State of the Union Response: Will Anyone Survive?

[Jrrarglblarg]

I'm the eternal optimist. I try to give humanity in general the benefit of doubt. I'm frequently disappointed when observable reality of human behaviour differs from my optimistic expectations.

<snip for brevity>

But, just in case we have any doubts as to Lee's grasp of reality he continues with:

We have a new generation of leaders in Washington with positive, innovative ideas - thoughtful policy reforms to, as my friend Senator Ted Cruz

So, this clown sides with "burn down the house" Cruz? I think that's enough of that.

Thanks for the report on this perfect example of the very thing I said above.

 

[barehl]

This could be merged with the State of the Union thread if someone wants brevity.

 

[barehl]

Thanks for the report on this perfect example of the very thing I said above.

Ted Cruz is also against birth control of any kind. No sane person would side with Cruz. Even the Catholic Church's Bishops Council said birth control was a good thing.

 

[KoihimeNakamura]

Rogers has a stupidly safe seat. No surprise they picked her.

 

[barehl]

Even Michael Steele (former RNC head) had trouble explaining the response. Basically, he said that there was no reason to give any strong points since they couldn't compete anyway so they were saving these points for later. In other words, Steele is arguing that the GOP is using Ali's rope-a-dope strategy. It's easy to see that the GOP got pummeled but their odds of coming back later with a knockout is not very high.

 

[Monketi Ghost]

It's odd how little coverage the SOTU and the response is getting. Google News isn't exactly featuring it.

 

[barehl]

It's odd how little coverage the SOTU and the response is getting. Google News isn't exactly featuring it.

It's the top story at Google News.

 

[Monketi Ghost]

D'oh! Facts are stupid things.

 

[barehl]

The one speech that did not disappoint me was Rand Paul. He showed with no uncertainty that he is completely out of touch with reality and has no chance of ever, ever, ever being elected President. On the other hand, the setting for his speech made it clear that he is planning to run for an executive office. I guess this could either be governor or president.

 

[barehl]

Paul Ryan took careful aim at his foot and fired by rejecting any notion of immigration reform. He reloaded and aimed at the other foot. This time he unloaded both barrels by claiming that raising the minimum wage would hurt minorities. This level of political incompetence is staggering. How is this going to play against Obama's slogan of "give Americans a raise"?

BTW, Paul Ryan's claim of immigration fairness leaves him wide open to a comparison with Rupert Murdoch's rush to the front of the line. This is really tone deaf.

 

[The Big Dog]

wow, after the tone of the opening post, I'm really surprised that the responses have garnered generally negative reviews in this thread.

Here is my surprised face: o

 

[Monketi Ghost]

wow, after the tone of the opening post, I'm really surprised that the responses have garnered generally negative reviews in this thread.

Here is my surprised face: o

I must have missed the posts where you gave your opinion of who did well.
Here's my surprised face

 

[barehl]

And, today we have Obama doubling down on the SOTU with his speech in Maryland. Meanwhile, Republicans are lamely trying to explain why they are against ideas that are popular even among a majority in the tea party. There were definitely Republican casualties from this.

 

[turingtest]

Rodgers' speech was much worse than I expected. Who picked that setting on a couch by a fireplace? That would be perfect for a First Lady speech but not for this. Her opening was rambling; I didn't hear anything in it. The first real substance was when she criticized Obama. Her fake enthusiasm was grating; she came across as the worst spokesperson I've ever seen. I also didn't hear anything of substance in all that feel good filler about her family. I noticed that she criticized against specifics but didn't give any specifics of her own, none, zip, zero. Not even one specific program or policy. Yet, she managed to rail against taxes even though the wealthy are doing quite well. She railed against the ACA against the proof of millions new insured. Someone should have told her that one anecdote doesn't cut it; she needed some hard figures. She re-affirmed that the Republicans aren't serious about immigration reform. And, strangely she claimed that Republicans are helping create business and helping education with not one program for either. Rodgers failed to score even once with that speech. I was expecting something stronger.

My impression of Rodgers' response was "vapid Suzy Homemaker delivering empty platitudes"; and not very well done even for that sort of thing- way too laid-on-thick actressy.

And I don't think I'll ever understand the kind of speech that can criticize Obama specifically (and Democrats in general) for too much governmental interference in Americans' lives- and simultaneously claim "but we have better plans!" (Without, of course, saying just what those plans are) "Staying out of it" isn't a plan, it's pretending there isn't a problem that needs one.

 

[Ladewig]

I loved Mike Lee saying that his own party has been part of the problem -- by compromising too much with the Democrats.

 

[Olowkow]

My impression of Rodgers' response was "vapid Suzy Homemaker delivering empty platitudes"; and not very well done even for that sort of thing- way too laid-on-thick actressy.

And I don't think I'll ever understand the kind of speech that can criticize Obama specifically (and Democrats in general) for too much governmental interference in Americans' lives- and simultaneously claim "but we have better plans!" (Without, of course, saying just what those plans are) "Staying out of it" isn't a plan, it's pretending there isn't a problem that needs one.

It was very, very "republican" in tone, and I can see why conservatives love this kind of thing. It's culturally reassuring and soothing. We liberals occupy a very different universe.

I personally found it very annoying and had to turn off the sound. She needs to work on her delivery....and her message....and her writing style...and.... She does have nice teeth and hair, dresses well and looks healthy. I'm learning conserva-talk.

 

[Spindrift]

It was very, very "republican" in tone, and I can see why conservatives love this kind of thing. It's culturally reassuring and soothing. We liberals occupy a very different universe.

I personally found it very annoying and had to turn off the sound. She needs to work on her delivery....and her message....and her writing style...and.... She does have nice teeth and hair, dresses well and looks healthy. I'm learning conserva-talk.

bolding mine
That's unfair criticism. I doubt she wrote the speech.

 

[barehl]

Did you see all the Republicans claiming that requiring $10.10 an hour for federal contractors was a dictatorial grab for power by an out of control president? See, that's how it starts. First, federal contractors raise minimum wage, then maybe MacDonalds and Walmart and the next thing you know we are all marching in goose step.

 

[Olowkow]

bolding mine
That's unfair criticism. I doubt she wrote the speech.

I was wondering whether she may have had trouble reading it, emphasis and focus was off at times, because it was not her writing, but something about it told me it would have been more likely she had written it. I don't know for sure, so yes, fair point.

 

[MattusMaximus]

I love how the Republicans are spending so much political capital going after the President... someone who will never be running for office again (at least for the presidency). And in the process, as Obama and the Democrats propose solutions, all the GOP can come up with is "Not if Obama wants it." Can't help fools.

These goofballs really need to start paying more attention to their strategists. Of course, if I were a strategist for the GOP, I probably would have pulled all my hair out and quit a long time ago.