A Tale of Two Speeches
It's getting perilously close to the point where I'll agree to vote for Barack Obama in 2012 if he promises not to give a single speech in his second term.
The president's just-concluded East Room remarks were notable only for their superfluousness. There was not a single new concept here -- not even a clever new way of framing the case he's already been making. Instead, we got Obama's greatest hits -- an opening shot at the Bush Administration, endless complaints that the rich aren't paying enough in taxes, and an insistence that he seems to be the only man in Washington capable of rising above the partisan fray.
What was perhaps most tone deaf, however, was that the president spent more time talking about the virtues of spending than the virtues of saving by about a 2 to 1 margin. There was an obligatory nod to the need to cut Washington's expenditures, but it was followed by a spirited defense of current spending levels on everything from green energy to education to infrastructure. And to cap it all off, he had the temerity to say that he wouldn't "bore us" with the details of "specific plans" to address the debt crisis. Sorry, Eddie Haskell, that's not flying. Time to turn in your homework.
Speaker Boehner's speech wasn't exactly electric either (it's hard to see how anything on this topic could have been, in this environment), but it bested Obama's by being workmanlike in all the best ways. Boehner kept it short and direct. He set the stage beautifully by noting that Obama had asked "for the largest debt increase in American history, on the heels of the largest spending binge in American history." He repeatedly tied his message to jobs, while Obama spent his time flitting about trying to defend every spending program in the federal government. And he put the ball back in Obama's court by making clear to the American people that the president would get a debt ceiling increase to sign -- and that any prospect for disaster would thus only come from the president's veto pen.
Boehner is the clear winner here, though I'm not sure either speech will do anything to move the negotiations in one direction or the other. As for Obama, that accomplished orator, he needs to remember a fairly basic principle of presidential speeches: when you ask for 15 minutes of the nation's time, be sure you have something new to tell them.
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Jul '10
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
My wife, who has next to no interest in politics, said that was Obama's best speech ever. From that I conclude it was shaped by focus groups for the independent voter. On the other hand, she said of Boehner's speech: "That was a good one, too." A wash.
Jun '11
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
I agree with Troy's take. After the opening salvo against Bush (if nothing else, Obama is an accomplished debater against President Bush when the former President is not present), my eyes glazed over. I was left wondering why there were so many red chairs in the middle of a hallway.
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
Thanks Troy. I was driving home and caught only Boehner's conclusion live. Then, predictably, the co-hosts on John Batchelor's show told all and sundry that Obama had won the battle of the speeches walking away.
I think the president does better when voters only hear about whatever he just said, rather than actually listening to it for themselves.
Nov '10
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
"Sorry, Eddie Haskell, that's not flying. Time to turn in your homework."
Wish I'd said that.
Dec '10
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
More likely, our historic first Islamic apostate president’s spiel propaganda meister reminded him that by repeating a lie it becomes truth.
He’s also reminding the tribal media to stick with the script: when in trouble, mention slavery.
Jan '11
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
"when you ask for 15 minutes of the nation's time, be sure you have something new to tell them." Our job is to convince people that when he asks for four more years of the nation's time, we will get the same or worse.
Jul '11
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
The Tea Party is guilty of being correct too soon. The media views them as socially inappropriate whereas I view their budget stance as revolutionary fiscal righteousness. Even the RINO's know the debt is non-sustainable.
Obama will successfully blame Bush, rich people, and crackpot Tea Partiers for all the nations woes. The real question will be how bad off we are economically that enough people either wont vote for this giant farce or better yet support a decent GOP candidate.
May '10
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
We are currently packing up house here in the UK to move to retirement in the Philippines. The only blessing in the entire mess of moving is that I do not have time to listen to Obama pontificate. It does appear that our "political leaders" (plus Europe's) are driving us off a fiscal cliff that is going to create a seriously "challenging environment." Those that have not yet protected themselves had best do so.
Jul '10
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
The key motif in this speech was "default." If we don't come to an agreement, we will default. A thinly veiled threat that if no agreement is reached, this Regime will stop servicing the debt in favor of ACORN payoffs, SEIU payoffs, and the rest. Rerouting grandma's check to Bill Aires to cover that fertilizer bill.
No wonder members have been promising a Bill of Impeachment from the House if these guys default. No prior administration would even consider such a strategy. Obama does not show the slightest familiarity with the mechanisms at play, or care. He has to work on his handicap.
Edited on Jul 26, 2011 at 1:07amMar '11
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
You believe any of Mr Obama's promises?
There are a coupla simpler solutions.
1. Don't listen to Mr Obama's speeches. That's what off switches are for.
2. Vote for Glenn Reynold's syphilitic camel in 2012 (though I am hoping we can find a better candidate).
Edited on Jul 26, 2011 at 12:45amSep '10
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
More people are aware of and concerned with the new NFL contract than the debt ceiling. Obama believes shutting down the government enhances his chances of reelection and is laying the ground work for one. Boehner agrees with him and is trying to come up with something that will get through the Senate, reasoning Obama cannot veto something 13+ Democratic Senators have voted for. The American people and the markets view this farce as business as usual. They are all correct.
Apr '11
Re: A Tale of Two Speeches
Instead of watching last night's speech, I spent the time jamming a No. 2 pencil in my ear. I highly recommend it.