First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

H. Greene, NH — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:19:05 GMT

Getting whiplash listening to The Obama. First we have to spend money, then we have to cut the deficit. Then we have to spend more money, then we have to be fiscally sound.

Which is it?

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Josh Larson, FL — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:20:20 GMT

Many are dumping and razzing on the Governors who are looking at not taking the money from the government.

An interesting recent comparison now exists, coming from 3 of the largest employers in the United States.

GM, Chrysler and Ford all originally approached the government for money to help them. After learning all that the government would want in return for the money, Ford elected to, now get this, NOT take the money.

A few months later and guess what…….

GM and Chrysler are on their way back to Washington to request more money and Ford, who did not take the money, is in better shape, based on the adjustments they and their employees made, and looks to be in the best position now of the Big Three.

Another interesting point is that by taking the money from the government, GM and Chrysler will now have government control over what they can and can not do to include car designs.

Ford, by NOT taking the money, has the freedom to offer people the vehicles they are looking for and it should benefit them in the long run.

An interesting example of what American determination, ingenuity, drive and commitment can deliver when challenged. I am sure FORD will reap the benefits of their refusing the money, now as they already are and into the future.

BRAVO FORD! A great example for us all!

The Government is not the ONLY entity capable of taking care of us.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Terry, Kansas City — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:21:17 GMT

Great speech! While I didn't buy into the rhetoric that President Obama was being too pessimistic over the past month last night's speech clearly showed that he is optimistic about our future. He told us it won't be easy. He told us it will require us to make hard choices. He told us it was our fault. Thank you! If that dose of reality is negativism so be it. It is finally time our leader owned up to the extent of the problem and the pain that will be required to solve it.

After the lackluster leadership - both nationally and globally - we had with the prior occupant of the White House President Obama's realistism is a welcome relief.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Color me shocked! — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:21:52 GMT

What a surprise-the wildly unbiased First Read site only picks out the rave reviews. I liked Tucker Carlson's review, but of course that is nowhere to be found on this site.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Linda Marshall, CO — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:23:10 GMT

I sure hope Nancy Pelosi is all right. She was jumping up and down more at that speech then an aerobics instructor high on caffine. And has anyone decoded what Nancy was communicating to us with all her eye blinks? It must have been important, she was frantically blinking all night. I think she was telling us that Biden needs to use more deodorant.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

KLM in MI — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:23:25 GMT

Bunch of rhetoric. Words. Just words.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Ed, FW, TX — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:23:41 GMT

I have a simple challange for all who still rely on the media filters to get their information and form their opinions. READ or LISTEN to the President's speech for yourself! I see the President as a great speaker, a superior politician and a inspirational leader, but that is just my opinion.

Get involved by thinking for youselves and doing something small each day to help America move forward. The President can lead but we must follow with dedication and sincerity.

God Bless America and God Bless President Barack Obama!

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Ollie — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:26:29 GMT

President Obama is a great speaker of the written speech. Its when he is asked a question that he starts the.."ah I ah its ah well you see ah.."
That said I support him and beleive he is sincere. I hope he can do what he says and get this country back on track. It will take the people behind him, not the politicians and greedy big business.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Eric, Salinas, CA — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:26:34 GMT

Barack Obama proved yet again he is the master craftsman of Oratory while Jindal proved he was not ready for prime time by being as boring as watching paint dry. It's going to be so much fun watching Obama destroy whatever sacrifical lamb the repugnant ones throw against him.

Obama Connects!

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Pete, Salinas, CA — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:29:59 GMT

The Speech - A great one in regards to style

The Speech - Finally, somebody got to Obama about being so negative and gloomy. MUCH BETTER.

The Speech - Specifics, just like Bush, not much at all here. He still is trying to go both ways and in so doing winds up with no specific plans to take care of the problems. The part about the automobile was a prime example. He offered no plan or ideas. Too much like Bush.

The Speech - Far better and more positive than any he has given as President. A 6 on a scale of 10.

46 more months to impress us, solve the problems and get everything back on tract.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Class Warrior, D.C. — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:32:20 GMT

Good speech, hard to criticize...but I'm sure the Repigs will try. Good luck with that...

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

no joe, no bo, nj — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:36:07 GMT

President Obama and candidate Obama give the same kind of speeches: lots of words that say nothing.

On the one point he did make-I was outraged. I DO NOT live beyond my means. IDO NOT rely on my neighbors, children, or others to help me maintain my lifestyle. My bills are paid on time, in full, and always have been.

How, exactly, did I cause this crisis?

In fact, this crisis was caused when DEMOCRATS would not allow the government to rein in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It was caused when Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, who took campaign cash and favorable mortgages from them, protected them from regulation. It was caused by people who could not afford mansions bought them anyway, and now expect ME to pay their mortgages. And it was caused by speculators, who bought houses for no money down and interest only mortgages, expecting to flip them in a year-the real estate Ponzi scheme-and who now expect me to remunerate them for their losses.

It was also exacerbated by OBAMA-whose doom and gloom rhetoric caused many in the middle class to stop spending. That isn't just my opinion, it's Bill Clinton's, as well. Obama started this snowball rolling down the hill, and now he is left trying to stop it. Good luck with that-the 'new depression' is the media's new fad, and every front page of every newspaper contains at least one story about the sacrifices and pain felt by the newly frugal.

One of the problems those of us who do not worship the new Elvis predicted was that he would force those who work hard and play by the rules to bail out those who game the system. It's coming, it's started, and I can only hope that enough people wake up before we lose this country altogether.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Tony in Tacoma — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:54:41 GMT

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Full Moon — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:58:23 GMT

Obama's speech was made to order for the misguided Dems who wanted to hear exactly what he said.

If they didn't read the Stimulus then they certainly are going to applaud BHO's every sentence. They're like trained rabbits, thumping their big hind feet when Pelosi would jump out of her chair to quickly signal applause. It would have been easier to have an "applause" sign turned off and on above Obie's head.

But Obie's speech wasn't completely bad to my ears.
Most of it actually "sounded" good, although when I really thought about it I realized it was really a "spread the wealth" speech with a lessened Homeland Security fund and a few lies sprinkled here and there. The basic theme of the speech was, if you heard between the lines, "we're gonna spend, spend, spend .... and then we're gonna spend some more."

The programs that Obie outlined last night would cost another trillion or two to even get started, and this without any hint of whether any single one of them will work. BHO said the elimination of current programs which aren't working would help cut the costs. Not even close on that line, Obie. I don't even think the gullibles bought that one but still, he threw it out there. Turn the "applause" sign on.

Half of the speech was filled with promises and good feelings ... and blame. Typical Obie stuff. "We inherited a big debt." But BHO didn't say that he would enhance that inheritance 3 times over and then had the gall to say that in 4 years he will have cut the whole thing in half. That's a vision of grandeur and there are medicines for that.

"Gitmo will close down" and "America does not torture" was real big with the Dems. A poll revealed that Repubs were generally turned off by those statements. Certainly it's good news to any terrorist who may be plotting something against us. An invitation of sorts but the gullibles don't really see it that way.

Obama has thrown everything into the political ring at once. The first Stimulus has re-paid his far left supporters and organizations, like Acorn, many times over. Illogical amounts of money to find out why there are so many flies in certain areas of Nebraska, etc. The list is never-ending and again, wasn't even read but still voted for.

Obama's radical approach to get his agenda done as soon as possible, no matter the cost, is a burden the American people will have to deal with for 4 years. I don't believe it's feasable. I think he has chosen to roll the dice and we'll see if America wins or loses. The odds are against us.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

MPE, Baltimore, MD — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:59:54 GMT

President Obama continues to amaze me. I loved Rachel's comment or lack thereof after Jindal's speech. I know exactly how she felt. He would have a hard time being voted President of the Debate Club. Sorry! The Repugs have a very steep hill to climb to get on a level playing field. Sorry!

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Tombstone Shadow — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:05:31 GMT

Funny that Obama put his VP Biden in charge of his recovery plan, simply called Recovery and the website Recovery.gov.

This morning Biden couldn't remember the name or the website, and he's the one who's supposed to be running it. Yeah, "nobody messes with Joe."

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:07:57 GMT

The rhetoric, by contrast, reflected his apparent belief that most Americans remain instinctually conservative, leaving him and his agenda acutely vulnerable to backlash."
------------------------------------------------------
Politico = GOP water carriers. Thanks for calling them out, First Read. I love how the alleged "liberal media" keeps trying to push the idea that this is a "center-right" country. Of course, they never quite specify which aspects of "rightness" Americans prefer.

We already know that most Americans are NOT in favor of the financial community creating global economic collapse. Most of us are in favor of well-trained and well-funded first responders. And while many aspects of public education may be improved upon, the idea as a whole is well-received.

I would also guess that the vast majority of Americans would rather NOT die of food-borne diseases, in order that a food corporation could improve its profit margins. Nor would they approve of the sustained polluting of our air and water supply- also by corporations looking to cut costs where they can. The "free market" doesn't protect Americans from the greed of the corporation- sorry, Mr. Norquist. That is why government oversight and REGULATION is necessary to some degree.

At least in the Obama administration, the regulatory agencies will consist of more than simply a sign on the door and a Bush crony behind the desk.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

edward l. williams hinesville ga — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:08:50 GMT

Bunch of rhetoric. Words. Just words.
KLM in MI (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:23 AM)

This President could be God and you and your gang would not support him. He could get this county back to being great, and you and yours would not support him. It must be a drag to be you. Your life must be hell. Waking up each morning and Barack Obama is the President of the United States of America. It sucks to be you. I wake up hopeful that this country finds it way back. I wake up wanting someone (Dem or Rep) to give my and my children hope for tomorrow.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Polythene Pam — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:08:52 GMT

edward l. williams:

That's the problem. The Dems think Obama is God. They don't have to read his stimulus. They just approve it.

Why do you think the GOP refers to him as the Messiah and the Chosen One?

God works in peculiar ways but so does the devil.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Angela, NJ — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:13:10 GMT

When will you republicans figure it out. We love Obama, he's smart and fair. Maybe everything he wants to do won't work, but at least he is trying. Unlike bush who was just helping out his rich friends.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:24:26 GMT

>>>Good speech, hard to criticize...but I'm sure the Repigs will try. Good luck with that...
Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:32 AM)

==========
They did. Didn't you see Mr. Rogers...er, I mean Bobby Jindal do the rebuttal?

"Oh God!"
http://jawillie.blog.com

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

katiec — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:48:56 GMT

All you criticizing President Obama have yet to offer acceptable, workable plans by the GOP. It is because they have none, and, what creditbility would their ideas have when they brought our country to it's knees
with their policies.
The fact that they are putting party over the survival
of our country is proof enough of how hypocritical,
unAmerican they are.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Just Sayin' — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:05:46 GMT

Bunch of rhetoric. Words. Just words.
KLM in MI (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:23 AM)
==========

And your side has empty, failed policies. Tax cuts for the wealthy. Nothing else......bunch of rhetoric. Words. Just words.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

REG in AZ — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:33:22 GMT

Last night George Will made a statement that I think I quote accurately as, 'President Obama wants to take it from the successful and give it to the unsuccessful'. When Republicans use narrow views such as that to criticize, yet they actually blindly and stubbornly supported the arrogant irresponsibility of Bush-Cheney, and then they advocate that they offer hope for the average American with having a real desire for bipartisan cooperation, as Bobby Jindal stated, yet they just follow a strong and united obstructionist policy that literally only faults, blocks and attempts to sabotage everything, they really instill no confidence and rather only generate contempt. It seems they always try to justify returning to more of the same concentration on Special Interests and a select few where they gave only apathy, the costs and an abundance of subterfuge to the many and that is totally unacceptable. Republicans now simply depend on rhetoric to deceive instead of deeds to believe.

First 100 days: Reviews of the speech

Rob, from Iowa — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:45:42 GMT

I got more nervous and anxious hearing him talk about the economy.

It was only when he talked about terrorism that my spine stiffened.

Christ, dude. Why do you talk down this economy? Talk it up!