Ah, Yogi, you like Gordon Brown?

Isn't he Dubya popular at this rate over there?

I was disappointed in the Republicans response. They seem to reiterate the same theme about big government with out putting the role of government in a context that is consistent with what we Americans want the role of government to be. They fail to recognize the following:

Of all the people who voted in the 2000 Presidential election, most voted for a Democrat.

In the 2004 presidential election, the Democrat candidate lost by only 2.5% of the vote. Why? Well, 9/11 probably was responsible for just about all of the 2.5%.

In the 2008 presidential election, the Democratic candidate's margin was 7.2% which is substantial.

Republicans are failing to recognize that the Nation's people are changing politically.

When even FOX NEWS and fellow conservative David Brooks trashes Jindal's speech as being either "childish" or "nilhistic," yeah I would call that response a failure this side of Nancy Pelosi's non-blinking diatribe in 2004.

Olivant, what did you think of the State-of-the-Union-Address-but-not-really in itself?

Under the circumstances, I think it was the best a President could do. How do you express stark realities without being too negative? The degree of his expressed encouragement to us was adequate. While Obama is eloquent, I don't find him inspirational. There are so many people that are looking for a quick fix. That's not going to happen. I predicted elsewhere that unwmployment will hit 10% this year and it's that kind of reality of which the President is aware. So, he can't be too optimistic.

What I took away, which the networks haven't covered, is that Obama is continuing to establish the agenda, and the GOP is having to be reactionist to everything, or argue on the President's own terms of debate.

Remember that stimulus debate? The GOP supposedly had an alternative plan, but whenever their people were on TV regarding the Stimulus, they never presented their plan, but instead went off about the Plan being too much pork, too much spending, not enough tax cuts...

Yeah they won a day or two of media cycle battles by not voting in the House and Senate (save for 3 votes), but who won the war? The President.

You can't just run a campaign on just being against a person or party for the sake of it. The Democrats did that in 2004 with Kerry, and they lost an election they might have possibly won if their nominee had a clear distinct vision of America, and didn't waffle as badly as Kerry.

I thought Obama did an excellent job. Like many have noted, he needed to be forceful and let "everyone" know how serious this crisis is, and at the same time be hopeful. I think he suceeded in both areas. The number of Presidents that are such great orators are few and far between. He's definitely high on the list of those great communicators IMHO.

My fear and/or concern is that too many people from both sides may not realize that IS a serious time for the American people. I just think it'll take a couple years (at least) to see any real progress and think that we Americans are impatient and might not realize this will take time. Then again, if I'm wrong and we do get immediate results, I'll be very very pleased.

TIS

The question is TIS, are we in a recession, or a depression?

For one sucks, but we've been through them. A depression though...

That aint good.

Indeed he is Ronnie!

Obama has already aged in office. He has next to an impossible job.

I thought he looked aged just during his campaign!

He's gonna age alot more with that 4 trillion dollar budget he put out.

Ever notice that when he speaks he turns his head from side to side, but never straight ahead. I could work with that guy.

Proposed $3.5 trillion FY 2010 budget and FY 2009 projected $1.7 trillion deficit. Madonne! When is Jesus coming back?

Speaking of miracles defying science, the Congressional GOP seems to back the President more on the new Iraq plan than his own party.

So yes, the GOP is associating with terrorists.

Some time in April, I think.

2009 is shaping up to be one wacky year. I mean look at that chart above.

We have the most liberal President in over 40 years presenting the most ambitious (or radical, you decide) budget in American history, and after that address on tuesday, his support among the GOP went up 15 points in under a week.

I heard a radio right-winger. He labeled our economic state as "Obama's recession". He said Obama wasn't projecting a positive attitude and he played a composite tape that strung together Obama repeatedly referring to the economic status as "crisis" followed by "catastrophy".

The political right is also labeling the Obama platform as "European Socialism".

Wow, these guys are relentless (I'm mean all politicians in general).

Obama's recession?? Are they KIDDING?? After 35 whole days in office??

Oh, don't be too hard on him... he just came clean in another thread and admitted why he was stuck in Texas.

Does that have anything to do with supply and demand?

You gotta get up pretty oily in the morning to come up with a line like that.

Oh you just had to, didn't you?

"You don't understand. Johnny Fontane never gets that movie. That part is perfect for him, it'll make him a big star, and I'm gonna run him out of the business - and let me tell you why: Johnny Fontane ruined one of Woltz International's most valuable proteges. For three years we had her under contract - singing lessons, dancing lessons, acting lessons. I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was gonna make her a big star. And let me be even more frank, just to show you that I'm not a hard-hearted man, and that it's not all dollars and cents: She was beautiful; she was innocent. She was the greatest piece of ass I've ever had, and I've had it all over the world! And then Johnny Fontane comes along with his olive oil voice and guinea charm, and she runs off. She threw it all away just to make me look ridiculous! And a man in my position can't afford to be made to look ridiculous! No you get the hell out of here. And you tell that gumba that if he wants to try any rough stuff that I ain't no band leader. Yeah, I heard that story. "

I see Obama met Gordon Brown yesterday. I bet Brown broke his neck to be the first European leader to visit Obama

Still they looked pretty chummy sitting together and made all the right noises about the "special relationship" and fixing the economy so all is well!

I heard part of an interview with Brown on NPR radio yesterday. I don't know anything about him really, but after they commented that he probably was hoping to increase his own approval ratings, being with such a popular U.S. President.

Anyway, England surely has been one of our closet allies and I do hope the two can work/agree together on major issues.

TIS

Weird, since the Daily Telegraph (or Mirror, I can't keep up with your country's tabloids-disguised-as-journalism papers) was just bitching about how Obama didn't offer full respect worthy of a visit by a British PM, i.e. a joint press conference, etc.

Then again, wouldn't be shocked if Obama smells blood in the water because unless he pulls something off, Cameron will be the new PM within a year.

Funny that,i always thought Brown was taller

You are right Ron,Brown may not be swanning around with Obama much longer. Cameron is miles ahead in the opinion polls but he is keeping a low profile just now due to the tragic death of his son!

I think I remember hearing about Brown's son's death but only vaguely. How sad that must be.

Btw, he sounded good on the radio. Like I said, I don't know much about him but have heard he is not real popular in the UK. Maybe it's the distinguished English accent, but he sounded fairly decent and like an intelligent person willing to work with the U.S. However, like you say, maybe it's just kissing up hu?



TIS

October 31st 2008

McCain : 40%

Obama : 53%

(7% undecided )


October 31st 2008

Dow Closed at 9325.01


By the end of October of 2008, according to the average election polls, Barack Obama had the largest lead, YTD, in those polls for being elected the next president of the United States Of America.

By the end of October 2008 the Dow Jones Industrial Average had the Worst YTD Record since 1931.



November 5th 2008

The day after Barack Obama won the presidency.

Dow Jones industrial average : down 145.44 points.


February 17, 2009

President Obama sign, into law, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 .

Dow Jones industrial average : down 297.96 points.