope. I look to myself for that. If my government gets in the way, I will let them know the next time I vote.
As an actual Massachusetts citizen and independent voter, rather than some rabid conservative from a thousand miles away trying to guess my intentions, I can surely tell you that the Massachusetts election had little to do with national politics, and everything to do with Massachusetts. The voters of the Bay State wanted to backhand their Democratic Party, notorious for corruption and arrogance, and they did. The MA Democratic Party got the message. But it had NOTHING to do with Obama or national health care, two things that the people of Massachusetts overwhelmingly support. Take your phony teabag party and have it somewhere else; Boston Harbor is only open to actual patriots with more than a walnut for brains.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
Only a hope-to-die wingnut could have a problem with what Obama said tonight, and you can be sure they're all logging on right now to post their hateful crap, calling him a Marxist and all other sorts of nonsensical b.s.
Great move by Bob McDonnel to have the response in the Virgina House in front of a live audience.
THIS is a man of substance.
Solutions.GOP.Gov
Colin: What does that have to do with that anything I wrote?
He's a partisan idiot - he still doesn't get it, he won the election. STOP running for office and start leading you dumb fk.
Bamaguy: The american people want it. The House of Representatives passed it, 60 senators wanted it and now 59 senators want it. How are the American people against this plan? The people of Massachusetts who already have healthcare reform might not want it, and republicans surely do not want it, but I will only believe the american people do not want it when 51 senators vote against it. Until then, the politicians that Americans elected support this bill.
And btw ILRP: Which president ran record deficits, adding 3 trillion dollars to the US debt? Reagan. Which president cut taxes and added 4 trillion dollars to the US debt 20 years later? Bush. Which president ran surpluses in between these two conservatives? Clinton. Now no politicians are very good at keeping spending down, but Democrats are certainly the better of the two and history proves it.
He will not leave the bubble, he surrounds himself with left wing, radical progressives and none will tell him he has no clothes.
The doors have been closed on the Republicans, not by the Republicans. And God Bless them for saying NO!
What is wrong with socialism? Socialism has had huge successes with Europe as well as China. The EU's GDP per capita has grown at the exact same rate as America and nobody could possibly debate that China's economy is booming. What is the huge issue with socialism? Please tell me!
Who will pay your bills when we're gone David?
ILRP, please leave and take all the mean stupid cancervatives with you. Good ridance nazis GOPers.
Colin: The current health care reform was not just giving Americans the opportunity to buy the insurance that congress has. Americans already have that option. HC reformed wanted to force everyone to buy insurance whether they could afford it or not in order to pay for those who refuse to work and provide for themselves. And the Republicans were correct to oppose it. But the deal was, it did not matter. The republicans were irrelevant since they could not stop it. It was the democrats that were completely in charge and could not pass it. And that was because the American People said no.
"I now have totally given up any hope of this man and this administration"
I am with you Natalie........ I may have to leave this country after all. I was so hopeful after Scott won, now I am depressed again!
Sounds like he is running for office now.
It is stunning to me the arrogance that this man shows after the people of Mass. voted a very strong message- no national health care, stop the spending, stop the government control- it's as if he's been away for the last year or so. He talks of massive programs that will cost huge amounts of dollars and lies really about how we will pay for them. He forgets that all these bailouts have decimated most of the middle class- decimated those who believe in saving and being diligent, working to pay debts. How dare he talk about the jobs that were saved by the bailouts?? Really amazing- this man has no integrity, no morals. I now have totally given up any hope of this man and this administration, particularly after Geitner's insulting appearance earlier.
This is the first state of the Union that I have ever listened to. I think he thinks we're stupid.
I can't believe he just brought up climate change!
The speech sucks. The POTUS is an ass. His party is a bunch of arrogant nitwits. Down with the man. Power to the people!
Promises, promises. Talk is cheap -- walk the walk dude.
I am with you Colin... Pass a the Health Bill Congress-- it works for the American people.
Does the truth mean ANYTHING to this President????
The only reason he hasn't gotten anything done is because republicans block every single thing that he tries to pass. The public option is debatable sure and maybe its "socialized medicine", but how is giving uninsured Americans the chance to purchase the same plan that senators get a hard decision to make? Where does this plan become a problem? And what about Pay as You Go? Why is this an issue? I understand the arguments against some of the landmark reforms that Obama wants, but I do not understand how Republicans can filibuster and fight against every single bill that Obama and the Democrats present.
I love how Obama's speeches drive the wing nuts batty. Makes them even more unstable, ha.
It's incredible how he address the elephants in the room so eloquently. He stands for me. As he said recently in an interview, "I did not run for this job to get reelected, I ran for the job to work for the American."
What are you smoking to say this???? >>>> "Its an excellent speech. Very confident and pragmatic." Get off the dope, dude!! This POTUS and his lib-DUMB cohorts are Socialists to the core!!
Its an excellent speech. Very confident and pragmatic.
The emporer ('er POTUS) has no clothes! Mr. 'Tax & Spend' big LIBERAL Obama continues on his merry path of Socialism at any cost!!!
I turned it off. He says the same thing over and over and over. The job is jut to big for the man. We need to get back to a real health care reform bill. One the elimates fraud, tort reform, cover those that want coverage and can't afford it, eliminate pre-existing clause by insurance companies and keep it simple without any PORK. I don't think this congress can pass a bill without port. I have listend to this man 18 months while he was running for President and one year since he became President and he only talks what he thing people want to hear but he can't walk the walk. Through the whole bunch out in November and get a new President in three years. I am tired of all the talking points that go on and on and say the same thing and do nothing.
The speech is not even over and the cancervatives are giving it an F. Cancervatives are F up.
HE JUST DOESN'T GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SPEND, SPEND, SPEND, LIE, LIE, LIE. HE IS VERY GOOD AT THAT.