Thoughts on Obama's speech?

skeptical · 9th September 2009, 07:47 PM

Just finished watching Obama's speech and the Republican response. I missed the first 15 minutes of it, but from what I saw my first thoughts are:

1) He expressed more emotion than I have seen in previous speeches, at times bordering on anger. I actually think this is a good thing. I think it shows he's not just some "Chicago lawyer egghead" and that he actually cares about UHC passing. It's not just some game. Yes, he is a real person, he gets pissed just like everyone else at some of the crap that people have tried to pull.

2) He said repeatedly that he had heard and understood that there were concerns by people and wanted to address them. Whether he spent enough time on that I don't know, but he was clear that he was aware that people were afraid of radical changes and understood it and at least tried to address it.

3) He was fairly specific on the provisions he expected in the final bill, and very specific that it would not cut medicare and not increase the deficit. The idea of including provisions that would force budget cuts if the proposed changes increased spending beyond what was expected I thought was pretty bold. Of course, he punted a bit on public option vs co-ops, but I liked that he said it was just a means to an end and not the ultimate goal, which I think is true.

4) I personally liked that he addressed the lies that have been spread about the plans forcefully and directly. I'm not sure if this was the right strategy politically (wrestling with pigs), but my gut reaction was that I liked that he called a spade a spade and gave no quarter.

There's probably more I could think of but interested in what others think.

One final thought, who was the Republican d-bag (or d-bags) yelling when he was talking? I mean good grief, W-T-F? I can remember presidential addresses going back to Reagan, and I am pretty sure that no president in modern history has ever had a member of congress heckle him during an address to congress.

Whoever it was, they should be thrown out of office and shipped to whatever backwater they hail from. I've about had it with this crap. Disagreement is one thing but its time to put the crazy uncles back in the attic.

parky76 · 9th September 2009, 07:50 PM

amazing speech. he said everything that needed to be said.

Republicans will suffer greatly if they keep trying to protect the status-quo.

and yes, whomever that Republican was that actually called President Obama a "liar" in the middle of a damned Congressional address should be smacked.

willhaven · 9th September 2009, 07:59 PM

7.5/10

skeptical · 9th September 2009, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by willhaven

7.5/10

I'd be interested to hear some specific constructive criticisms. I would have voted it about 8 to 8.5, my main criticism being I thought it went a tad too long and at parts he got a little preachy. I will probably come up with more criticisms after watching it again, but who knows I might like it better the second time.

MattusMaximus · 9th September 2009, 08:15 PM

A damn fine speech, and the fact that many Republicans gave Obama standing ovations numerous times will definitely play well with the American people. Not that it's going to be a love-fest, but when people see the civilized behavior displayed tonight, it is going to make it harder for the Tea Party whackos to gain traction.

That said, I think the GOP is going to have a hard time explaining the fact that Rep. Joe Wilson from SC actually heckled the President during his speech. That sort of behavior is going to make them look bad (the Dems will make certain of that), and I certainly hope that GOP leaders are giving him a good ass-kicking. And it looks like McCain is already taking Wilson out behind the proverbial woodshed for a thrashing.

I predict that, in the end, it will go very much like the economic stimulus: near unanimous Republican opposition with a couple of dissenters in the Senate. Then the rightwingers will rave and foam at the mouth in an effort to, once again, eat their own "RINOs". But for now I'm basking in the glow

MattusMaximus · 9th September 2009, 08:16 PM

Btw, does anyone have a link to the full speech? Has it been uploaded yet?

WildCat · 9th September 2009, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by MattusMaximus

A damn fine speech, and the fact that many Republicans gave Obama standing ovations numerous times will definitely play well with the American people. Not that it's going to be a love-fest, but when people see the civilized behavior displayed tonight, it is going to make it harder for the Tea Party whackos to gain traction.

You must have missed the part where Obama forcefully called the "death panels" a flagrant lie and the Dems stood up and cheered while every single Republican sat still with a look on their faces that said "nobody's home". Yes, they still plan on using the "death panel" angle.

NYCEMT86 · 9th September 2009, 08:25 PM

I thought it was an amazing speech.

Obama did a great job hammering out the details of the important issues of the reform and repeating them and making it very clear for those who still don't understand what this all means.

The emotion was needed, its frustrating when people go to extreme measures to strike fear in people who are unsure of the plan instead of educating them. I am glad he called Palin out for her irresponsible statements as well as other Republicans.

Did anyone catch what the one republican had written on a piece of paper? I saw the only part "What". As for the Congressman that called Obama a liar, well he will now be praised by the Republican party as a hero.

I did expect Ted Kennedy's name to be brought up, but honestly, Obama and Kennedy were good friends way before Obama ran for President, so I don't think it was entirely for political points.

Overall, 8.5/9.0

MattusMaximus · 9th September 2009, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by WildCat

You must have missed the part where Obama forcefully called the "death panels" a flagrant lie and the Dems stood up and cheered while every single Republican sat still with a look on their faces that said "nobody's home". Yes, they still plan on using the "death panel" angle.

No, I didn't miss it. I just don't feel like obsessing about it.

And, btw, I am not naive enough to think that the radical nutwads are going to simply stop spewing nonsense. I'm just saying it's likely they'll have a harder time making it stick, especially with the Democrats having found their collective spine again

corplinx · 9th September 2009, 08:29 PM

needed more cowbell

MattusMaximus · 9th September 2009, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by corplinx

needed more cowbell

Wins thread

skeptical · 9th September 2009, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by MattusMaximus

That said, I think the GOP is going to have a hard time explaining the fact that Rep. Joe Wilson from SC actually heckled the President during his speech. That sort of behavior is going to make them look bad (the Dems will make certain of that), and I certainly hope that GOP leaders are giving him a good ass-kicking. And it looks like McCain is already taking Wilson out behind the proverbial woodshed for a thrashing.

It's too bad the McCain felt he had to actually defend Palin and others like her though. I'm sorry, but calling wackjob nonsense out is not partisan, its reality. Maybe he thought Obama should just have let it go, but the fact is that Palin has never backed off on her derangement and in fact keeps pushing it. Well, you mess with the bull you get the horns, and McCain would do well to distance himself from her.

MattusMaximus · 9th September 2009, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by skeptical

It's too bad the McCain felt he had to actually defend Palin and others like her though. I'm sorry, but calling wackjob nonsense out is not partisan, its reality. Maybe he thought Obama should just have let it go, but the fact is that Palin has never backed off on her derangement and in fact keeps pushing it. Well, you mess with the bull you get the horns, and McCain would do well to distance himself from her.

Agreed on all points. That said, I credit McCain for having the balls to be the first Republican to call out Rep. Wilson for his extreme douche-baggery.

skeptical · 9th September 2009, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by NYCEMT86

Did anyone catch what the one republican had written on a piece of paper? I saw the only part "What". As for the Congressman that called Obama a liar, well he will now be praised by the Republican party as a hero.

I saw "bill", but not sure if the whole thing was "What Bill" of if there was more. Whatever it was, I just kept thinking, "what are you, in 5th grade with your little banners?" Seriously, how frickin childish is it sitting there waiving a piece of paper over your head while the grown folks are talking?

LostAngeles · 9th September 2009, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by NYCEMT86

Did anyone catch what the one republican had written on a piece of paper? I saw the only part "What". As for the Congressman that called Obama a liar, well he will now be praised by the Republican party as a hero.

Originally Posted by skeptical

I saw "bill", but not sure if the whole thing was "What Bill" of if there was more. Whatever it was, I just kept thinking, "what are you, in 5th grade with your little banners?" Seriously, how frickin childish is it sitting there waiving a piece of paper over your head while the grown folks are talking?

I saw the whole thing, it did say, "What Bill?" I think he got a few Bic Pens and made it up before heading down. The signs that were made by the small group of UCLA doctors walking in support of the public option look like a bunch of them did a spontaneous protest on their lunch break and they were better made.

I saw other people waving flyers with more stuff on them, but I couldn't read them.

NYCEMT86 · 9th September 2009, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by skeptical

I saw "bill", but not sure if the whole thing was "What Bill" of if there was more. Whatever it was, I just kept thinking, "what are you, in 5th grade with your little banners?" Seriously, how frickin childish is it sitting there waiving a piece of paper over your head while the grown folks are talking?

Eh, nobody said you had to be an adult to get elected, just have to meet the age requirement and have people like you.

Originally Posted by LostAngeles

I saw the whole thing, it did say, "What Bill?" I think he got a few Bic Pens and made it up before heading down. The signs that were made by the small group of UCLA doctors walking in support of the public option look like a bunch of them did a spontaneous protest on their lunch break and they were better made.

I saw other people waving flyers with more stuff on them, but I couldn't read them.

Thanks for the clarification.

NYCEMT86 · 9th September 2009, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by MattusMaximus

-snip-

That said, I think the GOP is going to have a hard time explaining the fact that Rep. Joe Wilson from SC actually heckled the President during his speech. That sort of behavior is going to make them look bad (the Dems will make certain of that), and I certainly hope that GOP leaders are giving him a good ass-kicking. And it looks like McCain is already taking Wilson out behind the proverbial woodshed for a thrashing.

-snip-

I see this only as gaining brownie points by appeasing the voters, he looks good in the eyes of the Democrats for calling Sen. Wilson out on this, but he can still look good in the eyes of his fellow Republicans by standing behind Palin.

corplinx · 9th September 2009, 09:04 PM

I felt it was too much like a sermon at the end. It felt like he was preaching. He was using the style pastor's use to sway an audience.

I was waiting for people to start saying "testify!".

Random · 9th September 2009, 09:06 PM

Joe Wilson, the Congressman from South Carolina's 2nd district who will be one of the most talked about individuals from this speach released a non-apology apology this evening.

Quote:

WASHINGTON (CNN) — GOP Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina issued a statement Wednesday night apologizing for his outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress:

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."

Of course, you could actually look at the bill itself and tell whether or not illegal immigrants are actually covered, but Joe Wilson seems to be satisfied to "disagree" with Obama's statement.

Juniversal · 9th September 2009, 09:12 PM

Definately enjoyed the speech. Covered the bases and made the right compromises when it comes to the bills content (as it stands).

sugarb · 9th September 2009, 09:19 PM

Text of speech: http://news.aol.com/article/text-of-...-speech/663773

I thought it was a good speech, and yeah, I think the emotion was necessary. How could there be no emotion about this topic? You know what? I'll even admit that part of it? Made me cry. Because I *know* what it feels like to have to say to a parent, there is something that could help you, but we can't afford it.

ARubberChickenWithAPulley · 9th September 2009, 09:25 PM

I thought it was generally a good speech, though there were definitely aspects I liked more than others.

I liked:
- I liked that he took on the whole "death panel" thing head on (it's about time).
- The health insurance exchange concept and how he explained it
- Malpractice reform (pilot a few programs and see how they work), and that he will try it, but also notes that it isn't a silver bullet (true)
- Not allowed to add to the deficit (that needs to be in whatever bill we pass)
- Explaining not just that they will get rid of pre-existing condition exclusions and lifetime limits, but how it can actually make sense to do it, economically

Things I didn't like:
- He focused most of his energy on the "boogymen" of the hour (insurance companies). Obviously they're an important part of the system, but it's become a pretty transparent political move on the part of the Democrats to try to couch this as much as possible as "taking on the big bad insurance companies"
- Next to nothing on actually making the system less expensive; He discussed cost a little, but I heard very little of substance on how the overall cost of our system will be addressed
- The public option: Pretty weak. He plays it up as important... then downplays it as not very important at all. My guess is it falls by the wayside in the end. He tried to walk the tightrope on this, and I don't think it will work.
- Taxing health insurance and pharmacy companies to pay for it. Gotta say, I don't get it. Both are already taxed to various degrees, including state taxes directly on health insurance premiums. Politically, I'm sure they make great targets since neither industry exactly has a sterling reputation or much sympathy from the public. But I don't care if you throw another 30 million customers in there... I have a hard time seeing how that tax won't just be passed on to customers in the form of higher drug prices and higher premiums.

Sceptic Realist · 9th September 2009, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by skeptical

Just finished watching Obama's speech and the Republican response.

I liked how the writer of the Republican response didn't really seem to pay attention to what Obama actually said.

Pardalis · 9th September 2009, 09:45 PM

Who was that idiot who yelled "liar" during his speech? Who the hell yells during a president's State of the Union?

skeptical · 9th September 2009, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by LostAngeles

I saw the whole thing, it did say, "What Bill?" I think he got a few Bic Pens and made it up before heading down. The signs that were made by the small group of UCLA doctors walking in support of the public option look like a bunch of them did a spontaneous protest on their lunch break and they were better made.

I saw other people waving flyers with more stuff on them, but I couldn't read them.

Ok, I'm confused. I thought they were Republican congressman waiving protest sheets at Obama during the speech. Are you saying they were actually waiving them to _support_ a public option? That's very confusing to me as they were sitting on the Republican side and it seemed like they kept showing them at times when Obama was addressing points to the Republicans.

My assumption (apparently bad) was that they were trying to protest what he was saying be waiving sheets of paper at him. If they were not, in the immortal words of Gilda Radner: "Never mind".

WildCat · 9th September 2009, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by skeptical

Ok, I'm confused. I thought they were Republican congressman waiving protest sheets at Obama during the speech. Are you saying they were actually waiving them to _support_ a public option? That's very confusing to me as they were sitting on the Republican side and it seemed like they kept showing them at times when Obama was addressing points to the Republicans.

My assumption (apparently bad) was that they were trying to protest what he was saying be waiving sheets of paper at him. If they were not, in the immortal words of Gilda Radner: "Never mind".

I just assumed they were copies of his Kenyan birth certificate.

Policenaut · 9th September 2009, 10:00 PM

I agree with DR. I said it in another thread recently but in much fewer words. Critical thinking is skewed when it comes to politics. I think most people here are rational and critical thinkers when it comes to science and religion. But when it comes to politics and even economics many here are blinded by rhetoric and partisanship. It taints their views and leads to this board being dominated by people who just don't care beyond their own viewpoints. Anyone with a different opinion is wrong.

As to the speech tonight I thought it was a typical Obama speech. If you don't know what that means by now then you really haven't been paying attention to his speeches. They all use the same tactics and all have the same strengths and flaws.

skeptical · 9th September 2009, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Darth Rotor

None of you has yet addressed reality in your impassioned arguments for and/or against for the past two months. Commenting on this speech, a bit of political craft, has naught to do with fixing what ails the system.

Unfortunately, fixing the system requires political craft. That's a republic for you, if you can keep it.

How is government reform not supposed to involve politics, exactly?

Originally Posted by Darth Rotor

It's too damned expensive to just go and see a doctor.

And the reason for that and the solution is......?

Originally Posted by Darth Rotor

Schluss, punkt, aus.

I don't speak Spanish, but that just seems rude.

NYCEMT86 · 9th September 2009, 10:07 PM

Obama's Speech for those who missed it

Part 1