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Soundbite: Obama’s State Of The Union Soared… Right Over A Cliff

» 7 comments

“President Obama’s State of the Union address soared — right over a familiar cliff.

The president simply couldn’t seem to escape his professorial past, to convey his passion and convictions in the plain words of plain folks, and to breach the chasm between the People’s House and people’s houses.

He’s still stuck on studious.”

Charles M. Blow, in Saturday’s New York Times op-ed “Lost in Translation” about the pitfalls of President Obama’s rhetorical style and specifically, his State of the Union address.

Blow goes on to say that Obama “seems to believe that if he does a better job of explaining his aggressive agenda, then he’ll win hearts and minds.” Instead, Blow writes, “They’re suspicious of complexity.” Maybe he should simplify, Blow suggests, or dumb down:

The message that voters take away is not nuanced: Democrats in control. Bill complicated. Republicans oppose. Politicians bicker. Progress stalls. Democrats failing.

Obama has to accept that today’s information environment is broad and shallow, and we now communicate in headline phrases, acerbic humor and ad hominem attacks. Sad but true.

You can read the entirety of Blow’s review of Obama’s State of the Union here.

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  • Tater Salad

    The American people, minus the left wing progressive loons, are finally wise to this guys socialist agenda with a tinge of Marxism right behind it. They just don’t believe in anything he says anymore and it is evident. He can stand at the podium all day with his teleprompters and he won’t change or influence anyone except the above mentioned loons.

  • pyrope

    What got me was his claim that he had “not sufficiently explained -Obamacare.” His condescending tone reveals he either thinks “We the People” are stupid, or he’s in total denial of the FACT that Americans are simply too smart to want socialized medicine.

    Much became clear in his smackdown of the Supreme Court; he revealed to anyone except his usual gang of sycophants that he–and his regime–are nothing more than elitists–he believes he is so mentally superior to the average citizen that he must treat us like children. Well, that may be true insofar as the idiots who voted for–and continue to support–him is concerned, but some of us knew better all along and some are finally coming to their senses.

    I am reserved in my political predictions but I say this: The -0bama regime will be remembered as the 2nd worst presidency in modern history, and possibly the worst in the entire history of the United States. I merely hope 2010 will mark the official start of our country’s return to sanity, pragmatism, and a rebirth of the Republic given us by all those who sacrificed their blood and treasure to make us free.

  • JimW

    Awesome pyrope! What an amazing comment. Particularly: ” a rebirth of the Republic given us by all those who sacrificed their blood and treasure to make us free.” Why the progressives always talk down to us, think they know better than us and seek to impose their will on us seems to be something that just won’t go away although progressive régimes never seem to be successful. Go figure…

  • Ted

    pyrope – Glenn, Glenn Beck….is that you?

  • JimW

    Clair de lune! Ted! I’ll bet you’re impressed with my “régimes” rather than “regimes.” I must compliment you on your recent very reserved postings.

  • TfT

    Wasn’t there an article on this board recently about Obama’s most used term? and wasn’t it:

    “Let me be clear”?

  • pyrope

    @Ted: No, I’m probably not as intelligent as Mr. Beck but thank you for giving me that much credit. I hope you will indulge me for a moment to allow me to explain why I have such reverence for those who sacrificed their blood and fortune to defeat the heavy hand of tyranny and give you this wonderful country.

    I am one of those people who were not fortunate enough to have been born an American. I worked for 17 years and saved every drachma I could lay my hands on to bring my mother, wife, and child to the USA. When I arrived here, I became a custodian and my wife became a maid and cook. Six years later, we had completed university. Seven years later we owned our first home. This country has been so very good to us!

    By telling you this, I hope you will understand why I am appalled by those who would give up the freedoms of free market capitalism for the sham of socialism. I have lived under socialism my friends and I can tell you that you would want none of it!

    I will admit that some Republicans have sold out their ethics (why I am an independent), but by and large, the conservative principals to which they generally ascribe offer the best opportunities for anyone who is willing to apply themselves and sacrifice their wants in favor of their needs. The following are seven principals of conservatism and economic pragmatism that have guided my life. I hope they will help you, too.

    1. You cannot do business with anyone who has no money, commodity, or can provide no needed service.
    2. You cannot spend your way to prosperity and you cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
    3. NEVER throw good money after bad–doing the same thing over and over while anticipating a different outcome is insanity.
    4. NEVER consume more than you produce.
    5. A service-based economy is a FALSE economy.
    6. NEVER reward bad behavior.
    7. There’s no such thing as “free.” Somebody ALWAYS pays.

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