“Watch what we do, not what we say.”

[Cyrano]

Those words were uttered by Richard Nixon’s first Attorney General, John Mitchell. Anyone who did watch saw the Vietnam War expand into Cambodia, and saw an incredible number of high crimes and misdemeanors come to be described by the single word, “Watergate.”

I didn't listen to last nights speech. I really don’t care what President Obama says anymore. I care about what he does.

So before judging his first year in office too harshly, (given the Republicans and the Blue Dog Democrats he’s had to deal with), I’ll wait to see what he does.

He has disappointed many during his first year. Let’s hope his second is better. I hear he used the word “fight.” Wouldn’t that be a refreshing change. Perhaps sometime next year I’ll read this year’s SOTU speech and compare what President Obama said, to what he actually did.

[JohnnyLib2]

1. It's worth a read, IMO.

From one perspective, there is a hell of a lot of rebuilding of the presidency itself, post-Bush. I thought Obama was firming up his position as the executive, and one who is pushing some edges in the power structure in Washington. It would be fascinating to hear what the response is in his next few meetings with legislative leaders.

[Cyrano]

2. Perhaps you're right. And perhaps I am being a bit too rigid.

I suppose it's a result of having listened to him for a year.

His elegance and use of the language is inspiring. His accomplishments leave much to be desired.

Perhaps, it was that I could just do without the unending stream of pundits (before and after) who told us what we were going to hear, and then told us what we heard.