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Shocker: Fox News Panel Mostly Finds Obama’s State Of The Union ‘Flat’ And ‘Uninspired’

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President Barack Obama delivered his third State of the Union speech tonight, and in an age in which opinion media so dominates political will, the reaction to the delivered text by various pundits is almost as interesting as the text itself. Take for example the initial reaction by the Fox News panel that seemed primarily unimpressed by what some may have seen as a significant move to the center by the Democratic president. Charles Krauthammer did not demure, calling the speech “flat and uninspired” and “remarkably against the trend of what the electorate said this November.”

To be fair, the energy in the room was dramatically different than recent State of the Union speeches, largely because the two parties were not sitting in clear and separate sections of the House. Without question, the somewhat improvised mixed seating arrangement that was conceived to show unity, took away many of the partisan interruptions but made for a more fractured and yes, entertaining experience. While it was perhaps less interesting to partisan bloggers looking for snark, it did create a rare and more unifying experience for the speech.

But this was largely overlooked by the Fox News panel, who focused on the actual rhetoric and ignored the “room,” at least in their initial reaction. Brit Hume seemed to agree with Krauthammer’s critique saying that it appeared that Obama “wanted the speech to be upbeat about America’s future, but only outlined further government spending.” When challenged by fellow guest Juan Williams, Hume doubled down by theoretically asking the President “How much borrowed money, Sir are you willing to spend on these items?” Sharp words that appear to have come from someone who may have missed (or overlooked?) any bipartisan effort from the President.

Kirsten Powers offered some historical context in defense of the speech by suggesting that State of the Union speeches are always known for “soaring oratory” and that this was no different. Williams went to bat for Obama, lauding the President for the realistic nature of the speech, clarifying that it was “not a time for fake oratory” adding admiration for the simple note that Obama made when he said “we do big things.”

Watch the video below, courtesy of Fox News.

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  • tatboy

    So did MSNBC dumba$$.

  • Seeing 2012 From My Window

    Well Colby, there were 2 liberals that agreed. Over on A-MESS-NBC they didn’t even pretend to be fair and balanced, they stacked the deck with 5 flaming liberals. Shocking!

    ps Future President Ryan was GREAT!

  • http://www.facebook.com/mgzaloom Zaloomination

    Colby, why do you make it sound like Fox news was lopsided, and then mention that 2 of them were supportive of the speech?

  • http://www.facebook.com/mgzaloom Zaloomination

    Fox has more liberals than msnbc has conservatives. Shocking, I know.

  • lonestar77

    Colby:
    You’re all over the map. You say “Shocker: Fox News Panel Finds Obama’s State Of The Union ‘Flat’ And ‘Uninspired’”. Who is “Fox News Panel”? Krauthammer offered that as his opinion. Unless his nickname is “Fox News Panel” then your headline is incorrect. You noted that Powers gave “faint praise” and that Juan Williams “went to bat for Obama”. How does that jive with your headline?

    You called Powers the “token” democrat. What the heck is Juan Williams? The panel consisted of 2 people who support Obama, 2 people who don’t and an anchor.

    You obviously let your unabashed hate for Fox News interfere with your synopsis of what you saw. Unfortanately, that’s par for the course for the vast majority of your colleagues.

  • lonestar77

    Zaloomination said:
    Colby, why do you make it sound like Fox news was lopsided, and then mention that 2 of them were supportive of the speech?

    Because he’s a typical Fox hater so it doesn’t matter what they do.

  • dhg

    Scarborough said the same thing on NBC.

    Says something when a normal speech with normal responses is viewed as deficient.No wonder we’re in a world of shit.

  • 24AheadDotCom

    Meanwhile, back at the asylum, Bachmann had a chart. I suspect the chart is bogus and reflects spending on things like Iraq, something that the teapartiers supported. Iraq will end up costing somewhere between $1 and $3 trillion, yet the supposed fiscal conservatives supported or ignored everything GWB did to the U.S.

    And, in her speech, Bachmann didn’t say a peep about immig., the issue where Obama and the entire Beltway are weakest. In fact, the teaparty “patriots” have largely ignored that issue despite the fact that it’s more fundamental and vital than spending.

    Can we get a real opposition to Obama and the Beltway?

    http://24ahead.com/s/tea-parties

  • xtranormal

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    And where the hell was my GLENNIE, he’s not good enough for a FOX panel!!!??? They had that Balloon Head witch Michelle B who’s after my Glennie. Not that she has a chance with him cause he’s just NUTS about me, who do you think he got the chainsaw out for ..me, he knows I love it. So there!!

    I don’t care .

    Keith tweets on The Twitter .

  • I can see 2016 from my window.

    Faux News has a firm grasp on flat and uninspired.

  • Seeing 2012 From My Window

    So who do you think will win the cable news war tonight 2016? My $$’s on FOX!!!! That’s a pretty safe bet I think.

  • Pablo

    But what about the Frank Luntz focus group? I loved the part where the guy said Obama is doing great because he brought the unemployment rate down. I must say that I was a little disturbed when he asked them whom planned to vote to reelect Obama and 7 hands went up. The hands were not the least bit diverse. What’s up with that? I blame whitey.

  • Seeing 2012 From My Window

    I loved the focus group too Pablo. 13 of them had said they did vote for Obama and only 7 thought they would vote to re-elect him. Not a great sign, but there’s lots of time!

  • ImNotBlue

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:

    Give it a rest, Royal. That comment doesn’t make any sense at all… even as a mock-post, it’s just dumb.

  • I can see 2016 from my window.

    Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
    So who do you think will win the cable news war tonight 2016? My $$’s on FOX!!!! That’s a pretty safe bet I think.

    Fox coming in #1 is like the fat kid outrunning the kid in the wheelchair and the blind kid.

  • ImNotBlue

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    Well look at that , the comment police!!! You Homosex lusting after RRK, sorry to disappoint Buster you just keep your blue paws off my GLENNIE YOU STUPID LIB!!!

    I wonder what’s more offensive… your lack of logic, or your willingness to use offensive slurs in an attempt to discredit another poster?

    Either way, you fail. Come on, Royal… try another personality, this one isn’t working for you tonight.

  • Seeing 2012 From My Window

    No worries, INB. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I seem to live rent free in alot of liberals heads. I take it as a compliment that they are so obsessed with me.

  • ImNotBlue

    Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
    No worries, INB. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I seem to live rent free in alot of liberals heads. I take it as a compliment that they are so obsessed with me.

    Indeed… and honestly, that’s fine. But if someone is going to be hyper-critical and stalker-ish on that level, at least make some sense and be clever. The persona is satire… so be a little funny. That’s not funny, it’s just dumb.

  • ImNotBlue

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    OFFENSIVE SLURS!!!??? No one doe sthat better than you know who and I won’t let you or that fat drug addicted wanna be that tries to steal Glennies limelight say any different!! So there!!

    “Does it better?” Who cares who does it better? You’re the one doing it now!

    Do you really think it helps your cause? Are you achieving anything positive?

  • Seeing 2012 From My Window

    INB says:

    Indeed… and honestly, that’s fine. But if someone is going to be hyper-critical and stalker-ish on that level, at least make some sense and be clever. The persona is satire… so be a little funny. That’s not funny, it’s just dumb.

    I know right? The ones that mock the King are flipping hilarious!

  • sockpuppet

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    Well look at that , the comment police!!! You Homosex lusting after RRK, sorry to disappoint Buster you just keep your blue paws off my GLENNIE YOU STUPID LIB!!!

    Oh my GOD I LOVE it when we can call neoCONS “HOMOSEX “!!!!!!1111 It gives me a raging ENTITLEMENT CHUBBY ™ . the BEST THING about an ENTITLEMENT CHUBBY …..is someone GIVES it to me !!!!111!

  • Linda

    What else would those idiots think! lol

    Personally I found it very inspiring and more and more people are not only supporting Obama and his rating are increasing but, more and more are tired of all the lies and propaganda that Fox is so famous for.

  • Karl Svensen

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    thats why I allow you on my site

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA GOOD ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111 LOL!!!!!!!!111

  • Linda

    lonestar77 said:
    Because he’s a typical Fox hater so it doesn’t matter what they do.

    Sounds like the guy has a brain and can think for himself…..damn!

  • Seeing 2012 From My Window

    Linda says:

    Personally I found it very inspiring and more and more people are not only supporting Obama and his rating are increasing but, more and more are tired of all the lies and propaganda that Fox is so famous for.

    Hey did you see the focus group that was done after his speech? Of 13 people that voted for him, only 7 would vote to re-elect. You need to prepare yourself for bad news.

  • Karl Svensen

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    I do take it as a compliment that everyone flatters me with their cheap imitations but you are so special Blue and thats why I allow you on my site and yes you can continue to just use up all your life minutes being the comment police but you have to share with Obeezy and don’t get all Homosex with him.

    HAhahahaHAHAHahaHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!111 GOOD ONE Seeing 20l2 From My Window !! <3 <3 <3 (no HOMO!!!1)!!1

  • ImNotBlue

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    Linda, what I meant to say is that Fox news is all about making their masters happy, and really what is wrong with that? Does it really matter that a fine democracy is completely trashed because the multinational corporations need to be fed? Really , does it? Here , have a Xanax, you’ll feel everything is just fine.

    So you believe that by speaking a different opinion, they’re trashing a “fine democracy?” Isn’t that what democracy is all about? A free exchange of a difference of opinion?

    But hey, at least you made a post without slurs… so I’ve successfully shamed you into showing a little bit of grace and civility. Progress!

  • Bunny

    I think I’ve become so jaded that I can’t find any speech by any politician inspiring because I know the speeches are carefully crafted to have the desired political impact, rather than coming from the heart. They don’t really mean anything.

    I think the president is between a rock and hard place. He has little choice but to move toward the center if he wants anything at all accomplished during the remainder of his term (and he needs to accomplish some things if he wants to have a shot at a second term). If he still had both the Senate and House, I doubt he’d be so conciliatory or amenable to bipartisanship.

    That said, I’d love to see the president bring both parties together and for ALL those (R) and (D) back-slapping, glad-handers on the Hill to work for the benefit of the people for a change so we can get this country back to good.

  • Karl Svensen

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window said:
    You’re asking for a thrashing young man!! Don’t be suprised if you have 576 thumbs down!!!!

    Seeing 20l2 From My Window!!!!111 WITH YOUR LOVE OF CAPITALIZATION AND EXCLAMATION POINTS, PEOPLE MIGHT START MISTAKING YOU FOR ME!!!!1111 YOU’RE DOING A GREAT JOB!!!!!111

  • Karl Svensen

    BTW HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CAPS-LOCK DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

  • shellys_ghost

    ooooOOOOOOooooOOOOOOOooooOOOoTHUMBSoooooOOOOOOOOOOoooooooOOoo

  • Severian

    Who let the children type?

  • BruceGoose
  • OxyCon

    I think people are beginning to figure out that Obama is a disingenuous poseur who got where he is today precisely because he figured out as a young man how to tell people exactly what they wanted to hear, and that he is a grandiloquent speaker, with the same narrating skills as Ted Williams the homeless bum.

    The great thing about a poseur like Obama, who is in love with the sound of his own voice, is that there is literally miles of his empty rhetoric, broken promises and outlandish claims recorded. The 2012 election season is going to be very interesting, since Obama has made it so easy to slice and dice his sham record in office.

  • Michael Charles

    Good comment, Bunny, Hear Hear!

  • lonestar77

    Linda said:
    Sounds like the guy has a brain and can think for himself…..damn!

    I’m sure he does but he didn’t use it tonight. He contradicted himself throughout his entire post.

    “Fox News Panel is in unison” “Fox News Panel Disagrees”

    “token Democrat” “another Token Democrat which makes half the panel Democrat”

  • Michael Charles

    I think people are beginning to figure out that Obama is a disingenuous poseur who got where he is today precisely because he figured out as a young man how to tell people exactly what they wanted to hear, and that he is a grandiloquent speaker, with the same narrating skills as Ted Williams the homeless bum.

    The great thing about a poseur like Obama, who is in love with the sound of his own voice, is that there is literally miles of his empty rhetoric, broken promises and outlandish claims recorded. The 2012 election season is going to be very interesting, since Obama has made it so easy to slice and dice his sham record in office.

    OxyCon…

    You must be out of your mind. The “poseur” (in your mind) was elected by we the people in a fair election. My guess is that you have a problem with Obama because he looks different from the members of your your tribe, i.e. a black guy. I think you are a racist.

  • George C

    Michael Charles said:
    My guess is that you have a problem with Obama because he looks different from the members of your your tribe, i.e. a black guy. I think you are a racist.

    * sigh *

  • scristanti

    It was boring and he said all the same old crap, he does not fool us one bit , hes faking the move to the middle, once he is elected if he is again , he will go back to the left.

  • Tomas57

    “Homosex”? You’ve got to be kidding…. “Homosex”? The Scientologist in you is showing… you’re “interbulating” me, dude.

    Interesting how the left-wing posters are talking solely about FOX, not O’s speech.

    -

  • The Lantern of Truth

    RRKING on Fox ” News ” . I despise this channel from the top of my Cowgirl hatted head to the tips of my Dale Evans ‘ signature rodeo boots ! I watch it all the time , but only so I can keep an eye on their lovely newspeople . I watch the Fox ladies , too , but just to dish on their outfits . I never actually hear what they are saying , because Armwood has his Cher records blasting so loud . So , I cannot comment on the substance . But , I will , anyway . They are as wrong as Gloria Allred in a blue outfit ! They are as misguided as Army wearing his hot pants to the ballet ! Fox is as truthful as I am when Arms asks if his new pedalpushers are becoming . ( They look bad , but I just can’ t break his little heart ) .

    I ‘ ll be back tonight to cuss and fuss when I reappear as SarahP. !

  • ChrisNH

    The beautiful thing about reading through the rabid anti-Fox comments here is that none of their authors can do a bloody thing about FNC’s dominance. Nothing. It really is why the Obama back-slappers here and in media are dripping with rabies: Your energy is utterly wasted. But continue with your diatribes anyway; you amuse us.

  • valkyrie101

    When you set yourself up as the opposition media outlet, it is your job to be unimpressed with the majority.

  • paulmdoro

    Dumbest comment from a member of Congress I have heard so far regarding the State of the Union comes from Florida Rep. Jeff Miller: “I don’t think we need the president to remind us how great this country is.”

    Say what?! The President of the United States should not tell people America is great? No other president in the history of this nation has reminded the American people that this is a great country?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dronetek-Bulk-Vanderhuge/100000918732763 Dronetek

    Shocker: Mediaite whines about Fox, while predictably attacking Michele Bachman.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dronetek-Bulk-Vanderhuge/100000918732763 Dronetek
  • timcajun

    I’m in shock, I can’t believe Fox would have anything bad to say about Obama!

  • Jerps

    I read the transcript, and you see a lot of big dreams and goals, but it seems like his previous speeches had big dreams and goals and most of them just don’t happen.

  • mibwilso

    “emarkably against the trend of what the electorate said this November.”???

    Apparently the right-wing commentators seem to forget that the American people had the chance to hand control of the Senate to Republicans too….but they didn’t.

    Yes, the Republicans got the house, but I don’t think it was a call by the American people for a hard right turn.

  • zombietimeshare

    In a related “shocker” the usual suspects in the lame stream press are still in awe of their Messiah.

  • Laurs1

    I don’t think Fox said anything “bad” about Obama. Hume and Krauthammer simply described what was, and it WAS pretty bland and boring. And trite. Obama didn’t seem to care much about what he was saying, probably because he didn’t really mean much of it; and that emptiness seemed to transfer to most who heard him.( The Luntze crowd said it all.) Only the diehards like Kirsten Powers and Juan managed to find it better than it actually was. But it’s tough to give a SOTU speech when you have to avoid the actual state of the union and instead speak about what you think people want to hear. Yawn.

  • ImNotBlue

    Ah, so Colby added “MOSTLY” to the headline to correct his previous BS. (Notice the address of this thread, and notice how “Mostly” doesn’t appear in its address.)

    Of course, I’m not sure how “MOSTLY” applies when you have one host, and two folks on the right, and two folks on the left… I’m pretty sure “MOSTLY” is a synonym for “Majority,” and while my math skills may not be great… I’m pretty sure that 2 vs 2 isn’t a majority.

    Oh well… it’s Mediaite Math!

  • justanotherconservative

    Linda said:
    What else would those idiots think! lol Personally I found it very inspiring and more and more people are not only supporting Obama and his rating are increasing but, more and more are tired of all the lies and propaganda that Fox is so famous for.

    yes and the lamestream media NEVER lies or spews propaganda.

  • writer

    King, if Army has been playing ‘hide the remote’ again, just change the channel at the set.

  • The Real Royal Queen

    The Lantern of Truth said:
    Army wearing his hot pants to the ballet !

    I knew I was missing a pair.

    writer said:
    King, if Army has been playing ‘hide the remote’ again, just change the channel at the set.

    Mmmm. my favorite game.

  • http://www.weethepeeps.com/ MrDrawingguy

    I still wanna know if all the chairs had Obama tshirts on them like at the AZ “memorial” service.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tony-Westover/1496648721 Tony Westover

    All state of the union addresses suck. Obama’s are particularly bad because he’s so self-absorbed and has contempt for the intellect of the unwashed masses. But his aren’t that different from the others.

  • NORBIT

    Colby, when you post “partisan bloggers looking for snark”, are you alluding to the MSNBC audience seeking Olbermann? lol

    The bottom line is that this SOTU address fell short of expectations because more and more people don’t believe or trust this man any more, so it really doesn’t matter too much what he says!

  • CAconservative

    Obimbo had better start looking for another speech writer. His lack of response to the dictates of the voter wishes is spellbinding. Does this idiot think we’re going to swallow his socialist non-sense any more? Does he really believe we’re blind to his transparent run back to the middle? Does anyone really believe that it wouldn’t have been more of the same if the Democrats had continued to hold Congress? It took to years for the conservative-liberals to figure this clown out, and now that they have, their kicking themselves for being so foolish as to have been taken in by empty-slogans and his socialist agenda.

  • http://Mediaite.com uggugg

    Obama’s State Of The Union Speech was spectacular. He was very specific as to the steps he would take to establish unity with Congress in moving Our Country forward. Watch TV, Our Country is already churning forward from policies put into place recently. Look at TV channels like you look at restaurants. Have you ever ate at a restaurant for 5 or 6 years and then found a better one. I guess you kicked yourself for not trying them all about 6 years ago like I did. TV Channels are like restaurants, they serve us some good stuff and some serve up some bad stuff. You really can’t tell the difference until you have tried them all. You get quite an education doing it this way. Like food, it helps you pick out the good stuff and throw away the bad stuff. Try it, you will like it and you will be better informed.

  • http://Mediaite.com uggugg

    If Fox News found Obama’s State Of The Union Speech just OK instead of ‘Flat’ And ‘Uninspired’ I really thing their financier’s would get ticked off and it would be revealed in some of their bonuses. We see news anchors and commentators come and go all the time and I’m sure there is probably a good reason.

  • ImNotBlue

    uggugg said:
    If Fox News found Obama’s State Of The Union Speech just OK instead of ‘Flat’ And ‘Uninspired’ I really thing their financier’s would get ticked off and it would be revealed in some of their bonuses. We see news anchors and commentators come and go all the time and I’m sure there is probably a good reason.

    What in the heck are you talking about?!

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