The congressional podium is not a campaign stump. But don’t expect President Barack Obama to appreciate that distinction at Tuesday’s State of the Union Address. He rarely does.
The Obama White House and the Obama campaign have become almost indistinguishable. One crafts political slogans, makes empty promises and viciously attacks its opponents. The other is the campaign.
As usual, Tuesday’s speech will be a campaign speech. It will be well-delivered, long on rhetoric — and short on specifics. While the catchphrases may be new, one thing remains the same: It will be politically self-serving.
As usual, Obama will also make promises he won’t keep. “Winning the future,” was 2011’s State of the Union slogan. After a year of record debt, a credit downgrade, high unemployment and political gridlock, we’ve certainly lost much more than we’ve won.
“Winning the election” will likely be this year’s unspoken theme. The president will present his case for a second term, even as the country suffers the consequences of his first. Yet a president’s record, not his words, should be what justifies reelection.
Obama’s record is one of failure—failure to restore the economy, to create jobs, to unite the country. It’s evident on the campaign trail. He’s making the election about fear and division: us versus them, rich versus poor, Republican versus Democrat. That’s the reelection strategy of a failed incumbent president.
There is indeed division in this country — but not the sort the president seeks to create. The real disconnect is between the president and the voters. It’s a disconnect between a president trying to save his job and a people desperately needing jobs of their own.
That disconnect was on full display last week. Washington had an opportunity to create thousands of jobs and a secure, affordable energy source. But Obama had an opportunity to please his political base. So he axed the Keystone pipeline project—and all the jobs that went with it.
The Keystone project made sense for America. The pipeline from Canada would have been a safe and reliable source of oil for the United States. With gas prices rising and Middle Eastern oil exporters growing hostile, it was, in the words of Canada’s prime minister, “a no-brainer.”
Labor unions supported Keystone. Small business supported Keystone. Republicans and Democrats praised the project. After Obama’s hapless decision, nearly every major newspaper in the country excoriated him for not siding with the American people.
The president has a pattern: It’s always his political self-interest before the nation’s best interest. With his massive stimulus, he doled out taxpayer money to his political allies. In 2009, his administration loaned $535 million to the solar energy company Solyndra. The stimulus failed — Solyndra went bankrupt.
The president said no to Keystone, a chance to create jobs without spending government money. But he said yes to Solyndra, a chance to spend government money while destroying jobs. These are, of course, just two examples of failure, but they illustrate his priorities: He says yes to good politics, no to good policy.
Tuesday, though, the president will pretend otherwise. He will declare himself the hope of the country. He will attempt to make himself seem indispensable because, in this weak economy, he knows Americans are inclined to dispense with him at their first chance.
After three years, we see through the façade. We’ve heard it all before. And the disconnect between rhetoric and reality, between president and people, has left America in a state of disunion.
In their annual addresses, presidents traditionally declare, “the state of our union is strong.” Obama will likely say the same. But at the start of 2012, one wonders. Our people are strong, but we’re hurting. We are tough and determined, but growing weary.
While millions remain unemployed, millions more have given up looking for work. Americans are an optimistic people, but when the president makes difficult circumstances worse, it’s unimaginably dispiriting.
Perhaps for the first time in history, the weakness of America’s president is threatening the strength of our people. When the strength of our people is threatened, the state of our union is too.
Americans demand a president who can come to Congress with a plan and purpose. Obama arrives with a speech and a slogan.
It’s a state of disunion.
The Obama White House and the Obama campaign have become almost indistinguishable. One crafts political slogans, makes empty promises and viciously attacks its opponents. The other is the campaign.
As usual, Tuesday’s speech will be a campaign speech. It will be well-delivered, long on rhetoric — and short on specifics. While the catchphrases may be new, one thing remains the same: It will be politically self-serving.
As usual, Obama will also make promises he won’t keep. “Winning the future,” was 2011’s State of the Union slogan. After a year of record debt, a credit downgrade, high unemployment and political gridlock, we’ve certainly lost much more than we’ve won.
“Winning the election” will likely be this year’s unspoken theme. The president will present his case for a second term, even as the country suffers the consequences of his first. Yet a president’s record, not his words, should be what justifies reelection.
Obama’s record is one of failure—failure to restore the economy, to create jobs, to unite the country. It’s evident on the campaign trail. He’s making the election about fear and division: us versus them, rich versus poor, Republican versus Democrat. That’s the reelection strategy of a failed incumbent president.
There is indeed division in this country — but not the sort the president seeks to create. The real disconnect is between the president and the voters. It’s a disconnect between a president trying to save his job and a people desperately needing jobs of their own.
That disconnect was on full display last week. Washington had an opportunity to create thousands of jobs and a secure, affordable energy source. But Obama had an opportunity to please his political base. So he axed the Keystone pipeline project—and all the jobs that went with it.
The Keystone project made sense for America. The pipeline from Canada would have been a safe and reliable source of oil for the United States. With gas prices rising and Middle Eastern oil exporters growing hostile, it was, in the words of Canada’s prime minister, “a no-brainer.”
Labor unions supported Keystone. Small business supported Keystone. Republicans and Democrats praised the project. After Obama’s hapless decision, nearly every major newspaper in the country excoriated him for not siding with the American people.
The president has a pattern: It’s always his political self-interest before the nation’s best interest. With his massive stimulus, he doled out taxpayer money to his political allies. In 2009, his administration loaned $535 million to the solar energy company Solyndra. The stimulus failed — Solyndra went bankrupt.
The president said no to Keystone, a chance to create jobs without spending government money. But he said yes to Solyndra, a chance to spend government money while destroying jobs. These are, of course, just two examples of failure, but they illustrate his priorities: He says yes to good politics, no to good policy.
Tuesday, though, the president will pretend otherwise. He will declare himself the hope of the country. He will attempt to make himself seem indispensable because, in this weak economy, he knows Americans are inclined to dispense with him at their first chance.
After three years, we see through the façade. We’ve heard it all before. And the disconnect between rhetoric and reality, between president and people, has left America in a state of disunion.
In their annual addresses, presidents traditionally declare, “the state of our union is strong.” Obama will likely say the same. But at the start of 2012, one wonders. Our people are strong, but we’re hurting. We are tough and determined, but growing weary.
While millions remain unemployed, millions more have given up looking for work. Americans are an optimistic people, but when the president makes difficult circumstances worse, it’s unimaginably dispiriting.
Perhaps for the first time in history, the weakness of America’s president is threatening the strength of our people. When the strength of our people is threatened, the state of our union is too.
Americans demand a president who can come to Congress with a plan and purpose. Obama arrives with a speech and a slogan.
It’s a state of disunion.
30 comments:
While many people were displeased with Obama's decisions, the article is obviously biased against him. But if the article is indeed correct then there is much to be seen on how Obama will manage to get the peoples favor back. Obama is the incumbent and has the advantage with the SOTU and has already established himself. So if his promises hold up he will have a chance to win the vote again
The problem that is evident after the Keystone project being denied is how Barack Obama seeks to make his mark by "creating jobs". So when the keystone project showed up and wasn't reciving a generous bonus from the government to create the jobs. The current lack of jobs isn't from being unable to make them, its from the Obama administration wanting all the jobs being created to be as a resulf from the administration. Without allowing projects like Keystone to go through, the job market will never see a steady rise.
I think this opinion article was pretty harsh criticism against President Obama. Then again, it is an opinion and it is by the chairman of the RNC. Either way, there are a few positive things from the Obama administration, so it's not fair to say that he's a failed president. Times are tough and that makes the general public more cynical.
Anyway, when someone gets to speak to some of the most powerful people in the nation, he will not only speak about his policies, but he will also make sure the people present know the good he's done. Watching the SOTU, we saw that Obama took a long time shaking hands and meeting with the members of Congress -- yes, that is a campaign tactic. But, is he to blame? We do have an election this November and he is running for reelection, obviously he'd try to get on people's good side. He did discuss the state of the Union and he hinted that if he was reelected, he would have the solutions. He used the circumstances to his advantage, and I'm sure that anyone in Obama's position would do the same, Republican or Democrat.
I don't believe that Obama will do anything again for this country they talk about all these bills that he is going to sign but he never follows through with any of his plans. I hope that he will follow through with his plans for 2012, because the american people need a leader!
Obama's promises for "CHANGE" are just a cover up for his true decisions. He wants us to believe that he is working with not only the democrats but with the REPUBLICANS to come up with mutual decisions. He is honestly just looking out for himself and his view points. His leadership skills will not change to benefit the lower classes.
Obviously this was going to be a campaign speech. I mean, why would he miss the opportunity? However, I feel that this is all it was. He keeps saying he wants to do something, but why just state it when you can try and do it. When Obama was running for president he was all about change. Sure he did change things, but he changed them for himself and not for the people. How about caring about us, the American people, rather than about good politics. Where would he be without us? We are, in fact, "in a state of disunion".
I think it is safe to say that Obama cannot be held accountable for the debt existing before his presidency. Also, it is bias to make an article completely based on Obama's downfalls. Sense his presidency; he has enacted the largest reform of student aid in 40 years. He has also extended Pell Grants for low income students. He has initiated the most profound changes to health care in 50 years. Not to mention, that he helped our military track down and kill Osama. He is also trying to realign the tax system to be fair, which would help reduce the debt.
I liked his comment on insider trading. "Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress, I will sign it tomorrow." Good idea, impossible to execute. No Congressman will ever sign away his investments, and at best they'll just do what they always do to issues they don't want to face - make it come into effect a decade from now.
All presidents running for reelection use the SOTU as a campaign speech. To not do so would be unintelligent, for everyone is watching, and he has hours to present himself to every person in government, and almost everyone in America. Obama made some clear points that would work to come together, but many people dislike the speech as they did not want to hear what he was saying in the first place. Much of this boils down to what each individual wants to hear, and each person tends to hear just that.
I honestly cant wait for Obama to run for a second term. Im sorry but you know what,hes human of course with a big title but you know what i mean. Every president's going to have flaws. We are all going to have our likes and dislikes about what they do,what they should do,what there not doing..etc. so it doesnt suprise me that this article said nothig but negative things. It didnt fail to mention him giving money to a company that went bankrupt,but it sure did fail to mention how he has sent our troops home! :) so while reading this did make me a little upset,thats just things go,somebodys always going to be there to bring you down and forget all the good you have done. By the way,i loved watchig the SOTU in class mr.perry! :D GO OBAMA!!!
In his SOTU address, Obama made it seem like we just need to work together to fix all our problems. He did make a lot of promises. It sounded like he was gonna sign every bill that hit his desk the next day. If he was really trying to work together with the American people, he should have went through with the pipeline project. He talked about the deficit problem, yet he didn't help much by wasting money on a company that went bankrupt. I think his address did sound like a campaign speech. He only really talked to create applause, leaving other problems aside.
I think Obama just wants a second chance. In the speech he said that he was going to make a change and make our nation stronger. During his terms as president he made little change and make our nation weaker. I don't know whether it is a good idea for Obama to serve his second terms. If he does get reelected, I hope he does most of the thing he said in his speech. The things that he said in his speech was to help himself get reelected. We do not know if he is going to keep his promises. In my opinion, I think he should not get reelected because he did little change during his term as president.
I think Obama just wants a second chance. In the speech he said that he was going to make a change and make our nation stronger. During his terms as president he made little change and make our nation weaker. I don't know whether it is a good idea for Obama to serve his second terms. If he does get reelected, I hope he does most of the thing he said in his speech. The things that he said in his speech was to help himself get reelected. We do not know if he is going to keep his promises. In my opinion, I think he should not get reelected because he did little change during his term as president.
First off, I don't think you can blame Obama for all of the mess that the economy is in. Sure, there were massive downs during his presidency, but there were large ups as well; that's how every presidency is. He also didn't really come into office with an easy situation to handle either, but that's just speculation.
In regards to him coming out and saying "The State of the Union is great.. etc", are we really surprised? Who in their right mind would come out and say "Yeah, I've done nothing, but you should re-elect me anyway because I love being president." Anyone in their right mind would use the SOTU address as a campaign speech; think of how many people are watching.
It is true that President Obama declared in his state of the union speech that "the state of our union is strong." But I agree that his speech was mainly an opportunity to talk about his accomplishments over the past three years and "set the tone" for his re-election campaign. Obama's speech was self-serving. Also, his previous actions and acheivements are stronger than his words. He imposed in his speech that he wants to create jobs when his “universal” health care plan was actually “job-destroying”. In order for his purpose for America to happen, he needs to take the right action and not just talk about it.
I can't help but feel that there was no real address on how the union is doing. He definitely made that speech a campaign one for himself and tried/succeeded on getting his audience fired up. While most people don't exactly agreed with what he has been doing, he is our president and we should probably hear what he has to say. He has been using his role in government to benefit himself but at what cost? He's slowly been dragging us down and I feel as though the American people are not going to tolerate it longer. He may be our president, but he hasn't been acting as though our opionion matters. This speech was talking about what we'll do in the future years, not what's getting done now, so I'd have to say that is was more of a campaign speech with a large audience.
I can't help but feel that there was no real address on how the union is doing. He definitely made that speech a campaign one for himself and tried/succeeded on getting his audience fired up. While most people don't exactly agreed with what he has been doing, he is our president and we should probably hear what he has to say. He has been using his role in government to benefit himself but at what cost? He's slowly been dragging us down and I feel as though the American people are not going to tolerate it longer. He may be our president, but he hasn't been acting as though our opionion matters. This speech was talking about what we'll do in the future years, not what's getting done now, so I'd have to say that is was more of a campaign speech with a large audience.
In my opinion, I am not a fan of Obama. However, I listen to what he has to say. I don't disagree with all of his ideas, but I have seen no positive "change" that he's promised. I found several contradictory statements throughout his SOTU speech. Also, his education plan to "fix" our system is full of flaws and unemployment. I think that he is an excellent speaker with a great drive to help America, I just don't see him following his words through with actions.
This article is clearly biased against Obama. Yes, Obama has made mistakes throughout his presidency, but honestly what president has not? Former president Bush was not a perfect person either, and he sent us into war. Obama's SOTU speech was carefully crafted and he is a charismatic speaker, so does this make his speech a campaign speech? Perhaps, because we are entering 2012, but he does make important suggestions about the actual state of the union. Obama's healthcare reform has positive effects, as it makes everyone have healthcare insurance. One may argue against this, but everyone needs to pitch in and pay for something as vital as healthcare. His presidency these past four years was not all bad. Bush was given a second chance, why not Obama?
I feel like everything that is stated in this article is right on and fair. It states how unsuccessful Obama has been, how he is all talk and no show, and how week America is because of him. Whether you like Obama or not is irrelevant when it comes to the facts. And the fact is, is that he hasn’t done what he planned for this country. As this article states Obama is full of empty promises using broad terms and no details. It’s time for the “change” Obama promised at the beginning of his presidency, and this change needs to happen without him in office for America to have a chance at becoming powerful again.
The apparent "SOTU" was obviously a campaign speech. The President has to have a way to get the people to agree with his views and make them believe that what he is saying holds truth and will actually happen, because he wants to win the election. Everything that is said in politics is propaganda used on Americans to persuade and lure and use against the opposing party. Therefore, what is said can't be taken sincerely due to the fact that what is being said is going to oppose the other in some way...I just think it's all b.s.
Obama's 2012 state of the union address was nothing more than a campaign speech in which he tried to shift the blame for his bad economy and bad policy by using class warfare. This of course is only natural for a socialist president who wants to futher goverment contol. This kind of retoric is exactly the opposite of what this country needs. At a time when Obama should be promoting American ambtion with lower tax rates, cheap energy, and fewer regulations, he is instead trying to pit Americans against each other in order to win the election. I doubt that this tactic will work because ultimatly the American people will look to him for answers as to why they are suffering not Warren Buffet.
SOTU- Obama attempts to strongly persuade voters and glorify his actions (Bin Laden) in his address, constantly repeating the phrase "send me a bill". He's trying to keep true to his promise of change yet the effect is slim to none. He sways public opinion by by making empty promises of passing bills. I say it will all stay the same no matter who will be elected. The SOTU address has not changed anyones mind in the least about Obama.
i hope Obama means everything he says. You can see he is strong and has good intentions on making are economy better but we need actions more then words at this point. I love his new ideas and outlook for our country. i hope the biggest thing he focuses on is our taxes and schooling.
Well obviously who ever wrote this article is a obama hater! He continually points out all the negatives about obama but i didn't realize that being a good politician was bad. Does he not know that Obama took over the country after it was being lead by possibly the worst president we've ever had in George W. Bush? After Bush sent us into war Obama is bringing our troops home. Tis article is completly anti-Obama, and its unfair to completly bash him. How about who ever wrote this article come bash Governor Rick Perry now thats a selfish Republican for you.
I agree that the state of the union is completely in-cohesive because of the conflict within the government. But, I don't agree that the problem is our president. President Obama was very ambitious in his 2008 campaign about "change", but the government system is just in a deadlock. Nothing is changing because no one can agree on passing laws or making bills. I love the idea of all the changes that President Obama presented, though I doubt many will happen.
I think the President Obama's State of The Union address was a little bit of a an actual SOTU, but mainly a long campaign speech. Now, President Obama did address certain areas of how the nation is doing, like the current status of the military and the economy. As per both of these, he did boost up their statuses. Now he did speak fact about the current status of the Taliban and hostile forces in the Middle East, as well as the pulling of troops from the same area. AS for the economy, what President Obama said might be true, he did mostly put himself in the good light, stating all he has done this past year, and his whole presidency. As for the rest of the address, it was nothing more than a campaign speech for the people. The rest, was spent speaking of the reforms he would like to be passed and such. President Obama put his facts and statistics prior to what he wanted to make it seem more of an address, but it wasn't.
I agree with what this article says. The keystone project made complete sense. It created a lot of jobs and was supported by the majority of the people. He went against the opinions of labor unions, small businesses, and both Republicans and Democrats. It would have been a secure source of energy unlike the Middle East, which is a volitale situation that could blow up any second. Obama should think more about the needs of the people instead of his campaign and reelection.
I agree with what this article says. The keystone project made complete sense. It created a lot of jobs and was supported by the majority of the people. He went against the opinions of labor unions, small businesses, and both Republicans and Democrats. It would have been a secure source of energy unlike the Middle East, which is a volitale situation that could blow up any second. Obama should think more about the needs of the people instead of his campaign and reelection.
In my opinion, Obama's speech on Tuesday was a SOTU speech because he spoke to Congress about the plans for now and the laws that can be passed now. It wasn't really a campaign speech to go towards his reelection. He talked about many issues that are happening and what can be done now whereas in the article, the publisher believes that Obama used the speech to campaign for his reelection. It took more than eight years for the economy to be this way, so of course everything is not going to be fixed immediately, but things can be done now to make it a little better until we can see what the future holds.
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