"WHY IT WORKED"~ Steve Benen~

[Cha]

WHY IT WORKED.... I've been trying to put my finger on why I liked President Obama's State of the Union address so much. The content and delivery were strong, but that's to be expected. I think my very positive reaction has to do with the larger context and the pre-speech expectations.

Given the public's palpable frustrations and the struggles the nation endured in 2009, there was a sense that the president would have to be vaguely apologetic during the address. He'd have to explain himself, acknowledge mistakes, and lay a new course for the year ahead. The pundits' use of words like "reboot" and "scaled back" were ubiquitous going into the speech.

The president, though, decided not to follow the conventional script. When he was supposed to be meek, he showed confidence. When expected to be contrite, Obama seemed proud. When Republicans sought deference, the president responded with strength. Indeed, while the GOP believes electoral winds are at their backs, Obama didn't mind teasing, confronting, challenging, and even mocking them in a good-natured way.

The fear that the president might shrink from the moment was backwards -- Obama stepped up and seemed larger than ever.

There was an inherent challenge that falls on any president leading during hard times: conveying to the public that policies are working, and that things are getting/will get better, without appearing ignorant of their pain. I thought Obama threaded the needle extremely well -- highlighting not just the economic hardships, but the "deficit of trust" and the pettiness that contributes to American cynicism.

<snip>

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

Good advice. The underlying message of the night was that the president needs Democrats to follow his lead. Given the strength of the speech, it was an appeal that seems likely to work.

"But perhaps the part of the speech that resonated most with me was the president's call to aim high."

<snip>

"Those of us in public office can respond to this reality by playing it safe and avoid telling hard truths and pointing fingers. We can do what's necessary to keep our poll numbers high, and get through the next election instead of doing what's best for the next generation."

<Scroll down for much more>
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[gratefultobelib]

1. I wish I had confidence in Congress to actually do what's best.

[Cha]

2. It is what it is but President Obama is not quitting

on trying to get them to do their best.

There's too many who are into their lower calling.

[quiet.american]

3. Had just finished reading this -- liking his blog more and more.

Love Benen's unapologetic and solid support of Obama.

[Cha]

4. We're birds of a feather on this~

He's my go to guy..started reading him from babylonsister's links in GDP and not knowing who it was but always connecting and then I started to recognize his work and comment on it.

He actually replied to one of my posts(saying how much I liked his work) and gave me a link to the blog.:)

Yeah, he supports him and also says what he doesn't care for..plus he's got an awesome sense of humor.

[quiet.american]

5. Loved his take on Giuliani -- factually concise & nailed the idiot. nt

[Cha]

6. Yes! And, the new

bit up on the republicons going to Hawai'i for their convention..hehe.

So now it's not a foreign place anymore? Fine by me..gives Hawai'i much needed money for their economy.

"THE POLITICS OF THE ALOHA STATE.... The Republican National Committee, for the first time, is holding a winter meeting at a sunny resort in Waikiki, Hawaii. RNC Chairman Michael Steele personally selected the locale.

I don't much care, but the political implications have become rather amusing.

The choice of venue is, not surprisingly, drawing a little bit of ribbing from Democrats, groaning from some Republicans (it is a very long 4,000 miles from, say, Washington D.C), and reminders of the political significance of this state, in the form of the "Obama's Oahu" maps on sale that provide a guide to all things Obama on this island, where the president grew up.

Mr. Steele, in an interview, leapt to defend the decision the moment the question was raised.

"It's been disappointing to me to hear people treat the 50th state of the Union as if it was some foreign land," he said, as he sat in the lounge of the Rainbow Tower, the smell of pineapple in the air and the breaking surf at his back.


ght. Who would make such a silly claim about Hawaii being "foreign"? Well, Republican campaign strategists, for one.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) also wasn't thrilled with Steele's chosen destination: "o I want voters to think that Republicans do nothing but go to beach resorts in January? No."

—Steve Benen 1:15 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (2)
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

:rofl:

[quiet.american]

7. OMG, Cha, I didn't see that. The GOP loves to be perverse w/this kind of stuff.

Where did they have the nerve to hold their first convention after 9/11 - NY.

Where are all these "fiscal conservatives" now going for a winter retreat -- Hawaii.

Can't make this stuff up.

[TicketyBoo]

8. I wonder if

they're going to storm the Bureau of Vital Statistics to get their hands on THE birth certificate?

[quiet.american]

9. Now that you mention it -- Palin went there. Limbaugh went there - now a total invasion of them.

Calling on the rank-and-file to storm the BVS? You may be right! ;)

[Cha]

10. That's GOT to be IT!

The real Losers have nothing so they call themselves birthers and hope someone will notice how serious they are:silly:

[grantcart]

11. I had the same feeling that somehow he looked "larger" than ever before

And the Republicans never looked smaller.