Tuesday, unlike most people, I spent some five hours watching the state of the Union by President Bush, the democratic response by Senator Webb of the commonwealth of Virginia, and countless hours of the Analysis on CNN, Fox, and NBC. After watching all everyone else and their mom share their thoughts on speech, I thought I would go ahead and share some of my own.
I felt that the speech was very well written. Of all Bush's televised speeches, I think this one was the best. The words were chosen carefully, and the paragraphs constructed is such a way to simultaneous praise (sometimes forcefully) from both democrats and President. The words were less decisive, less forceful and less macho. Although the wording of the speech was fantastic, the delivery was less than memorable. At a time where the president needed to inspire to nation to rally behind him, he barely managed to keep members of house and senate awake for the 50 minutes. He sound flat, tired, disconnected, and irresolute.
The content of the speech was not of made of up anything great either. Social security, Health Care, Energy dependence, immigration and etc...These are all great issues and things that we as a country should be working on. But I don't see it coming from this president. After claiming last year that "America is addicted to oil", he then spent the next 11 months doing nothing about it. He made a attempt to do something about social security, but failed to sell that plan to the American public. Although I agree with most of his plan with immigration, he was unable to strike deals with member of his own party. So Basically I don't believe he will do anything. Not because he doesn't want to, but because most of the time will be spend defending his policy abroad. I think he will try to get to ball rolling on some of these, because like every president he is conscious of his legacy. And although 9.11.01 and the Iraq war will largely define his presidency I don't believe he wants to be it.
I was impressed that the president mentioned Africa, Darfur in particular and fighting the AIDS epidemic that is affecting the entire continent. I hope he can back those words with some actions and not tie the donation dollars to religious organizations and or Abstinence programs. As impressed as I was that the president mention Africa, I was shocked beyond belief that he failed to mention the gulf states that were devastated by Katrina and are still recovering. If nothing else, i believe that the he should have taken ownership of everything that went wrong with FEMA and pledge continued support from the Federal government.
Overall, well written speech, average delivery, but too big of a wish list that will barely be touched.
When I heard that senator Webb tore up the speech written for him by the Democratic Party to write his own, I was shocked. I certainly thought he was going to make a fool of himself on TV. I had not been impressed by any of the speeches he had given during his campaign against Allen. But I was pleasantly surprised by his speech. His speech was short, passionate, personal, and straight to the point. Office title aside, He commanded more attention and respect than the president. He refuted what the president while at the same leaving room for negotiations and laying out the issues the democrats are ready to get ball rolling on. I look forward to see what he does in the senate this year. He is def getting drafted on my fantasy congress team.
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