View Full Version : 2011 State of the Union Address
Hopefully, this year's edition of the SUA thread will go better than last year's.:confused::eek:
Resources
Previous state of the union addresses can be found here <<LINK (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou.php)>>. Note the links to statistical information in the box to the right of the web page.
The White House will broadcast the SUA on the internet here (http://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2011).
As the outcome of the 2012 midterm elections has been compared to the 1982 midterms, one might be interested to see how President Reagan responded in his 1983 SUA here (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=41698).
N.B. The Tiffany Network's regular Tuesday night line up, including The Good Wife, will return on 1 February with new episodes.
State of the Union? It's gonna be a looooooong coupla years.
Damn Dusty, please quit holding back and let us know how you really feel. ;)
Damn Dusty, please quit holding back and let us know how you really feel. ;)
It's gonna be a loooooooooong coupla years.
No, I feel you. It was stated about as clear and direct as it comes. Much appreciated - like fresh air.
State of the Union? It's gonna be a looooooong coupla years.
True, but at least next year is election year. You'd like to think it will keep at least some of them on their toes... :D
How State of the Union became a prom
By Donna Brazile, CNN Contributor
January 25, 2011 8:07 a.m. EST
tzleft.brazile.cnn.jpg
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/01/25/brazile.congress.sit.together/index.html?hpt=T2
* Traditionally, members of Congress sit with their own party at State of the Union
* Members from opposing parties are planning to sit together this year
* Donna Brazile says the Udall family had a role in promoting civility
* It's good for the country that people of different views sit together, she says
Editor's note: Donna Brazile, a CNN contributor and a Democratic strategist, is vice chairwoman for voter registration and participation at the Democratic National Committee, a nationally syndicated columnist and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. She was manager for the Gore-Lieberman presidential campaign in 2000 and wrote "Cooking With Grease."
Washington (CNN) -- It figures it would take the Udall family to bring a touch of good-naturedness to the center of American government and politics -- the U.S. Congress.
Prodded by the tragedy of the Tucson, Arizona, shooting, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colorado, has enthusiastically embraced the centrist idea proposed by Third Way to foster an era of Congressional civility by inviting a Republican to sit with him during the State of the Union.
Though there are no assigned seats, the event traditionally has partisan seating, where one side wildly applauds the president, while those on the other side sit on their hands. Or sometimes yells, "You Lie" or even boos the president of the United States.
The GOP's 2008 presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, announced he will be sitting with Udall's cousin, Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico. McCain told CBS' "Face the Nation," "It might be nice to cut back a little bit on all the jumping up and down," which he likened to a cheerleading rally.
Mark Udall's father and Tom's uncle was the late Rep. Morris Udall, D-Arizona, who the Washington Post called an "immensely witty and universally respected" representative. The good-humored Udall ran for president in 1976 and pundits have not seen the likes of him since the joke-telling Abraham Lincoln ran for office.
What will Obama say in State of Union?
Former speechwriters offer Obama advice
Date of the Union?
State of the date
RELATED TOPICS
* Mark Udall
* Kay Bailey Hutchison
* Joseph Lieberman
* John McCain
* U.S. Congressional Politics
Of course, friction between members of opposing parties has always existed to some degree. Author Carl Sandburg relates the story that Lincoln found himself staying in the same hotel as a Democratic Illinois state senator, one Mason Brayman. Lincoln invited Brayman to join him for dinner.
Admirers of Lincoln, a Republican, stopped by their table. Brayman later told friends, "Lincoln turned half round (and) introduced me as a Democrat, but one so good tempered that he and I 'could eat out of the same rack without a pole between us.' "
Date night for Congress
For more than a few decades, breaking bread together has rarely been common between Republican and Democratic legislators. In fact, they not only do not eat together, they often find it hard to eat in the same room, unless appearing at the Gridiron Dinner.
When I saw Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Connecticut, the other day before his appearance on "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour, I inquired about his date. Lieberman informed me, "Like my prom, I haven't figured it out yet." Later, I suggested calling newly re-elected write-in candidate Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
To date, more than 60 members have signed up to sit next to one of their colleagues from a different party. Democratic New York Sen. Charles Schumer has invited Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who has accepted. While acknowledging that sitting together is symbolic, Schumer added, "Maybe it just sets a tone and everything gets a little bit more civil."
The Udalls' good will has caught on. And the press is having fun, detailing who is sitting with whom, under headlines like: "Who's Got a Date to the State of the Union?" Amanpour, who asked Lieberman about his date, caught Texas GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison off-guard when she asked her this Sunday, "Who's your date?"
"I haven't been there. I don't have a date," Hutchison admitted.
Sen. Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, also on the show, piped up and said, "Kay, I'm available."
No word yet if that invitation was accepted.
"I asked one of my best girlfriends to be my date for the night," Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Louisiana Democrat, told The New York Times. That would be Maine's moderate Republican, Sen. Olympia Snowe. Landrieu suggested they might "triple date" with "really great guys" like Republicans Bob Corker of Tennessee and Johnny Isakson of Georgia.
Even opposite pole senators such as Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Pat Toomey are sitting together as the Pennsylvania delegation. That pattern is also being followed by Illinois' two senators, Richard Durbin and Mark Steven Kirk, and the entire Colorado and Arizona congressional delegations.
Toomey and Casey issued a joint press release, each declaring, "I look forward to working together and hope the bipartisan spirit will continue for all members of Congress."
Former House Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill and President Ronald Reagan would be proud of their heirs -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- for truly demonstrating what civility could look like. We don't all have to agree with each other, but for the good of the country, it's important that we sit together as Americans. After all, this could be good for the country, too.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Donna Brazile.
Damn Dusty, please quit holding back and let us know how you really feel. ;)
Just saw your post, Dusty is outside in the woods hunting right now, thought I'd post a trailer to the SUA, 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a61fPIgJfgs&feature=related
Thanks WD. Just what I needed for lunch break...first this prom night, date night BS and now the Borg...(burp) excuse me...now, as I get back to my fava beans and that lovely Chianti. Maybe if I eat and drink enough I can sleep through tonight's speech. At least we won't have to watch Pelosi Galore jump up and down like a trained seal. This IS going to be a looooooooooong coupla years. ;)
[F]irst this prom night, date night BS[.]Out of curiosity, why do you think it to be 'bs'? Are you generally opposed to American political pageantry?
No secret. I do not particularly care for this administration's political pageantry, propagandists or its policies. Full stop. To each his own. YMMV.
Maybe I'm just sore that I don't have a date for the prom.
No secret. I do not particularly care for this administration's political pageantry, propagandists or its policies. Okay. We agree on this point.
However, the article you posted makes it clear that this initiative is coming from the legislative branch, not the current administration.Prodded by the tragedy of the Tucson, Arizona, shooting, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colorado, has enthusiastically embraced the centrist idea proposed by Third Way to foster an era of Congressional civility by inviting a Republican to sit with him during the State of the Union
Okay. We agree on this point.
However, the article you posted makes it clear that this initiative is coming from the legislative branch, not the current administration.
Oh, well in that case...are you kidding, IMO this is pure theatrical BS - I do not particularity care about who sits next to whom or who thought of it - or who has a date. They sure weren't asking to sit together before the mid-term elections or during that Obamacare fiasco.
Maybe Udall should invite Sarah Palin to sit with him.
Now, where's my fricken date for this prom -- I may have to drink more for this one then back in the day -- but I do expect a similar result. ;)
Oh, well in that case...are you kidding, IMO this is pure theatrical BS - I do not particularity care about who sits next to whom or who thought of it - or who has a date. They sure weren't asking to sit together before the mid-term elections or during that Obamacare fiasco.
Maybe Udall should invite Sarah Palin to sit with him.
Now, where's my fricken date for this prom -- I may have to drink more for this one then back in the day -- but I do expect a similar result. ;)No, I'm not kidding.
While I am somewhat snarky, I do not think it is wise to let cynicism get in the way of acknowledging and encouraging a change in behavior--especially when that change is one I've been wanting for years. (That is, a resurgence of institutional political identity among members of congress.)
As we get ever closer to the 2012 election cycle, I think it is time to start thinking about how we're going to discuss politics and policies with our fellow citizens who do not agree with us. In those types of discussions, how far are snark and a dismissive tone going to go in getting people to reconsider their viewpoints?
No, I'm not kidding.
In those types of discussions, how far are snark and a dismissive tone going to go in getting people to reconsider their viewpoints?
Guess I'm fucked.
:D
Generally, I prefer substance over form - let me see meaningful change in behavior (and I'll date Nancy Pelosi, nah).
I prefer results over pageantry - show me the results and they can have all the proms that they want.
Never underestimate the value of good old fashioned cynicism.
I appreciate your concerns but I think we'll all be able to communicate our ideas just fine by election season no matter who sits next to whom. IME, some folks can never be reached and I accept that.
YMMV.
Guess I'm fucked.
:D
Kinda brings a tear to my eye - after all it is prom night. ;)
I am liking more of the POTUS words than I thought. Unfortunately words are just words with him. Somehow I doubt they will be turned into action. But I can always hope!
Transcript: BHO's 2011 State Of The Union Address
http://www.npr.org/2011/01/25/133224933/transcript-obamas-state-of-union-address
Richard :munchin
I am liking more of the POTUS words than I thought. Unfortunately words are just words with him. Somehow I doubt they will be turned into action. But I can always hope!
He does give good speech.
This is the only speech I've watched of his. Same went for Clinton, I just couldn't force myself to watch any of his.
Seems to me he's following in the footsteps of Carter.
Texas_Shooter
01-25-2011, 21:33
He does give good speech.
His speechwriter gives a good speech. I liked the part about letting recruiters on campus. I think that if the school excepts federal money that, that is a must.
I watched with great interest, his exit. I could not believe how he snub Hilary Clinton, he was within a foot of her, she extended her hand and he turned away towards others on his left, as if he did not see her. On returning to her position, he stood right in front of her conversing with others over his right shoulder and walk away.
My Prediction: She soon gone.
His speechwriter gives a good speech.Precisely what parts of tonight's speech were the president's and which parts were his speech writer's?
I watched with great interest, his exit. I could not believe how he snubbed Hilary Clinton, he was within a foot of her, she extended her hand and he turned away towards others on his left, as if he did not see her. On returning to her position, he stood right in front of her conversing with others over his right shoulder and walk away.
My Prediction: She soon gone.I missed that part. However, my jaw hit the ground when the president snubbed John L. Lewis.
Texas_Shooter
01-25-2011, 21:42
Precisely what parts of tonight's speech were the president's and which parts were his speech writers?
The whole thing was the speechwriter. But at the same time pretty much every president has someone write his speeches. But he definitely could not live without the teleprompter. He stares at the thing.
Peregrino
01-25-2011, 21:59
Personally - I love DirectTV. The wife and I spent the evening productively - watching RED. Couldn't see risking the 52" HDTV we just bought for Christmas. Certainly didn't want to see his face "theater sized" in my den.
Texas_Shooter
01-25-2011, 22:01
Personally - I love DirectTV. The wife and I spent the evening productively - watching RED. Couldn't see risking the 52" HDTV we just bought for Christmas. Certainly didn't want to see his face "theater sized" in my den.
LOL
The whole thing was the speechwriter. But at the same time pretty much every president has someone write his speeches. But he definitely could not live without the teleprompter. He stares at the thing.FWIW, Robert Schlesinger offered the following take on presidential speech writers. (Source is here (http://www.whitehouseghostsbook.com/author.html).)
Q: Who really "owns" the words of a presidential speech - the president or the speechwriter?
A: A president has ownership of his speeches. Tracing the origins of famous phrases and measuring a president's involvement in speech composition can be both entertaining and illuminating. But ultimately it is the president who gives the speech and lends his office's authority to its words - and so must get credit or approbation for what he says.
Generally, I prefer substance over form - let me see meaningful change in behavior (and I'll date Nancy Pelosi, nah).
I prefer results over pageantry - show me the results and they can have all the proms that they want.
Never underestimate the value of good old fashioned cynicism.
I appreciate your concerns but I think we'll all be able to communicate our ideas just fine by election season no matter who sits next to whom. IME, some folks can never be reached and I accept that.
YMMV.
Corporations - Stock share value - CEO behavior - who care's who he's banging as long as the stock performs - grab the office secretary by the ass - (male or female you can do that now), stains on blue dresses. When the economy is good, people forget personal behaviors. When things begin to faulter, Enron, Qwest, WorldCom, etc., when politicians and corp., executives start running with bonuses, it is the people that suffer.
Presidents set the tone for the nation. Obama may be a good public speaker, only because he has good speach writers. When on his own, he fails. When Reagan and Kennedy spoke, people knew the level of commitment, understanding and idealogies of the man. The world listened also, (Cuba, Russia, Iran). America was respected because it's leader was plain spoken, commited to a cause.
When Robin Williams, George Carlin or Dennis Miller spoke on stage, they talked using their own words, messages were delivered and understood, in kind the listening audience was "moved". No one ever left the theatre thinking, "that guys an idiot".
I hope Obama keeps leaving his platform, keeps moving from left to center or even right. He might end up being more like Clinton. He wants a second term even if he has to leave the ones who put him there for the first.
It was mentioned, Obama is beginning to sound like Carter, I hope that was meant to be "one term", but unless a candidate can rise early enough to let the nation know who he/she is, convey ideas and message, then look to have another 4 years with this guy.
I watched with great interest, his exit. I could not believe how he snub Hilary Clinton, he was within a foot of her, she extended her hand and he turned away towards others on his left, as if he did not see her. On returning to her position, he stood right in front of her conversing with others over his right shoulder and walk away.
My Prediction: She’s soon gone.
Oh, the Speech, I think I maybe the only member here (or who admits the fact) that donated to his campaign. Therefore, I have a legitimate right to critique the SUA, seeing as am partly responsible for his being there, unless of course you did not vote, then you may be culpable too; now where was I, oh yes the speech. Wow, you have to admire the delivery, I immediately thought of JFK, an equally impressive orator capable of working with substandard material, but I was not hood winked for a second.
Another prediction: Health care bill is not rescinded.
Jobs-they are gone, not to return for a generation and will surface along with the industries. If you fail to capitalize on an educational opportunities-forgetabboutit you be done workin anyways.
Military reform, I don’t see the mine shaft patrons hustling up 7th avenue any time soon looking to enlist, although no queen would ever put a white shirt and black tie together with blue gold formal wear, and I mean never!!! So there may be an upside(no pun intended) there, but who knows?
Spending and cuts? Did any of those power elites look worried to you? Me neither.
One other Prediction: BHO is reelected, Final answer.
One other Prediction: BHO is reelected, Final answer.FWIW, that depressing thought also crossed my mind.
It also occurred to me how lucky the GOP is that the president did not give this SUA last year.
Tonight, the president gave tonight that he's figuring it out. While I doubt that the light will ever go on completely, he may figure it out enough of it to get re-elected.
(The 'it' is the power of American exceptionalism. And for the light to go on completely, one must truly believe in it.)
Whatever happens in 2012, Congress needs to pass a law tomorrow forbidding the forty fourth president from having his presidential papers and museum in Chicago. The cost over runs due to the unions and local political shenanigans will be astronomical.
With each applause, I heard,...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAHjsAnTd4&feature=related
Texas_Shooter
01-26-2011, 03:36
Instead of going after discretionary spending (DOD spending), Congress should really look at cutting the Mandatory Spending and entitlements (Farm Subsidies). Why is it that Sec Def Gates is the only one looking into his department to make the big cuts to save the US money? Why aren't other department heads looking to cut spending? Do not raise the debt ceiling. Do not further the United States in to hole that it can not dig itself out of. Maybe the Republicans can get some work done.
Instead of going after discretionary spending (DOD spending), Congress should really look at cutting the Mandatory Spending and entitlements (Farm Subsidies). Why is it that Sec Def Gates is the only one looking into his department to make the big cuts to save the US money? Why aren't other department heads looking to cut spending? Do not raise the debt ceiling. Do not further the United States in to hole that it can not dig itself out of. Maybe the Republicans can get some work done.
IMO The SecDef is a one in one million type bureaucrat. I don't think we'll be seeing anyone else as good for some time.
As for the speech, if the President actually uses his pocket veto on 'anything that comes across his desk with earmarks' he'll be the first one to do it in history.
With each applause, I heard,...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAHjsAnTd4&feature=related
I hear it every news cycle...
I didnt watch because it is all bullshit anyway.
It is uplifting to see other shared those sentiments and found more useful things to do with there time.
I am sick of seeing politicans blow sunshine up my ass and expect me to believe it.
It's the Music Man routine.....Obama would have done well in Robert Prestons role.
The economy is in the toilet and not getting better.
We have a couple jolts left in the defibrillators before we flat line..................
They just don't get it.
They don't care. The will play the game until there is nothing left and then initiate their EVAC plan where they will live a life of luxury in exile.
One other Prediction: BHO is reelected, Final answer.
Maybe the Final Solution for the American problem...
I dearly hope I am wrong but it seems like Washinton is playing the fiddle while the country burns.
Don't we all. BE PREPARED: Lawn chair, cooler for of beer and trusty dog.
How much of our tax dollars did the little shindig tonight cost?
Ahh it is nothing to worry about......They just printed some more to make it happen. Besides it was borrowed money from China, so it really wasn't our Tax Dollars.
Now for days upon days critical review and regurgitation on the State of Confusion Address and WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE COUNTRY.......Tune in tomorrow, Same Bat Time, Same bat Channel.
I thought it was the ideal speech for a serving POTUS who alienated himself with an Alinsky-based agenda and so must ingratiate himself to the center in order to save his political ass in less than two years.
One other Prediction: BHO is reelected, Final answer.
African-Americans would have to make up a much larger percentage of the voting bloc for that to happen-it's the only one that'll still probably be over 90% in his bucket.
I'll take a wild-ass guess, too.
Not only is Obama not reelected, but the Repubs will control Congress, with many of the rest of the RINOs getting the boot.
Obama's been outed for what he truthfully is- a far leftwing extremist. He can't cammie that up anymore, and he scared a bunch of "normal" people with the failed stimulus and the health care debacle. The cat's outta the bag.
It's Romney, Rubio, Christie-somebody who's a true Centrist's turn-although what the Country is starving for IMO is a Reagan Conservative.
Obama may try to do what BJ Clinton did by appealing to the center, but he buried himself way more deeply in his leftist hole than did WJC.
I was actually hoping to see Obama stand his ground so that the farcical nightmare would end quicker, but he basically just turned the whole trip into a long con by "bowing" to the Repubs.
Gonna be a long coupla years.
..............I was actually hoping to see Obama stand his ground so that the farcical nightmare would end quicker, but he basically just turned the whole trip into a long con by "bowing" to the Repubs.
Gonna be a long coupla years.
To the Prez Bipartisanship means doing what "I" want.
The Lamestream Media will hammer the Republicans on anything they try and do, the RINOs will want to be loved by the press, the D's and the RINOs will find middle ground - that spends more money, all the sacred cows continue to munch on government grass and a few programs - like defense - get hammered so they all can say "We did something".
The Tea Party takes out a few more RINOs in the primary - and are more hated by the Republican Leadership for it.
Obama blaims everything on the Republicans, the Lamestream Media beats the drum for Obama and he's reelected - along with the D's getting a few seats back in both houses.
2015 - Obama still blames Bush for all the country's troubles.
Just keep kickin' the can down the road.
Geeeez, it's going to be a long 6 years.
I thought it was the ideal speech for a serving POTUS who. . .must ingratiate himself to the center in order to save his political ass in less than two years.At times, it seemed that the president picked the oddest way to find the center in that he voiced preferences that both Republicans and Democrats found distasteful, for example high speed rail. African-Americans would have to make up a much larger percentage of the voting bloc for that to happen-it's the only one that'll still probably be over 90% in his bucket.I augur that the president will do well with union workers and urbanists.
I suspect that his popularity among African Americans should not be taken for granted. I wonder if the GOP will figure out in the coming months ways to stop pushing African American voters away.Gonna be a long coupla years.Hopefully, not as long as the previous two.
I suspect that his popularity among African Americans should not be taken for granted. I wonder if the GOP will figure out in the coming months ways to stop pushing African American voters away.Hopefully, not as long as the previous two.
That's just one issue the GOP had better wake up to, although I would assume many African-Americans prolly realize his "stash" just isn't there for them to dig into as they thought prior to voting in 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x5wCxxUX7M&feature=related
One other Prediction: BHO is reelected, Final answer.
I can't figure out how you came to that conclusion.
The only thing I have to go by is polls and conversation with other voters, and neither lead me to believe he'll be reelected.
His inexperience and inability to govern are obvious to every thinking American; can you imagine how many voters utterly regret having hung a chad for this man in '08?
Look, he's the POTUS. We have to back him up as CinC-hell, I'd for sure take a bullet for the man because of his job-but the majority of the Country has been made aware of the fact that his ideas just don't cut it.
With all respect, Penn, I'd have to disagree that he'll be reelected.
PedOncoDoc
01-27-2011, 05:45
His inexperience and inability to govern are obvious to EVERY THINKING American...
...With all respect, Penn, I'd have to disagree that he'll be reelected.
The problem with your argument, in my opinion, is that our current president never appealed to logic or thought - he capitalized on emotion. He's not campaigning to the thinking Americans - he knows they are too small of a demographic to require his attention.
The problem with your argument, in my opinion, is that our current president never appealed to logic or thought - he capitalized on emotion. He's not campaigning to the thinking Americans - he knows they are too small of a demographic to require his attention.
I agree, with regard to the election. I'm referring to the re-election.
Every American who voted for him has had two years to think about it.
Shouts of "caveat emptor!" obviously failed to prevent his election during the Hope and Change campaign because of emotion; 24 months of reality has enabled buyer's remorse to set in.
PedOncoDoc
01-27-2011, 06:00
I agree, with regard to the election. I'm referring to the re-election.
Every American who voted for him has had two years to think about it.
Shouts of "caveat emptor!" obviously failed to prevent his election during the Hope and Change campaign because of emotion; 24 months of reality has enabled buyer's remorse to set in.
I hope your right, Dusty, but I'm not as confident/optimistic of the voting public at large as you are.
I hope your right, Dusty, but I'm not as confident/optimistic of the voting public at large as you are.
Well, Doc, it's either hope for the best and keep on pluggin', or curl up in the fetal under a tree and suck my thumb until the leaves cover me up.
:D
craigepo
01-27-2011, 08:37
Yesterday, I talked politics with a guy who is very in-the-know on Missouri politics. His take was that the 2012 election cycle will be very different from 2010. Think 1994, Republicans take the Congress; 1996, Clinton beats Dole in one of the most disturbing votes this country has ever produced. Also, American voters have very short memories. The far left will not vote Republican, so every time Obama shifts toward the center, he picks up independent votes, which gets him closer to re-election.
On a side note, I think Paul Ryan is one of the top politicians in the country. I think he may be one of the few dudes in D.C. that has the brainpower on economic topics to come up with a workable plan to lead us out of this recession.
American voters have very short memories. The far left will not vote Republican, so every time Obama shifts toward the center, he picks up independent votes, which gets him closer to re-election.
Agreed, but wouldn't that be "...seems to shift toward the center..."?
I suspect that the POTUS will be reelected. I don't like that conclusion, but the markets are up and some segments of the economy hint at recovery. If the current administration can keep things together - albeit with chewing gum and baling wire - then people will vote their pocketbooks and retain him.
With control of the House, the Republicans are in the difficult position where the administration can claim credit for anything that turns out well and shift blame when it turns out badly. Worse, the Republicans are pressing for spending cuts - which, while they may be the right medicine, will never be popular with voters.
The only real possibility for a change in the administration is an economic melt-down. That may happen, but for now the trend is up.
I suspect that the POTUS will be reelected. I don't like that conclusion, but the markets are up and some segments of the economy hint at recovery.
That's because with a non-Dem House, people have a smidgen of confidence.
Texas_Shooter
01-27-2011, 13:08
That's because with a non-Dem House, people have a smidgen of confidence.
Very true. IMO I believe that this Congressional session will be more gridlock in the Senate. The public will get tired of the Democrats even more and will elect more Republican Senators and put a Republican back in the White House.
RE: Post #50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCDoBvG1HoI
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Sadly, I think the social and political realities are more driven in accordance with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkRIbUT6u7Q
The film from which it comes has an unfortunate end - hardly surprising when all other values are subordinated to gain.
Agreed, but wouldn't that be "...seems to shift toward the center..."?
Yes, to anyone who has a working brain.