The National Journal broke the embargo; here is the text of the speech.
THAT WAS NICE...
Having seen the speech, I thought Obama did a nice job of praising America and its can-do spirit (Yes, it's sad that we doubt out President's skill and will on the topic of America's greatness, but there it is). He also did a nice job of pretending to be open to reason and compromise on, for example, some of the finer points of ObamaCare, or on medical malpractice reform.
However - did I really hear him suggest that Congress ought to tackle immigration reform, Social Security reform, and tax simplification? Any one of those agenda items looks like too much for Washington to process just now.
Maybe the strategy is to throw out an impressively ambitious agenda, hide behind Harry and the Senate if the House Republicans actually take him up on any of this, blame a dysfunctional system when nothing get done, and ask voters to send him some Democrats to help him in Congress in the 2012 election.
I see some of the women didn't get the word to never wear black or grey, in order not to blend in with the men's suits.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 25, 2011 at 09:09 PM
Have a seat!
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Ah, it is going to be a chin in the air night.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 25, 2011 at 09:12 PM
Talking points delivered...
LUN
Posted by: Stephanie | January 25, 2011 at 09:12 PM
Huh. Michelle's dress doesn't look half bad, I'd say.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:12 PM
Paul Ryan is a lot like some of the rock bands I've seen over the years. I have to sit through a crappy opening act.
Dave,
I so agree. I know every word out of the man's mouth is a lie, so why even bother. And of course I am bothering.
Posted by: Jane | January 25, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Maxine Waters and David Dreier!
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:13 PM
oh jeez, JMH, the Prom pairings are gonna be the snarkiest part!
Posted by: centralcal | January 25, 2011 at 09:15 PM
I can't watch.
Posted by: Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet | January 25, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Boehner already has a "How long until this is over?" look on his face.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:16 PM
Pelosi and Bartlet of Maryland
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 25, 2011 at 09:16 PM
I haven't seen Pelosi yet. Does she have her Snuggie on?
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:17 PM
CSPAN.org isn't responding anymore - thankfully there's PJTV.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 25, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Biden looks like he has a mouthful of lemons.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 25, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Together! Maybe the applause will be limited to the unity words.
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Barack Obama, economic genius.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Can Boehner read the prompter from his vantage? It would be even worse to see it before O says it.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 25, 2011 at 09:18 PM
He is boring, and a liar, and his faux unity is a joke.
BTW it was so cold here last night that 3 soda cans in my garage blew their entire tops and I had fresca all over my walls.
Posted by: Jane | January 25, 2011 at 09:19 PM
"That world has changed. . ." unless you work for the government,
Posted by: Sandy Daze | January 25, 2011 at 09:19 PM
His tone of heartfelt empathy with those who are struggling to make ends meet is so fake sounding.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:19 PM
Investing is a BIG drinking word.
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:19 PM
on a conference call, unfortunately. maybe I have the better bargain.
Posted by: matt | January 25, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Yeah, let's show the world how America can take its lead from China.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:20 PM
I can't watch.
I made a stab at the stream of mendacity and realized that I can't even read it. Perfessor Alfred E. Obama is going to miss his fourth putt here.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 25, 2011 at 09:20 PM
It looks like he's left TOTUS at home, unless he's just flipping pages for show.
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:21 PM
As a counterpoint, I'm going to liveblog "Eraser", now on AMC (on the East Coast).
Arnold just shot out the glass in the alligator exhibit at the zoo, and a gator bit a bad guy's arm off.
Posted by: bgates | January 25, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Does anybody ever do an official platitude count?
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Yea, "investment" in education...China OMG! a solar power research.
"The future is ours to win" (Begining January 20th, 2013).
Posted by: RichatUF | January 25, 2011 at 09:22 PM
"Now it's our turn?" gimme a break.
Posted by: Jane | January 25, 2011 at 09:22 PM
"We need to take responsibility for our deficit."
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:22 PM
McCain should be happy. It sounds like Obama just said the fundamentals of the economy are strong. That statement worked so well for McCain.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 25, 2011 at 09:22 PM
I'm betting big time on partners, partnering, partnerships.
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:23 PM
WOW,Jane! You have got to move up here to northern New Hampshire. Somehow we miss all the weather horrors.
Posted by: MaryD | January 25, 2011 at 09:23 PM
The CGI alligators don't look too bad for 1996. The scene where Arnold shoots one in the head is a little fake, but it's saved by the punch line:
"You're luggage".
Posted by: bgates | January 25, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Barack Obama, technology wonk.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:23 PM
So let's close all our old industries and convert to green. I liked Edison's incandescent bulb.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
The great orator still punctuates EVERY word with a hand gesture and frequenty his ET fingers.
Posted by: centralcal | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
I'm watching the ACC game.
Posted by: SunnyDay | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
pedantic bastard. . .
Posted by: Sandy Daze | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
Oh I'm sure Totus is there, or some gigantic electric billboard hanging from the balcony.
You ended NASA idiot, so stop talking about other people's accomplishments.
Posted by: Jane | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
"and a gator bit a bad guy's arm off"
Which arm?
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
Favorite thought so far...you know it's cold if your Fresca blows up.
Posted by: Janet | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
Boy the applause is very sparse.
Posted by: Jane | January 25, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Remember that we are cutting a check to the Russians to launch our astronauts on their rocket.
Posted by: RichatUF | January 25, 2011 at 09:25 PM
"so cold here last night"...
Almost got to 32 today for the first time since Jan 1st. Should get there by Friday. I grew up in MA and I miss winter with temps in the 40's. Makes it a lot easier. Much dirtier snow along the roads however though it never lasted long.
Posted by: harrjf | January 25, 2011 at 09:25 PM
I'm watching the 'Incredible Hulk' because outside of the eight foot high green and
purple mutant, it's more realistic, than this.
Posted by: narciso | January 25, 2011 at 09:25 PM
So are these roofer guys profitable now?
Posted by: MayBee | January 25, 2011 at 09:26 PM
He's done this sputnik thing almost as many times as slurpees. Moonwise, we're talking China now, Mr. Prez.
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:26 PM
It would be awesome if a Fresca blew up inside the podium.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 25, 2011 at 09:26 PM
I am listening to it. Did Boehner clap when he said "Green Energy." Please say no.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 25, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Rich,
Maybe that's where he got the Sputnick theme.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 25, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Incentives are the new investment.
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:26 PM
What is with Boehner's baby pink tie? Stupid.
The teleprompters are almost in front of Biden and Boehner on my HD TV.....too much transparency if you ask me. Can everyone else see them? Ha ha
Posted by: Ann | January 25, 2011 at 09:26 PM
I thought it was the right arm, but I rewound (love the DVR) and it was actually the left.
But most of the guy was in another alligator's mouth at the time.
Posted by: bgates | January 25, 2011 at 09:27 PM
Why is *this* our Sputnik moment?
Posted by: MayBee | January 25, 2011 at 09:27 PM
I find this meat loaf rather shallow and pedantic.
Posted by: Peter Griffin | January 25, 2011 at 09:27 PM
What a putz!
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 25, 2011 at 09:27 PM
He also closed Yucca Mountain (running afoul of a federal judge in the process). Yea, biofuels, even Al Gore nows that it is a scam.
Posted by: RichatUF | January 25, 2011 at 09:27 PM
Drill, Jughead.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 25, 2011 at 09:27 PM
If you want CGI gators, I recommend SyFy Channel Sat. night, 8 PM CST: "Mega Python Vs. Gatoroid"
The commercials look utterly ridiculous. But it has Tiffany and Debbie Gibson!
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:28 PM
mendacious bastard. . .
Posted by: Sandy Daze | January 25, 2011 at 09:28 PM
James Coburn was 68 when he made this movie, and he looked terrific.
Posted by: bgates | January 25, 2011 at 09:28 PM
His new kinda grinding tone on one word a sentence is annoying me.
Posted by: MayBee | January 25, 2011 at 09:29 PM
sparse
I was thinking that, too.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Will he say voucher?
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 25, 2011 at 09:30 PM
He's talking about ROE on education spending.
Seems to me we could save a lot more by axing Dept. of Ed.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:31 PM
when a president walks into the oval office it should be a place of high expectation and high performance
not socialist claptrap
Posted by: Sandy Daze | January 25, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Wow. Office Depot going back to the "Ancient Chinese Secret" well in their commercials.
it has Tiffany and Debbie Gibson!
I'm glad you mentioned that, PD, because I saw that commercial late one night and kind of thought I imagined it. I feel better knowing that one came out of somebody else.
Posted by: bgates | January 25, 2011 at 09:31 PM
I hope they cut to "Heidi"
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 25, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Well, this is really boring so far.
Posted by: centralcal | January 25, 2011 at 09:32 PM
I like the way he declares "race to the top" a success with no results to show for it.
Posted by: MayBee | January 25, 2011 at 09:32 PM
...except for the ones that make the unions look bad.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 25, 2011 at 09:32 PM
I wonder how long it takes 'gators to floss after eating a bad guy?
I'll bet they cheat and skip teeth.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 25, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Now he wants to copy South Korea's ultra-nationalism
Posted by: MayBee | January 25, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Narciso, is that the Edward Norton Incredible Hulk or the Eric Bana Incredible Hulk?
Posted by: bgates | January 25, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Well he has all that CAC experience in "fixing" education.
Don't become a teacher, homeschool.
Posted by: RichatUF | January 25, 2011 at 09:34 PM
"We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones."
Yeah, you've been saying that for two years. What have you done about it?
What, for example, do you propose to do with a crappy teacher? Stand up to the union and terminate that teacher's employment?
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:34 PM
I just saw TOTUS on my screen. (mute)
Posted by: caro | January 25, 2011 at 09:34 PM
I interviewed a guy on my radio show a couple of weeks ago who was out to make sure "race to the top" got axed. And even in MA he thought there was a pretty good chance of that.
Posted by: Jane | January 25, 2011 at 09:34 PM
It's the Edward Norton one, with Liv Tyler.
Posted by: narciso | January 25, 2011 at 09:34 PM
He says we've ended the unwarranted subsidies to banks.
Um, just who was it that's been bailing out banks?
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Forsyth Tech was doing great work before they ever heard the name Obama.
Posted by: JM Hanes | January 25, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Gators eating bad guys? There was a gator that took a liking to the drainage ditch over by Hume Hall and the New Physics Building-long story.
Posted by: RichatUF | January 25, 2011 at 09:35 PM
I like the way he declares "race to the top" a success with no results to show for it.
Well, it's intentions that matter, not results.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:37 PM
the first, what 20 minutes devoted to education. . .? will this be the longest sotu ever? Anyone know the time he will have to beat?
Posted by: Sandy Daze | January 25, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Illegal aliens=living in shadows. I feel like I'm in the cave.
Posted by: RichatUF | January 25, 2011 at 09:37 PM
He really has lost his mojo. But I'm not happy that the dems seem to be dragging the repubs to their feet.
We've slipped Bambi because you are incompetent.
Posted by: Jane | January 25, 2011 at 09:38 PM
If you are mad as hell and aren't gonna take it anymore, grab your rifle and head outside. If you're the only one with a rifle screaming like a maniac, go back inside. It isn't time yet.
A friend left that on facebook.
They are going to regret this unity thingy. No one wants to jump up and shout because they don't want to be the only one standing and shouting. This may go faster than expected.
Posted by: Sue | January 25, 2011 at 09:38 PM
My God. We suck.
Posted by: MayBee | January 25, 2011 at 09:38 PM
It would be even worse to see it before O says it.
It would be 10 pounds of awesome in a 5 pound bag if he started mouthing the words as they showed up on the screen.
with Liv Tyler
Loved her frolicking with Alicia Silverstone in those Aerosmith videos, but I could never forgive her outsized role in LOTR.
Hey, it's Robert Pastorelli! I was about to remark that he had a pretty good run in the 90s but hadn't seen much since, when I checked Wikipedia to discover he died of a heroin overdose in 2004.
Which makes his current scene, where he fakes a seizure to let Arnold sneak into the building, really creepy.
Posted by: bgates | January 25, 2011 at 09:39 PM
We have a "D" on infrastructure. Curiously we have about 2/3 of all the paved roads, airports, and rail lines in the world. High speed rail (hope they run better than AmTrak).
Posted by: RichatUF | January 25, 2011 at 09:40 PM
weren't all of those "shovel ready" projects supposed to be infrastructure repair?
Kerry and McCain sitting together. . .
Posted by: Sandy Daze | January 25, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 25, 2011 at 09:40 PM
richuf,
Only because all the white meat guys could afford Hume Hall:)
Posted by: Jack is Back! | January 25, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Grassley struggling to maintain consciousness, looks like.
Posted by: PD | January 25, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Hey guys, glad that I missed this crap sandwich up 'til now. I got Tammy Bruce on the radio and she is ON FIRE!!!
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 25, 2011 at 09:41 PM
He's listing IT stuff we can already do so that he can take credit for them.
Posted by: Strawman Cometh | January 25, 2011 at 09:41 PM
If this is our Sputnik moment, does that mean the hulahoop will be making a comeback? How 'bout cheap Japanese transistor radios?
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 25, 2011 at 09:41 PM
I thought I just heard a D/ talk about lowering the corporate tax rate. I must have had a stroke.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 25, 2011 at 09:42 PM
Fuck McCsin; I esnt to post that at least once a day
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 25, 2011 at 09:42 PM