Obama knew that many people who voted for him in 2008 did so based on his commitment to end the war in Iraq, so highlighting that made perfect sense. But he was way wrong in claiming that the war in Iraq has made the United States “more respected around the world.”
In the SOTU, President Obama missed out on the opportunity to advocate for a progressive vision of the United States and to take on a real leadership role.
Obama’s second State of the Union address sandwiched crummy policies between slices of inspiration.
The freeze on the funding of discretionary domestic programs would choke off vital assistance to a shrinking middle class and growing numbers of poor and low-income families.
The sound of the president’s silence on climate change and the BP oil disaster was deafening.
During the campaign Obama said his favorite TV show was The Wire. He “gets” injustice, but he missed his chance to demonstrate leadership tonight.
The Iraq War isn’t wrapping up, the Afghanistan War is failing, and we can’t afford either one. If we are ever going to find 15 million jobs, we need to end the wars and cut military spending.
Some of this revenue should be used for long overdue investments in education, health care, and energy retrofits.
Here’s a glimpse into what the president is thinking while he’s delivering the State of the Union address.
The president devoted only 10 percent of his speech to foreign policy.
Respecting human dignity is a principle no government can ignore, and one that needs to be applied when sending aid to the earthquake-ravaged nation.
An emphasis on non-military engagement can’t hide the fact that Obama is spending more on defense than Bush.
The president needs a new blockbuster.
The Iraq War has become the face of the United States around the world and this will haunt Bush during his State of the Union address.
Bush’s proposal on oil doesn’t go far enough.