“Because you cannot charge up those stairs into darkness and danger unless you know that there’s someone behind you, watching your back” – President Barack Obama
I am a total sucker for pomp and circumstance. I love the revelry and enjoy moments of tradition however small. So it is less than surprising that the State of the Union is one my favorite nights of the year. No matter who the President is I still watch with rapt attention not just to watch the address but to watch the reaction of the 535 members of congress in the audience. It’s crazy, I know, to not be among the over 90% of Americans with an unfavorable view of congress right now. That isn’t to say that I think they’re perfect and doing everything right but there’s still that soft spot that has been there since I was 12. The one that cannot help but love congress. So there’s my confession for the day: Congress can be awful but if you find the good ones then you can be swayed.
As I’ve gotten older I realize that I pay more and better attention to the actual address, both the written words and the delivery as I gauge how all of what is said will translate to actual legislation. While I still like congress I am not naive enough to think that bills will be sent to the White House and bipartisan compromises will be made and John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi will hold hands as the ride into the sunset. I am also aware that this is an election year and can I say one thing about that? To all of those angry that the President of the United States is giving a speech that might have notes of what he would like to accomplish into the next year. Can I just say – and pardon my language – NO SHIT. He’s the President and he’s allowed to give speeches and yes some of it might be pandering but I have never read or watched a State of the Union address that wasn’t essentially a campaign speech. For as President of the United States you get to be the Campaigner in Chief. That’s just how it works.
Moving onto the speech itself: It was spectacular. Some might scream BIAS! as I have been less than secretive as to who I will be voting for in November but I can still step back enough and allow for critical thinking. That said it was an address that wasn’t just meaningful in the words that he said but how he said them. He was forceful. He pushed at congress and yes, he scolded. But can you say that they don’t deserve it? He acknowledged the giant rift between both sides of the aisle right now and that for us to move forward as a country we – or, they, the House and the Senate – need to get over their differences and keep it moving. As I tweeted yesterday it was very much “Lead. Follow. Or get out the way”. And that is how I like my President. Presidential. Leading. Keeping us moving despite 535 roadblocks who are more interested in fighting with each other than fighting for the American people.
Despite my congress love I can still be disappointed. I watch C-SPAN and the pointing of fingers and referring to “My friend, the distinguished gentleman from X…” before giving a profound speech that amounts to a giant middle finger. I watch as members speak over each other, heckle and boo and I am dismayed. I’m bothered and saddened that this is the state of our union. As the President mentioned last night we did not receive a credit downgrade because of our finances but because congress was more interested in arguing with each other to the point that they would allow us to default on our loans. The House and Senate have argued us into oblivion and while it’s funny in an “Oh my God, there they go again *rolls eyes*” way it is also disturbing and treacherous. The word ‘compromise’ is not part of their vernacular. But ‘pissing match’ is (well, that’s two words but you get what I’m saying) and right now I don’t know what it will take or how low this country has to go before we are back on solid ground with representatives who care about those they represent as much as they care about their own politics, ambitions and proving the person across the aisle wrong.
I will address the finer points and policy over the next few days – particularly his quest to end asinine policy of ‘teaching to the test’ but I did want to give a few thoughts and hear what you all liked or didn’t like about the speech. Have at it.
Watch: The full State of the Union address
Watch: Mitch Daniels deliver the Republican response
Build Your Perfect President
I ask because I have a little secret for you: There is no perfect candidate. There is no perfect President.
You won’t find him (hopefully one day *her*) in this election or the next. To think that there should be a President with whom you can agree on every topic is not only naive but it also goes against the basic tenets of democracy. There should always be something the leadership is doing that pisses you off, gets you fired up, and makes you want to voice the need for one change or another. I’d much prefer to say that though I choose Barack Obama as my candidate for 2012 that there are things about his policies with which I disagree. Hell, there have been moments of anger but it is my belief that having any of the Republican contenders in office would be detrimental to the country and our relationships around the world.
I keep running into angry conservatives because of the choices they have been given during this primary. It seems that there is nothing that pleases them: Mitt Romney is a RINO and don’t forget about “RomneyCare”. Sure Santorum is a social conservative but the former Senator is also a “big Government” conservative and there is nothing they dislike more than the already bloated bureaucracy. And one cannot be a “real” conservative if they aren’t willing to board the “let’s get rid of the Department of Education” bandwagon. Despite Santorum’s wins in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri on Tuesday evening, many are left to wonder whether or not he has the infrastructure to campaign seriously all the way to the convention in August. Newt Gingrich is fun to think about but this is a serious Presidential race, correct? With Paul we are privy to the thought that Civil Rights is a ‘mistake’ and severely isolationist foreign policy. While he could play to the ultra-right his ability to be elected leaves much to be desired. He’s like your crazy uncle who gets invited to Thanksgiving: you nod and smile but you run away as quickly as possible. Huntsman worked for Obama, Tim Pawlenty couldn’t handle it and Perry turned out to be a dud. I picture Conservatives walking around aimlessly until the contest arrives to their state then just closing their eyes and placing a finger on someone…anyone. I wonder what it is that Republicans are looking for and who would be their idea of a good, quality candidate.
Then there is the President. When the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed, there was a thrill in the air. He did what he could to keep people working and the same goes for the Education Jobs Fund. Then came the events in Wisconsin and Ohio last spring where his leadership left much to be desired when it came to the union workers who helped to get him to the White House in the first place. That said having a ‘Right to Work’ proponent in office would send me screaming for the hills. I’ve often wish that he could be stronger and take a harder line on issues instead of just sitting on the sidelines. Taking issue with his leadership came up again during the work of the SuperCommittee. I know that it was technically congress’ responsibility but a little nudge to work harder and better would have been far more helpful than a pissing match with Eric Cantor and John Boehner. But he reformed Health Care, he has made great strides in education even though when I do a deep dive into his policies I question why grant writing takes precedent over educating. My point is that this President isn’t perfect and I never expected for him to be. He was voted to bring hope and change. Not hope, change and being infallible.
It’s not just the angry Conservatives but the annoyed Progressives that cause me to scratch my head. For the latter I wonder what exactly they were expecting? For Barack Obama to enter the West Wing, snap his fingers and suddenly everyone has free healthcare and a job? Did we not expect change to take years and realize that it was the hope that it can one day happen? It is to both Tea Partiers and Liberals, Republicans and Democrats that ask: What do you want in a President? Is there a ‘perfect’ choice?