The gaseous and the gloried
Inaugural speeches worthy of emulation
The gaseous and the gloried
Dick Polman, Inquirer National Political Columnist
Update: Tuesday's post will appear some time during the afternoon, following the Inauguration ceremonies.
It’s a daunting prospect for any new president to take the oath of office in a time of crisis, and the pressure to deliver an inaugural address worthy of the historic moment is surely great. But it's plausible that Barack Obama will hurdle this bar – not just because he is rhetorically deft, but because the vast majority of his predecessors were not.
Most inaugural addresses have been riddled with gaseous windbaggery, a lot of verbal thickets about destinies and mountaintops, and thus they were instantly forgettable. Can you recite even a single phrase from Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1965 address? Not a chance. His rhetoric repeatedly crash-landed; at one point, he pleaded with Americans not to view his big-government vision as “the ordered, changeless and sterile battalion of the ants.”
Can you recite anything from Jimmy Carter’s 1977 address? No way. It was quickly flushed from historical memory, I suspect, because so much of it was cringe-worthy. He sounded less like a leader than a lost soul in search of a therapy group: “Your strength can compensate for my weakness, and your wisdom can help to minimize my mistakes. Let us learn together and laugh together…”
How about Calvin Coolidge’s 1925 address? In his case, the writing was just plain bad: “We are not without our problems, but our most important problem is not to secure new advantages, but to maintain those which we already possess.” (He wanted us to continue possessing old problems? Or new advantages to old problems? Or did he intend “advantages” to be a synonym for certain problems that have been solved, and that we should feel good about? Probably the latter. I think.)
In 220 years, only four inaugural speeches – actually, only fragmentary excerpts from those four speeches - have been lodged in the national consciousness as glory-worthy: Lincoln’s second address, in 1865; FDR’s first, in 1933; JFK’s address in 1961 (by itself, the gold standard); and Reagan’s first, in 1981. Obama would excel tomorrow if he borrows key elements from this quartet.
From Lincoln, he can adopt the theme of magnanimity (and, perhaps, brevity). In only 701 words, Lincoln urged an end to the polarization between blue and gray. He said it was time for everyone to set aside the urge to settle old scores and bind up the nation’s wounds “with malice toward none; with charity for all.” Obama has already signaled an abiding interest in moving beyond the contemporary polarization between blue and red.
Like Roosevelt, he can talk straight with the citizenry about the economic crisis (FDR: “Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment”). Obama can also emulate FDR by seeking to calm the public’s jitters, and reboot the ingrained American sense of confidence. (FDR: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts.”)
From Kennedy (“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country…ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man”), Obama can adopt the intertwined themes of sacrifice, civic obligation, and public service. In the weeks and months after 9/11, during that rare bipartisan moment, Americans were basically told to go shopping; virtually nothing else was asked of us. Obama can be expected to refashion the spirit of JFK for the 21st century, and signal that we should all be prepared to sacrifice more for the common good.
And like Reagan, he can use the occasion to spell out his basic governing philosophy – and thereby signal his desired direction for the Democratic party. When Reagan took the oath for the first time in ’81, he articulated his fundamental ethos by declaring that “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem…It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the federal establishment.” Obama’s ideals are obviously different (and, by the way, the federal establishment actually got bigger on Reagan’s watch). The point here is that Reagan provided a philosophical framework for his decision-making; Obama might benefit from defining his own.
Obama can also be expected to plead for patience, to lower the soaring expectations and remind his followers that no miracles are in the offing. Politically, that’s the smart move, and he doesn’t need guidance on that from any of his predecessors. On the other hand, Kennedy did hit the theme in 1961, when he laid out his agenda and cautioned that “this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration…” Reagan did much the same 20 years later, when he listed his goals for taming inflation and joblessness, yet cautioned: “Progress may be slow—measured in inches and feet, not miles…” (And George H. W. Bush warned Americans, in the forgettable address of 1989, not to expect great domestic achievements during his tenure: “Our funds are low…we have more will than wallet.”)
But Obama will stand at the podium tomorrow with two assets untrumped by any predecessor (at least during the polling era). He will obviously request that Americans support his new presidency, yet he already has their support. According to the latest New York Times-CBS poll, released this weekend, 79 percent of Americans feel optimistic about Obama (including 58 percent of those who voted for John McCain) – a record high among the incoming presidents. Obama will also use the speech to plead for patience, yet people are already prepared to be patient. In the Times-CBS poll, 68 percent of Americans said they expect the recession to last two years or longer.
So he has the nation’s indulgence. Now we’ll see how well he frames the historic moment. My guess is that, by the time he finishes tomorrow, we will not be pining for Warren G. Harding, who no doubt quickened pulses in 1921 when he declared that “our supreme task is the resumption of our onward normal way.” This time, something a tad more monumental is obviously required.
Comments (118)
Typical Bill, that is because your view of America can be bought. I, however, do not allow the values that make America great to be tarnished.— Master Dreamz- Um Master, your really way off the mark there buddy. The beacon and our standing in the world has never been better amongst ordinary people all around the world, the only ones in the world that have a problem with Bush are the far left. Just remember Immigration to the United States has jumped to an all time high in the Bush years, more people want to come here than any other place in the world. The problem with you is you unlike Bush would have done nothing after 9/11, you'd just blame it on us and say it is okay that 3,000 of our people got killed in 20 minutes, not me dude. As for torture if one American life was saved by waterboarding only 3 muslim fanatics then all I got to say is thank you President Bush, by the way if you close gitmo, where do you want them prisoners to reside next door to you ? Or would you rather they go back and try and kill more Americans ?— TypicalWhiteBill
- You know what? Bush got what he deserved. And, I hope the shots Obama took at Bush's reign made that bas^%&* squirm. The hatred I have for that man and for Cheney is something I have never felt before for a public official. They tried to destroy this country -- the very fiber of what makes America great -- the belief that we are a beacon to the world. That we could denounce others because we treated ours with respect and fairness. Bush and Cheney threw that out the window. And, I do not see how people cannot see that. I would much rather have a womanizer in office than the two criminals that have had it the last 8 years. And, believe me, if Obama does not right these wrongs immediately (torture, Gitmo to name a couple), then he deserves the same condemnation. I look to Obama to restore America's place as the moral compass of the world. That is what has made America great. That is what got Obama elected. The economy is going to right itself, with time. But each day that goes by with people being denied basic rights that the Constitution affords all people, is a crime against humanity.— Master Dreamz
- SW MIKE: I didn't approve of the booing or the chant, and I didn't approve of McCain's supporters who were encouraged indirectly to chant kill Obama either. I disagree w/ both, not just the Bush ones. And I say it, not imply it or ignore it.— Talvenada
- Talvendad- you have no problem with the chant towards George Bush the the cult of minions screamed today from the mall in Washington?
- TW BILL: Don't forget that fair-and-balanced FOX said that Bush inherited this economy and 9/11!! And Levine said that non-conses are just as big an enemy as terrorists!! Ergo, after Clinton failed to keep us safe and B4 Obama also fails, ONLY Bush and Neo-Con 'Pubs did! ALL facts, no conjecture, right?— Talvenada
- Talvenada- Eh, I never expected Obama to live up to the hype of his speech. But I'm not going to bash Obama for the speech. It was fine. It was a lot to live up to. Talk is cheap though and actions always speak louder than words. Like I said before two things have to happen for Obama to suceed. first we must be safe from a terorist atack. Two, the economy must improve.
- JIM R: Levine was deeply offended by the racism shown to whites, as well. Maybe, like The Neo-Con 'Pubs, we can honor the founders by treating The Constitution the SPECIAL way they do; and return, also, the rights back to the way the founders envisioned and did, no?— Talvenada
- SW MIKE: Levine took exception w/ Obama's speech encouraging people to rise from the dust, which was wrong for the welfare-state reason. Rush pointed out that the stock market drop was proof that he was right about Obama being the problem since SEPTEMBER. MONTHS AGO!! Hannity said everything was bad except the poem, which you say was divisive. Coulter complained about booing Bush, and Hannity did not like the Bush-goodbye song. Hannity didn't like any positive talk about Obama. How can you not say they're being anything but FAIR-AND-BALANCED. Like Levine w/ his we DEMAND to be HEARD after 8 long hours, not 8 minuscule years.— Talvenada
- typicalwhiteb....WOW, what historical perspective! I think you forgot that the 56 white guys wrote a constitution that denied the right of people like Obama to have any rights. That was ammended much later after we said it was wrong for one human to own another human, and that people of color were more than 3/5 ths of a person. It has proven to be a terrific basic document but the only people who had rights were white male landowners.— JimR
- Have too say with all the hoopla surrounding the inauguration of the King and Queen from Chicago, I'm here again to say " he is not my president not today not anyday". Infact his speech today basically summed up the anger he has for this country. If a white preacher had said what Lowry, about the whites doing whats right, was not racist then I'm seeing a double standard here. Rev. Lowry remember one thing it was a white woman who gave birth to your African dream, remember it was the white vote and the white money behind that vote that allowed your dream to be realized. So while your dancing and rejoicing in the streets over the media messiah, just remember who really made this man. By the way did you forget it was 56 white guys who wrote a constitution so that you could these very rights. So from my people too yours, your very welcome.— TypicalWhiteBill
- s-mike, from what I could find(and heard) the market has been to the plus on only two inauguration days in the last 50+ years which indicate that the president doesn't hold as much sway on it all. It has always been ridiculous to hold Bush accountable for all the current trouble. He takes some heat because his philosophies have contributed. But,he's not responsible for people believing that real estate could rise forever. If you want to blame Obama for the lack of progress before he even takes office, you'd better be prepared for the possibilty that he'll get lucky.— JimR
- I have finally figured out what bothers the Republicans about Obama and the media and general public's willingness to see the hope Obama can bring. After 8 years of Clinton, Bush was supposed to bring a superior morality to the White House. He failed. He failed miserably. But they bought into it so soundly, that they are jaded and cannot see or want to see the possibility that it can happen. We can be a beacon of light for the world. A light that has shamefully been flickering and fading since Bush took office. The Republicans dont want to see a Democrat succeed where they have failed so miserably. That is why they are the only ones calling Obama names like "Messiah" or "Obamessiah" or whatever. They need to put down and diminish what others see as better than what they have, or have done.— Master Dreamz
- Phrossty- you asked me if I was bitter. My answer is not really. I would tell you to be careful what you wish for. You will have no one else to blame but the Democratic party if things do not go well. What disgusted me today was the crowds disrespect to President Bush. I would say many democrats were bitter to very end. And I thought the poem after Obama's speech was very divisive.
- Phrossty- If I had a nickel for everytime I heard a politician tell us they would hold the government accountable for the money they spend and the programs they support I would be a millionaire.
- Jim R- I was going to look up what the dow did on Bush's inauguration days. Thanks for the info. I felt what the dow did today was discouraging. My hope was that at least if the left in the media got its way, which it has, since Democrats have contolled Congress for two years and now has Obama in the presidency that consumer sentiment would turn around and the economy would improve. Politics aside I thought by now we would have seen the dow creeping up and unemployment to go down after Obama's election. If not for nothing else but the way the media would frame the day's news.
- s-mike, The Dow was down strongly on both Bush inauguration days.— JimR
- ARK: Is it your assertion that the Air Force, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard work, but the Navy and Army do not??— Phrossty
Comment removed.- Is it true that Bush sat in Cheney's lap during the ceremony? I was listening on the radio.— p-diddy
- As for being "underwhelmed by that speach [sic]..." even the following paragraph ought to have encouraged your hard right heart. «SNIP» What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. «SNIP»— Phrossty
- S-Mike... Bitter? No, I just met her!— Phrossty
- The Dow has dropped more than 300 points and oil has spiked 5% upon the innauguration of Barack Obama. Mostly due to fears of the economic policies his administration will bring. Certainly not change I can believe in. Further dashing hopes of bipartisanship was the rude behavior of the cult of minions gathered at the innauguration chanting " na na na eh eh goodbye " to President Bush. And not to dampen the left enthusiasm but I was underwelmed by that speach and the divisive poem that followed.
- Tom, Bush had years of good grace, helped by the unification of the country around 9/11. That was an event that turns things upside down. It's a similar situation that Obama faces with the magnitude of the financial situation. The irony that I see is that many Bush fans, who have argued strongly and correctly that time alone will determine his place in history (and he won't be the worst) have determined that Obama is already : the worst/most liberal in governing/most socialist -communist/biggest free spender.....etc, before he spent a day in office. The concern for history was gone. When I hear the cry of "I really hope it works" I can feel the lack of sincerity. One post recently said:'he's not my president'.The longing for him to fail is every bit as corrosive to the need for cooperative effort as the flaming Libs who wished for Bush to fail. The eye-for-an-eye thinking is doing nothing but making everyone blind.— JimR
- tom: they did NOT say that revenues go up. They said that GDP goes up. They're not even close to the same thing. Even if you accept the $1 cut in taxes increases GDP by 3$, then the AVERAGE tax rate paid would need to be OVER 33% for it to pay for itself. Even if you buy the Laffer Curve (many don't), there's a point where cutting taxes lowers revenue.— still_independent
- The Inauguration turned out to be a pretty good show. I even liked the two preachers. Since my views on religion are basically those of Voltaire ("Crush the infamous thing!") that's saying something.— liberal
- Those of you who believe that global warming is a hoax, do you also believe that measles vaccines cause autism? The two ideas are exactly parallel. The believers are generally not scientists. They rely on opinions of a few rogue scientific authorities who hold views contrary to the consensus of the scientific community. They believe that those on the other side are part of a ill-intentioned conspiracy. And they are sure that they are right.— liberal
- Obama is president! Goodbye George. You weren't a good president but I wish you well. Glad to have a fair thinking adult in the WH! Good luck to Obama.— James TL
- I agree with JustAnother and would caution anti-CD that the pendulum swings back and forth.— Phrossty
- Finally, we have a President we can be proud of. After 8 years of careless, self-centered "governing", the greatest country in the world has a new leader and a new-found sense of hope. George W Bush is the worst president in the history of the country, but the country has survived. The Republicans have no platform and less power, no relevance to modern America. Neo-Conservatism has caused many of the problems we face, and hopefully will be extinguished by the end of President Obamas 8 years in office.— the anti-CD75
- Folks, America was great before this moment and it will continue to be great after this moment. I read most of the messages on this board - conservative and liberal and all those in between - and am left with the opinion that NO ONE is listening to anything President Obama is saying. Quit looking back; quit seeking to settle old scores; quit name-calling; none of those things solves a problem or adds anything of merit to any on-going debate. Words like "stupid", "worst", "Lackeys" "ilk" signal the furthering of an agenda rather than the furthering of ideas. I hope the President is sincere in his desire to change the culture of politics and move forward in the world. If he does not, we will be in for another 4-8 years of the vitriol you see on this board and others.— Justanothervoice
- ARK: The Walrus was Paul.— Phrossty
- Tom, if I get a raise at work that doesn't keep up with inflation, it will not necessarily help pay my bills.— Phrossty
- liberal....Reagan's belief was that the private sector could better grow the economy than reliance on government intervention. From the Wage and Price Controls of Nixon to the expansion of the money supply under Ford and Carter, government was looked at as the savior of our economy. Reagan was counter to this belief, thus his MO that government was the problem, not the answer to the problem.— tom - wilmington, de
- still, and there is also no paper showing they do not pay for themselves. Simply put, anything that increases revenue pays for itself. How can an increase in revenue not pay for something. That is like saying if you get a raise at work it will not necessarily help pay your bills. Simple solution...don't take the extra deductions given to you in the tax cuts. I am shocked you have not stated you refused the cuts and paid more in taxes so the government would not suffer. Amazing that the cuts do not pay for themselves, but you have no problem accepting them. There is no rule saying you must itemize, or claim your children as dependents, or take that child care credit. Simply file a short form and pay more....end of story. Tax cuts increase GDP, which increases revenue to the government, ergo they pay for themselves. We shall see if Pres Obama's spending and future tax increases bring more money into the Treasury or less. JimR...I was trying to be nice and in the spirit of unity. I am giving Obama as much time as the liberals gave Bush to fix things. I am giving Obama as much time to win in Afghanistan as the left gave Bush to win in Iraq (does Harry Reid still think that war is lost?). And I will hold Obama as accountable for anything that happens on his watch as the liberals held Bush. I am not confident at all in Obama or his policies. I still believe him to be an empty suit who can give a great speech but has never proven he can make a tough decision or govern. I hope he is not as ruinous as I believe for the sake of my kids and grandkids, but I also hope for a Republican Congress in 2010 to turn the clock back and get rid of his global warming (hoax...earth has cooled since 198), restricted health care and tax increases.— tom - wilmington, de
- It's interesting that conservatives today would totally buy Coolidge's 1925 inaugural address, except that they have been converted to the idea of a large standing military. Why is this? And I would also like a conservative to explain to me what was meant by Reagan's slogan "government is the problem." I was a mature, family man and a member of the work force in 1980 and of all my problems, opression from the federal government was of vanishing significance if not nonexistent. There must be some hidden meaning in that slogan but it escapes me. In the meantime, it has bought us 30 years of largely incompetent federal government, providing us with wrecked infrastructure, stagnating wages, and a cancerous militarism in our foreign policy, even after the death of our enemy communism.— liberal
- James TL stop spending unwisely and you too can be rich. Funny people blame the rich for them not being it, but save and invest in promoting yourself and can achieve wealth.— Fisher
- tom: no, they don't. It's simple math. Even the authors of this paper don't assert that. For what must literally be the twentieth time, show me one single non-Repub study that shows marginal income tax rate cuts paying for themselves. You can't, because none exist.— still_independent
- Tom, you show a shocking lack of personal confidence. If all of your hopes come about, there will be no need for a change in congress to fix anything.— JimR
- FINALLY!!! Today brings to the end, America's worst error: The Bush Years. Glory and Honor of the US are immediately restored at 11:30 AM!— rallyrally
- Tom, as to world standing there had to be a reason Bush 43 could not get a coalition together for Iraq II with the exception or Great Britian. I wonder why invading Iraq wasn't in any others countries interest ??? And as far as torture goes - it has not been proven that its an either torture or Americans die proposition.— ModerateMarge
- Good luck to Pres Obama. I hope he is treated more fairly than his predecessor. I hope he learns it takes sometimes extraordinary steps to protect this nation. I hope he finds the will to make the difficult decisions that await him regardless of the polls or other nations believe to be the right call. I hope his promises bring about the change needed without destroying the fabric of the nation (mneaning we become France). And I hope he is judged by the same standards as his predecessor, meaning whatever happens on his watch is either to his credit or is his to take the blame. And I pray for a Republican Congress in 2010 to fix whatever has gone wrong over the next two years.— tom - wilmington, de
- Marge, I for one am very upset at our world standing. I would rather have had thousands more dead Americans than see our world standing diminished, as I am sure you would agree. I cannot wait for Obama to bring back our moral authority and world standing, and if we happen to get attacked again in the meantime, well so what. At least other nations will look on America as a nice place. Still_independent, tax cuts do pay for themselves with their increased GDP and revenue, but without correlating spending constraints they are useless. Clinton and the Republican Congress proved that in the late 1990's, right?— tom - wilmington, de
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- ARK: I cap the name of all those I address, regardless of party affiliation. 10 years was the Saddam benchmark to attack America from 2003 to equal 2013.— Talvenada
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- ARK: No wonder you like W! He thought Saddam would attack in 2013, and you though they would not post you because they were bored. ..........Which makes me a liar, like Obama. Now, it makes me, like Obama making things up. I'm glad I was older than 8 years old, like Obama, when Ayers was a terrorist.— Talvenada
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- Not that I'm not happy with the incoming President, but the media is really fawning over Obama. Like they want to have sex with him, or something. (LOL!!!)— ANGRY AL
- ARK: I lie, Obama lies? W? The Conse mantra: are you calling The President a liar? As in there is NO WAY!— Talvenada
- ARK: Posted by ark 01:04 AM, 01/19/2009 tal they refuse to post me I guess I can't blame them, It's Geaorge Bushes fault. see ya ......................... BTW, when they refuse to post, it's called being censored.— Talvenada
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- And ARK can claim he's being censored at 1 AM, and Poleman won't say word one.— Talvenada
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- GEOFF: Yeah, he doesn't have the strategery of that misunderestimater master of enunciation: our beloved leader W !! ............. GO 'PUBS! GO 'PUBS! LET'S GO 'PUBS!! 63 0f 65 CAREER lawyers in Justice are NEO-CON 'PUBS that Holder cannot dismiss legally, nor can Obama! GO 'PUBS!!!— Talvenada
- It doesn't matter what the 0bamassiah utters - the Democrat-Media Complex 0bama lapdogs such as Polman will fawn over it regardless. All objectivity in the news media went out the window months ago. 0bama's candidacy combined with their hatred for Bush means the news media is nothing more than a Democrat advocacy group.— Ghost of 0bamaRemorse
- CD75: The sheep-talking bloviator? Isn't everybody who's for Obama a sheep, no? Yet, 20 million Ditto Heads who listen to fair-and-balanced Rush Limbaugh are TOLD by him they don't have to think, because he'll TELL them what to think. Yet, the sheep are the ones who aren't Ditto Heads.— Talvenada
- Obama says nothing better than anyone. I've never seen someone who can use so many cliches and be considered profound. But who cares? Isn't he just dreamy?— geoffrobinson
- Over $100 million is being spent on the coronation while people are out of work and hurting. What is wrong with this picture?— CD75
- Talk is cheap and it is what Obama is good at.— CD75
- SW MIKE: Not to confuse you w/ my last post, but to clarify that post. The plan was to admit to torture to create a free-them-all situation, forcing Obama to keep Gitmo open. BUSH WINS AGAIN!!!— Talvenada
- SW Mike - I saw your comment about giving Obama some time to fix the multitude of problems Bush 43 is leaving him. I totally agree ! I will give him until Jan 20 2017 to fix the problems before I complain !— ModerateMarge
- Does anyone doubt the torture the Bush administration committed hurt our world standing greatly ??? We are getting new leadership in the nick of time !— ModerateMarge
- SW MIKE: Oh, the troubling Obama Admin. on 1/19. How about Bush's 75th questionable action of having the TORTURE-at-Gitmo announcement go unchallenged, setting all of them free for him to govern after 1/20 by creating a Gitmo dilemma for 44?— Talvenada
- Posted by Phrossty 01:40 PM, 01/19/2009 Si, se puede. Speak English.— 1aviator
- I think this Obama presidency is starting to become troubling. Buried on page 6A of the USA Today is a story about high dollar donors snagging inaugural tickets. Apparantly major corporations have played a significan role in banrolling the the festivities. Nearly 1 out of every five dollars has come fron individuals who work in finance, insurance, and real estate. Of course these donors are assured that this will buy them access and influence. Is this the change we can believe in??
- TypicalWhiteBigot, do I understand that if Obama succeeds, it will be the white part of him and if he fails, it will be he black part?— JimR
- bird11, you say, “Feel free to thank the RTA (the military polls about 2 thirds Republican/conservative) and their families who have fought/bled/died for your rights anytime.” I don’t think so many would have had to bleed and die in Iraq had Bushies sent them over with proper equipment to fight a war (they had Humvees equipped like those you drive to the mall on weekends). And of course we all know how the VA took care of those injured and maimed after they returned. Why are you guys so gullible (Phrossty put it nicely)? Do you hate different people so much that you have to s*ck up to those that f*ck over you?— Djoko Pritza
- Why do people like mish-whatever seem so determined to show how bigoted they are? Socialism, what a joke.— Djoko Pritza
- A little more current... «LINK» http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/business/18bank.html?em «LINK» ... Man I sure could use one ten-thousandth of 1% of $700 Billion to bail me out. That's wealth redistribution I could believe in! So much so that I'd happily pay the taxes on it.— Phrossty
- s-mike, if Bush 41 had delivered the KO punch to Saddam years ago, when we had him on the ropes, Bush 43 could have spent the money on going after Bin Laden. We spent a fortune trying to castrate a eunuch....and the real lunatic makes videos.— JimR
- SW MIKE: There is another way to take that woman's comments other than--and more likely than--Hannity and you do. ............. She worried under Bush that things would ONLY get worse, but w/ Obama she has hopes that things will improve to where she won't have to WORRY about her tomorrows w/ things being worked on and getting fixed, like she was used to from '06 going backward in time. .......... You take it to mean Obama will pay all her bills, and she won't have to work anymore. ...... I see 2 possible meanings w/ one being more possible than the other, while you see the meaning that supports your Conse views as the only way to take it. ................ She said she wouldn't have to WORRY about her bills, and not who would PAY for them.— Talvenada
- Of course, it's old news... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/business/22lobby.html?_r=1 ************** The rich get richer. (But it's not like it's by design, hook or crook. I mean it's fate. Isn't it?)— Phrossty
- Meanwhile, back in the Masters of the Universe world, there's plenty of taxpayer money for fees for investment bankers to manage the bailout funds - but the middle class worker who is struggling to make ends meet will NOT receive a $10,000,000.00 year-end bonus.— Phrossty
- mish798798 - Uh.... the class warfare isn't against self-made, risk-taking, "American Dream" success stories. It's against the entrenched patricians. The patricians always keep the plebeians placated. Why don't you sit back, relax, eat your dinner and watch NASCAR? (Remember, you're really not one of them, but as long as they can get you to believe you are, then they can pit you against us and retain their wealth and power via time proven divide and conquer technique.)— Phrossty
- SW MIKE: If Clinton broke the law, you 'Pubs would have let it slide? Did you forget all the 'Pub opposition to Clinton going after terrorists, governing the country, and the biggest concern for impeachment for any infraction? Did you forget that it was Bush in January thru March who saw Saddam as the bigger threat then and after 9/11? That Bush wanted to get Bin Laden on the cheap and outsourced, and that getting Bin Laden wasn't really that important? That he got the one he wanted in Saddam, who could have been a threat in 2013? Why? Fear of Saddam and fear that anyone other than a Neo-Con 'Pub President--not even a Conse 'Pub President--could be trusted to do the job.— Talvenada
Hey James TL--I see you have already bought in to Obama's and the rest of his Liberal buddies socialist agenda of class warfare. Blame the rich for all of societies problems. History is repeating itself. Karl Marx came to power by convincing the masses that their problems were because of the wealthy in society--so naturally it's OK to take money from the wealthy and redistribute it as the government sees fit. Hitler came to power by blaming the Jews for all of the German societies woes. It's easy to come to power by stirring the masses to blame a segment of the population and promising to "make it right" by punishing and marginalizing that segment of the population. I guess all those people who started with nothing, risked everything, worked tirelessly to reach the "American Dream" and became wealthy are now the enemy to you and Obama. Well, we are about to find out the hard way why socialism doesn't work.- tjhaol- good post. But why would you think the media would not like Obama's speech? It's been wall to wall coverage and most in the media is fawning. I feel like Rip Van Winkle who has just woken up from a 20 year sleep to find out we have state run media. I'm not saying the media should villify Obama they way they did to Bush but would not a smidge of objectivity and levity be in order?
- This is a great country regardless of who is in charge, and what they do to mess it up. It was a great country during JFK, LBJ, during Watergate, under Carter and all who followed. Sure, policies may be to your disliking, but that should not diminish your belief in America as an idea and a beacon of freedom. To say otherwise is simply to show you think the country is great only when policies are to your liking, or its leadership is to your liking. How shallow a soul you must have to hold all of your faith in the ideas of a single man, party or policy that only agrees with you. Obama is an eloquent speaker, and he will no doubt give a thrilling speech tomorrow even if it is bad because the media will frame it so. However, he still needs to provide 500,000 green jobs in renewable energy, provide or save 4 million jobs in two years, stimulate the economy with payments for medicaid, converter boxes for analog to digital, extended unemployment benefits and shovel ready infrastructure projects. It would be great if he spoke tomorrow from a point of optimism, something JFK and Reagan both did....instead of negativity in saying "the road will be hard" and "things will get worse before they get better". Anybody can say those things and they would be a self fulfilling prophecy. I just hope he can rein in Congress (Conyers already has a global warming bill ready) and not have trillion dollar deficits for years to come.— tjhaol
- beeron-- too funny. remember that woman gushing after Obama's election? She was so glad that Obama won the election because he wouldn't have to worry about filling her car with gas or paying her mortgage. To lazy people Obama must be their Jim Jones. The whole cult mentality is becoming scary
- Tavenada- the evidence that President Clinton turned a blind eye towards the gathering threat of terrorism is overwelming. He was offered up Bin Ladin in 1996 by the Saudi's but Clinton could not find a legal reason to take Bin Ladin into custoday. I always found that amusing considering this is a man told us during the Lewinsky scandal that we would have to determin the definition of " is ". Clinton legal olympics were so remarkable that is astonishing to this day that Clinton would not take custody of Bin Ladin in 1996.
- The high priest of hope cometh! After tomorrow I am calling my credit card company, my student loan company, the company that has my car loan, all of them I'm telling them forward the bill to the White House. BHO will take care of me know. Change comin'— beeron
- SW MIKE: That's big of you to give Obama 9 months. For Bush that would have been 9/20/01, and Bush started keeping us safe on 9/12/01!— Talvenada
- SW MIKE: That's big of you to give Obama 9 months. For Bush that would have been 9/20/01, and Bush started keeping us safe on 9/12/01!— Talvenada
- NE PHIL: I asked if he was questioning them, and said nothing about them or their opinions.— Talvenada
- z— James TL
- I didn't vote for Obama and I don't understand the cult mentality of the media or the minions that will sit out in the cold to listen. Based on the socialist ideas Obama has expressed I hope his presidency is a failure in that I am not on board with globalism, wealth redistribution, and the hoax of global warming. In hope that Obama will recognize the need for fiscal responsibility, low taxes, and strong national defense I shall give him until September before I opine. For those who railed against Bush for the 40 million spent in 2004 I should hope you would be outraged over what Obama is spending on this event.
- Tal, how so? Right thinking americans have a right to their opinion too, no?— NEPhilly
Djoko and Tal: another great thing about America people get to express an opinion. Feel free to thank the RTA (the military polls about 2 thirds Republican/conservative) and their families who have fought/bled/died for your rights anytime. You know who won't stop you? Those RTA who do more than provide lip service to believing in America.— bird11- NE PHIL: Thank You for proving Sarah Palin was right!!— Talvenada
- DJOKO: Are you questioning RTA's, Right Thinking Americans, REAL Americans, Great Americans?— Talvenada
- Just when you think people couldn't have their heads further up their Republicans, you get comments like those from bird11, George Tomezsko, camtheman and TypicalWhite Bill. Naked stupidly is hard to watch.— Djoko Pritza
- Tal, I saw where Canada wouldn't even let Bill Ayers into the country over the weekend:) Good luck to President Obama! He is going to need it with his own party, more than the weakened Repubs. Nancy Pelosi sounds like she is on her own leftwing warpath. God help him and us:)— NEPhilly
- WB, too bad the spineless Dems in Congress, including our new Sectry of State, couldn't standup to 'The Decider' and vote against all the bad things he was doing! We should call them, 'The Enablers', no?— NEPhilly
- George, you obviously do not have the intelligence to understand what I wrote; so, please do not try to interpret it. As I said, if you are proud of the last 8 years, good for you. Me, I am not. For the 1st time since 9/11, when Americans rallied to the occasion, I was proud to be an American the night Obama was elected. It proved that hope and enlightenment could conquor the fear and disenchantment that has lingered for too long in this country.— Master Dreamz
- cam "YOU ARE THE MAN" (please imagine a Harry Kalas voice over) - it is a real shame that some people refuse to see how good they have it. For some strange reason during the Bush years more people came to America than left America - think it has anything to do with how great and lucky we are to be here??? And guess what? No matter what Obama does over the next 4 years America will still be a beacon of light and hope to the rest of the world.— bird11
- What Master Dreamz meant to post: When you have an elected leader who thumbs his nose at the morality of the 50 percent of the country who are Christian while proclaiming his commitment to legal abortion and a socialist economy, while he will score points in the eyes of "progressive" elites around the world, he will ultimately bring shame to our country. This will be the Obama legacy. His inability to provide leadership in times of crisis, or by providing lies in times of campaigning, will translate into policy decisions that will throw this country so far off course, it will take an inspirational leader on the order of Ronald Reagan or Pope John Paul II to give us back the feeling of self we derive from being Americans. Stay tuned...— George Tomezsko
- moderatemarge, the only darkness around is apparently in your own mind. You need to get out more and stop ingesting everything that the media feeds you. We still have onne of the highest living standards in the world and the freedom to say and do almost whatever we want. I pitty your deluded outlook.— camtheman
- Nov. 2012 will be the end of an Obimnation, can't get here soon enough as far as I'm concerned. As for you Bush bashers, Bush has done more for humainty as a whole than Obama could ever hope. Because of Bush 20 million Africans in Africa will be spared the scourge of Aids, because of Bush 5million African lives will be saved from Malaria, because of Bush 50 million Muslims in 2 countries have the right to Vote, because of Bush the Pacific Atolls are now the worlds largest protected wild life refuge in the world, and most of all not one American on American soil has been attacked or killed by muslim fanatics. Oh by the way Obama may be your president, but he is definitely not mine nor will he ever be. Just wondering if Obama didn't have white grandparents, who raised in an white house hold, with white values, would he be where he is ? I think not...— TypicalWhiteBill
- WB, I'm guessing your one those people who thinks they are more important than they really are. To rally, BO is overseeing the largest Gov't takeover of domestic affairs since FDR...why should anyone be expecting personal sacrifices when the gov't is going to do everything for us?— camtheman
- JMC: When does the impeachment process start? The Ayers connection alone should be enough, no? ================ Hardly....gotta have a wayward bit of sexual activity somewhere in there.— gloriousglo2
- NE PHIL: Are you going to wear black and mourn tomorrow? ............... Yeah, I know, The American Dream is over. The one where you succeed, become rich, make the rules to benefit you by simultaneously working against the many. Why bother succeeding if you cannot line your pockets at others' expense?— Talvenada
- NEPhilly - nice re-cap of the Bush "The Decider" years. Oh, the stupid - that has GOT to burn, NEPhilly. At least you're getting a sense of humor on the last day of the Worst President Ever.— WB_in_OC
- urcommtsarebeingreviewed - you are going to be sadly mistaken. Obama is going to call on ALL Americans to make sacrifices for he greater good (something Bush never has the courage or fortitude to do). Are you willing to pitch in and do your share? Afterall, the Bush years were SO good to you, right?— rallyrally
- I hate to see Reagan’s demagoguery included here. Sure, “government is the problem” is a clever line. But it’s not true, as was proved by Reagan himself who increased the size of government. There are lots of right-wing lackeys who lap that kind of bogus talk up, whether it has any relevance or not. The right wing likes to govern by slogan. The truth is that the problem is the character and talent of the people chosen to run the government. Sure you don’t want inefficiency, but even that is better than incompetence.— Djoko Pritza
- Bush should have said: Ask not what the rich can do for you, ask what we can do to make them richer.— James TL
- Not always true jmc. When you have an elected leader who thumbs his nose at the rest of the world while proclaiming his righteousness, he brings shame to our country. That is Bush's legacy. His inability to provide leadership in times of crisis (Katrina), or by providing lies in times of crisis (WMD's) have thrown this country so far off course, it is going to take an inspirational leader to give us back the feeling of self we derive from being Americans. It is nice that you and your ilk feel like you can be proud of the last 8 years; but, for the rest of us, we are looking for better things to come.— Master Dreamz
- jmc: your comments are dead on.— doorspj24
- Si, se puede.— Phrossty
- JMC: When does the impeachment process start? The Ayers connection alone should be enough, no?— Talvenada
- "Ask not what you can decide for your government, ask what your government can decide for you':)— NEPhilly
ModerateMarge: America is great no matter who occupies the Oval Office.— jmc- "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country…" My guess is that this is the exact opposite of what many Obama supporters, and Obama himself, have in mind.— jmc
- Darkness? Idiotic. The greatness of this country is the people not the government. That should be the message of all Presidents. Government is ralrely a solution, and won't be this time. This country will be bailed out by the working overtaxed producers that pay 80% of the tax bill.— sleepy
- Comment removed.
- It will be a pleasure to have an inspirational leader again who leads from hope rather than the darkness we have endured for the past 8 years. America will soon recapture it's greatness !— ModerateMarge
- During the last year or so Obama has proven his ability to communicate effectively and to be inspirational in his message. While I will anxiously await to hear the words he delivers tomorrow, the true test is what his leadership and this country do starting the day after.— Bob Beaney
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About this blog
Cited by the Columbia Journalism Review as one of the nation's top political reporters, and lauded by the ABC News political website as "one of the finest political journalists of his generation," Dick Polman is a national political columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He is on the full-time faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, as "writer in residence." Dick has been a frequent guest on C-Span, MSNBC, CNN, NPR and the BBC. He covered the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 presidential campaigns.
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