Good Job Mr. President

[Conan71]

Thank you for quitting campaigning and starting to build some hope.  

Only took a month, but who's counting with massive layoffs and the markets tanking for weeks.  No matter how long we allow Congress and the President to take to get a plan rolling, chances are it's frought with pitfalls.  I just want to see some American optimism again, that's the most important "tangible" for lots of people right now.

Can't say I agreed with his entire speech, nor with the porkulus plan, but I think he showed some good leadership this evening.

[rwarn17588]

On the other side of the coin ...

Does anyone know whether Bobby Jindal was on some weird meds or something? Was he chugging Marshall's beer with Conan before the speech? He was gawdawful.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

On the other side of the coin ...

Does anyone know whether Bobby Jindal was on some weird meds or something? Was he chugging Marshall's beer with Conan before the speech? He was gawdawful.

Marshall's makes you smarter.  I'm sure it was meds+Marshall.  You know you're never supposed to combine the two!

[RecycleMichael]

I think it was a mistake to have the governor of Louisiana speak on Fat Tuesday...

He sounded like Mr. Rogers.

[kylieosu]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael



He sounded like Mr. Rogers.

LOL! Great comparison.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by kylieosu

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael



He sounded like Mr. Rogers.

LOL! Great comparison.

Yeah, and his body language was a little weird.  he kept moving his arms about in a robotic fashion.

I was out last night and finally did get to see the entire speech.  I was really surprised at how 'bi-partisan' the reaction seemed in comparison to other President's addressing of the joint session, whether is be a SOTU or otherwise.  I heard several of the talking heads mention that same thing spread across all the news networks.  Really strong speech.

But I'm an 'Obama Spooner', so what do I know.

[:O]

[cannon_fodder]

What the hell is with the TW reporting that only $14mil is earmarked for green country from this package?

Each person in the nation kicks in something like $2,800.  Green country has around 1.5mil people.  So we get like $10 per capita?  We got more money from George Kaiser and QT last year.

The article needs to explain that these are the set earmarks and not the total expenditures.  If they are, then I'm going to start shooting.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090225_16_A1_WSIGOm256990

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

What the hell is with the TW reporting that only $14mil is earmarked for green country from this package?

Each person in the nation kicks in something like $2,800.  Green country has around 1.5mil people.  So we get like $10 per capita?  We got more money from George Kaiser and QT last year.

The article needs to explain that these are the set earmarks and not the total expenditures.  If they are, then I'm going to start shooting.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090225_16_A1_WSIGOm256990

Is this the the Omnibus spending bill? It does not sound like the stimulus/spendulus package.

[Conan71]

It's pretty obvious Jindal is at the top of someone's list at the RNC for the '12 POTUS candidate.  He somewhat follows the Obama formula.  Maybe the RNC is finally learning that young political rock stars have mass voter appeal.

For a relative new-comer to the national spotlight, I didn't think he was too bad, but I really don't care for the message of absolutely zero support out of the GOP right now.  I'm not saying that massive deficit spending is a great thing, I don't think the gov't has the entire solution for the current crisis, BUT, I'd like to see just a little "go-along to get-along" at this point.

I'm weary of the shrill partisan politics at all levels of gov't anymore.

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

What the hell is with the TW reporting that only $14mil is earmarked for green country from this package?

Each person in the nation kicks in something like $2,800.  Green country has around 1.5mil people.  So we get like $10 per capita?  We got more money from George Kaiser and QT last year.

The article needs to explain that these are the set earmarks and not the total expenditures.  If they are, then I'm going to start shooting.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090225_16_A1_WSIGOm256990

This article is not about the package just passed, its about the 2009 budget. I was hoping Obama would get rid of the earmarks in this budget. But it seems that both Repubs and Dems cant resist sticking them in.

[cannon_fodder]

So was I dense, or is the article not very clear?  Particularity with the stimulus package being THE topic of discussion.  

On a related note:  I wish an executive would stick to his guns on pork.  GW tried a little, but failed.  Legislators can't really do it - if they do they are just punishing their districts.

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

It's pretty obvious Jindal is at the top of someone's list at the RNC for the '12 POTUS candidate.  He somewhat follows the Obama formula.  Maybe the RNC is finally learning that young political rock stars have mass voter appeal.

For a relative new-comer to the national spotlight, I didn't think he was too bad, but I really don't care for the message of absolutely zero support out of the GOP right now.  I'm not saying that massive deficit spending is a great thing, I don't think the gov't has the entire solution for the current crisis, BUT, I'd like to see just a little "go-along to get-along" at this point.

I'm weary of the shrill partisan politics at all levels of gov't anymore.

I think Obama messed up with the stimulus package. Most economists I have heard say that we need a stimulus that is much larger, that the economy is so large, this will hardly have any effect. Have heard estimates ranging from 5-7 trillion.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, a nod to Republicans concerns about spending too much. Obama went for something far less in the 1trillion dollar range. Then also made a chunk of that tax cuts, which the dems in the house and senate would not likely have done otherwise.

In essence he gave the Republicans what they wanted AND the ability for them to compalain that they were left out of the negotiation process.

This also had 2 other unintended consequences. If Obama had started from a postion of saying we probably needed more, but suggesting 2 or 3 trillion for instance, it would have allowed the Republicans to "negotiate" down to 1 trillion and be able to say "Look we got the spending down." Thus saving face and looking like they were doing at least something. Plus, the dems could have said "We gave up something in the spirit of bipartisanship, etc."  Obamas starting point didnt allow for either side to be able to say those things. The "Art of the Deal" is often just as important as the deal itself. That "Art of the Deal" could have allowed everyone to come out of the situation looking better. Looking like they did their jobs and in the bipartisan manner the nation wants to see. Obama, bungled that opportunity by starting in a "well intentioned" position that didn't allow for hardly any negotiation. It didnt allow the Republicans to look like they were doing or being part of anything at all, nor the Democrats to say they reached across the aisle.

[Sardonicus Rex]

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

On the other side of the coin ...

Does anyone know whether Bobby Jindal was on some weird meds or something? Was he chugging Marshall's beer with Conan before the speech? He was gawdawful.

I kinda felt sorry for him having to give a speech without somebody hopping up and down behind him.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

It's pretty obvious Jindal is at the top of someone's list at the RNC for the '12 POTUS candidate.  He somewhat follows the Obama formula.  Maybe the RNC is finally learning that young political rock stars have mass voter appeal.

For a relative new-comer to the national spotlight, I didn't think he was too bad, but I really don't care for the message of absolutely zero support out of the GOP right now.  I'm not saying that massive deficit spending is a great thing, I don't think the gov't has the entire solution for the current crisis, BUT, I'd like to see just a little "go-along to get-along" at this point.

I'm weary of the shrill partisan politics at all levels of gov't anymore.

I think Obama messed up with the stimulus package. Most economists I have heard say that we need a stimulus that is much larger, that the economy is so large, this will hardly have any effect. Have heard estimates ranging from 5-7 trillion.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, a nod to Republicans concerns about spending too much. Obama went for something far less in the 1trillion dollar range. Then also made a chunk of that tax cuts, which the dems in the house and senate would not likely have done otherwise.

In essence he gave the Republicans what they wanted AND the ability for them to compalain that they were left out of the negotiation process.

This also had 2 other unintended consequences. If Obama had started from a postion of saying we probably needed more, but suggesting 2 or 3 trillion for instance, it would have allowed the Republicans to "negotiate" down to 1 trillion and be able to say "Look we got the spending down." Thus saving face and looking like they were doing at least something. Plus, the dems could have said "We gave up something in the spirit of bipartisanship, etc."  Obamas starting point didnt allow for either side to be able to say those things. The "Art of the Deal" is often just as important as the deal itself. That "Art of the Deal" could have allowed everyone to come out of the situation looking better. Looking like they did their jobs and in the bipartisan manner the nation wants to see. Obama, bungled that opportunity by starting in a "well intentioned" position that didn't allow for hardly any negotiation. It didnt allow the Republicans to look like they were doing or being part of anything at all, nor the Democrats to say they reached across the aisle.

Yeah, he's so naive. Probably never read "the art of the deal". Give them more credit than that Arty.

-He's president, not emperor. Congress and its leaders are part of the picture and negotiations.
-Pubs were going to complain under any scenario and polls show the dissatisfaction of the public with repub reluctance to be bi-partisan.
-A three trillion dollar stimulus would have outraged conservatives and strengthened the position of pubs and painted Dems as out of control. More than three states would have refused the money.

He bungled it so badly that the market jumped, the polls solidified and confidence is increasing. Remember...you're in Okiehoma. It clouds perception.

[Neptune]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Have heard estimates ranging from 5-7 trillion.

Might be only a portion of what's in store.  5-7 trillion in one swoop, that would be more of a revolution than a stimulus.

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

It's pretty obvious Jindal is at the top of someone's list at the RNC for the '12 POTUS candidate.

Typically the "rebuttal" is given by a congressperson, of the minority party.  That they went to a governor, kind of signifies that the minority party in congress couldn't have delivered that speech believably, and with a straight face.  I don't think they wanted Jindal, I don't think they had much choice though.