For those who watched both the State of the Union address and the Democratic response, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius likely connected with more viewers than President Bush did. While Bush went through a list of issues he wants Congress to work on, several of which have no chance for progress before he leaves office, Sebelius appealed to a “new American majority†that is tired of leaders who ask nothing of us. Sebelius called for a focus on the common good and repeatedly urged everyone to “get to work.†Sebelius isn’t an exciting orator, but she did well this time.
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50 Comments
What did Sebelius offer anymore than Obama?
“Please work with us Mr President! We want to work with you even though you and yours are going into political obscurity. Yeah you and your party have been absolute bastards but… we can work with you!”
To hell with that.
bush issued edicts. Sebelius and Obama want to work with the people who have run roughshod over America.
Unh uh.
The GOP has had it’s way these last 14 years.
Pelosi has to go. Reid too. That will happen after the next election. A lot of us are damn tired of being trickled down on. The right is scared and it is time to fulfill all their worst fears.
She said more in 5 min. than bush did in an hour! I thought he’d never shut up. His statements have been discredited so many times, it’d been redundant for Sebelius to attempt to correct them all yet again.
You are correct Phillip. But she hit a HOMERUN tonight.
I agree Phantom… totally!!
And he tried VERY hard to avoid saying Nukuler
An endorsement for Obama tomorrow? May be likely…
Home run?
All due respect Steven.
Kathy bunted. Or punted.
We have a real opportunity here. A chance to bury the forces of corruption and greed for a generation.
Let’s not let them up when they are on their knees.
Both speeches were mediocre, at best. Bush’s was what was expected in a last SOTU; Sebelius said little, with nice platitudes - a “new American majority” who’s ready to “get to work.”
What does that mean?
Kinda like campaigning on “hope and change.” That’s a wish, not a policy.
You’ve got to be kidding! She said nothing of importance. Same old rhetoric, speaking in generalities and platitudes. Again expressing the idea that non-partisanship is doing everything the DemLibs want to do. She again showed she is nothing but a pretty skirt, at least some say so, and says nothing and does nothing of any importance. Lets hope the rest of Kansas and the country have now come to realize that after her dribble tonight.
GMC
Issues “divide” people.
Better to just talk nice, then do what you want when you get into office.
Phillip, take note: This time, last year, you thought Bush was a lame duck.
After Bush got pretty much what he wanted, on Iraq, SEVERAL times, you no longer say that, do you?
Oh, it would be funny if Kathleen endorses Obama, tomorrow.
Wow, she will have NATIONAL media, 2 days in a row. How could she miss her chance? No way she will be VP under Hillary. NOW is her chance.
Seems like democrats from across the country were not as impressed as her adoring kansas fan club.
Interesting comments here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×4257131
Glad you are here farmgrrl.
Kathy?
I do not want to and will not work with such as paulthecon.
We need to crush that bigot slime into the dirt where he belongs.
She will endorse Obama tomorrow. Bet on it.
However…
seems like some REAL democrats prefered Biden’s response to governor “leadership’s” DLC/reid and pelosi approved pablum.
The comments here are priceless…
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2784087
JR -
I Laugh.
You are just like “paulthecon,” or at least just like the caricature you portray here. Mirror image. Peas in a pod. Yin and Yang. You need him, the endless target of an undefined and wandering hate. It’ll destroy you, if you continue to nurture it.
Adults recognize that other persons of good will may have legitimate disagreements, and form compromises where possible, battle when necessary. The immature feel the need to demonize those they disagree with, to pick at every slight, real or imagined, to attack every statement.
Which one typically represents your writing?
If you represent “democrats,” JR, Republicans have little to worry about. Elections come and go; win or lose in November, we’ll still be here, longterm. Each party needs the other to check its excesses - and each party has demonstrated, amply, that they are fully capable of excesses.
(chortles)
Thanks for that link, KFG… I went to the kitchen too soon to make coffee… missed Biden… now I got to hear him!! Wonderful!!
Well, Good night; Good luck;
God bless, whatever you conceive God to be!
Blessings All!!
GMC
I have respected you maybe more than you deserve.
I am not one bit like paulthecon. Save our hatred for one another.
I don’t lie as paul does.
“Adults recognize that other persons of good will may have legitimate disagreements, and form compromises where possible, battle when necessary.”
Oh you will never find me battling unfairly GMC. That is the province of the side you have chosen.
Where was YOUR side’s compromise these last many years? Karl Rove wanted to marginalize Democrats out of government. Now, when the reverse is happening, you want to appeal to my better nature and good will?
Thanks, no.
And you speak of party excesses. Well yours is to get the rich richer. Mine is to aid the suffering. You do the math on current events.
On your side of things, you are scared GMC. And you should be. The excess you and yours have freely exercised is about to bite you in the ass.
Don’t play to those who have suffered to afford you. Beg their forgiveness that they are more compassionate than you and yours.
JR -
Giggle. You’re always good for a laugh, JR.
None are so blind as they who will not see.
I gotta go with JR on this one.
WTF did Greensburg have to do with the price of tea in China?
“We ask you, Mr. President, to join us.”
(In the trembling, finger pointing rage of Lewis Black) “are you f***ing kidding me?”
Mr. President, I ask you to take a flying f***.
Seibelius, what a yawner . . .
You too, GMC.
Cram it, clown.
Watching Bush for a full 45 minutes just makes me feel stupider.
Without my good friend, Jack Daniels, to keep me company, I think I would have had to kick in the TV . . .
Thanks Capn.
Goodnight and whistle past the grave yard GMC.
Your and your party’s only prayer is my party’s compassion and diplomacy.
I’d like to fact-check that POSOTU.
My feeling is that 80 percent was meaningless drivel — “we honor the sacrifice of our troops, every child should have a good education, we need a plan for energy independence.”
25 percent was lies, half-truth and spin — “we have increased the size and scope of Pell Grants.” Actually, they cut them. “Judges should get an up or down vote.” Unless of course, that judge is named Harriet Miers. “I will veto any bill with earmarks.” Seven years after I signed about two hundred bills with earmarks.
About 5 percent might actually have been true. But then again, those true statements might have been accidents.
Law of averages says that occasionally Bush has to utter something that isn’t a lie or bull$hit, just from random chance.
waah waah waah
FactWatch: Extending the Bush Tax Cuts
From the speech:
“We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800.”
Analysis:
The president’s use of averages is misleading and masks who actually benefits most from his tax cuts. The Citizens for Tax Justice estimate that the middle 20 percent of Americans will receive 11 percent of the Bush tax cuts between 2001 and 2010, while the top 1 percent will receive 36 percent. That means the middle 20 percent would lose about $540 a year in tax breaks if the Bush tax cuts are not renewed. The top 1 percent would lose an average of $34,000 a year.
- John Ydstie
10:08 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post
FactWatch: The Economy
From the speech:
“As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future.”
Analysis:
President Bush acknowledged the economy faces difficulties, but glossed over the seriousness of the problem. Some economists believe the U.S. is already in recession. The situation in the housing market is especially difficult. Today, the Commerce Department reported a record drop in new home sales in 2007 — they fell more than 26 percent. As a result of the bursting of the housing bubble, millions of Americans face foreclosure and could lose their homes. The troubles in the U.S. housing market have spread to the rest of the world through complicated securities that included subprime U.S. mortgages. There is fear that ultimately the global economy could fall into recession.
- John Ydstie
10:00 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post
FactWatch: Intelligence Surveillance
From the speech:
“One of the most important tools we can give them is the ability to monitor terrorist communications. To protect America, we need to know who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they are planning. Last year, the Congress passed legislation to help us do that. Unfortunately, the Congress set the legislation to expire on Feb. 1. This means that if you do not act by Friday, our ability to track terrorist threats would be weakened and our citizens will be in greater danger. The Congress must ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted. The Congress must pass liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the efforts to defend America. We have had ample time for debate. The time to act is now.”
Analysis:
The Protect America Act, passed by Congress last August, expires on Feb. 1. That legislation expanded powers available to the administration under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, especially with respect to the monitoring of electronic communication (e-mails, for example) between suspected terrorists who are outside the United States but whose communications pass through switching networks in U.S. territory. Under existing legislation, the attorney general has to certify that the surveillance meets the legal conditions. Those certifications will not expire on Feb. 1. There will be no disruption of current monitoring. The wiretapping can continue regardless of what Congress does. It is true, however, that the executive branch will not be able to make new certifications and therefore open new surveillance cases.
- Tom Gjelten
9:54 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post
FactWatch: Freedom Agenda
From the speech:
“Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace. In the last seven years, we have witnessed stirring moments in the history of liberty. We have seen citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up for their right to free and fair elections. We have seen people in Lebanon take to the streets to demand their independence. We have seen Afghans emerge from the tyranny of the Taliban to choose a new president and a new parliament. We have seen jubilant Iraqis holding up ink-stained fingers and celebrating their freedom. And these images of liberty have inspired us.”
Analysis:
President Bush often talks about what he calls his “freedom agenda” in the Middle East, arguing the U.S. relied on a false stability in the region in the past. But the democracy agenda took a hit when Hamas, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, won elections in the Palestinian territories two years ago and when the Muslim Brotherhood made gains in elections in Egypt before that. The president never mentions those elections, though the U.S. had been encouraging both votes to take place. The president has also toned down his criticism of key Arab allies. When he met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and other leaders during a recent swing through the Middle East, Bush did not openly criticize anyone’s rule, but rather gently nudged for reforms and talked about the long term rather than the near term.
- Michele Kelemen
FactWatch: Extending the Bush Tax Cuts
From the speech:
“We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800.”
Analysis:
The president’s use of averages is misleading and masks who actually benefits most from his tax cuts. The Citizens for Tax Justice estimate that the middle 20 percent of Americans will receive 11 percent of the Bush tax cuts between 2001 and 2010, while the top 1 percent will receive 36 percent. That means the middle 20 percent would lose about $540 a year in tax breaks if the Bush tax cuts are not renewed. The top 1 percent would lose an average of $34,000 a year.
- John Ydstie
10:08 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post
FactWatch: The Economy
From the speech:
“As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future.”
Analysis:
President Bush acknowledged the economy faces difficulties, but glossed over the seriousness of the problem. Some economists believe the U.S. is already in recession. The situation in the housing market is especially difficult. Today, the Commerce Department reported a record drop in new home sales in 2007 — they fell more than 26 percent. As a result of the bursting of the housing bubble, millions of Americans face foreclosure and could lose their homes. The troubles in the U.S. housing market have spread to the rest of the world through complicated securities that included subprime U.S. mortgages. There is fear that ultimately the global economy could fall into recession.
- John Ydstie
Hmmm . . .
FactWatch: Extending the Bush Tax Cuts
From the speech:
“We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800.”
Analysis:
The president’s use of averages is misleading and masks who actually benefits most from his tax cuts. The Citizens for Tax Justice estimate that the middle 20 percent of Americans will receive 11 percent of the Bush tax cuts between 2001 and 2010, while the top 1 percent will receive 36 percent. That means the middle 20 percent would lose about $540 a year in tax breaks if the Bush tax cuts are not renewed. The top 1 percent would lose an average of $34,000 a year.
- John Ydstie
10:08 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post
FactWatch: The Economy
From the speech:
“As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future.”
Analysis:
President Bush acknowledged the economy faces difficulties, but glossed over the seriousness of the problem. Some economists believe the U.S. is already in recession. The situation in the housing market is especially difficult. Today, the Commerce Department reported a record drop in new home sales in 2007 — they fell more than 26 percent. As a result of the bursting of the housing bubble, millions of Americans face foreclosure and could lose their homes. The troubles in the U.S. housing market have spread to the rest of the world through complicated securities that included subprime U.S. mortgages. There is fear that ultimately the global economy could fall into recession.
- John Ydstie
. . .
FactWatch: Extending the Bush Tax Cuts
From the speech:
“We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800.”
Analysis:
The president’s use of averages is misleading and masks who actually benefits most from his tax cuts. The Citizens for Tax Justice estimate that the middle 20 percent of Americans will receive 11 percent of the Bush tax cuts between 2001 and 2010, while the top 1 percent will receive 36 percent. That means the middle 20 percent would lose about $540 a year in tax breaks if the Bush tax cuts are not renewed. The top 1 percent would lose an average of $34,000 a year.
- John Ydstie
10:08 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post
FactWatch: The Economy
From the speech:
“As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future.”
Analysis:
President Bush acknowledged the economy faces difficulties, but glossed over the seriousness of the problem. Some economists believe the U.S. is already in recession. The situation in the housing market is especially difficult. Today, the Commerce Department reported a record drop in new home sales in 2007 — they fell more than 26 percent. As a result of the bursting of the housing bubble, millions of Americans face foreclosure and could lose their homes. The troubles in the U.S. housing market have spread to the rest of the world through complicated securities that included subprime U.S. mortgages. There is fear that ultimately the global economy could fall into recession.
- John Ydstie
FactWatch: Extending the Bush Tax Cuts
From the speech:
“We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800.”
Analysis:
The president’s use of averages is misleading and masks who actually benefits most from his tax cuts. The Citizens for Tax Justice estimate that the middle 20 percent of Americans will receive 11 percent of the Bush tax cuts between 2001 and 2010, while the top 1 percent will receive 36 percent. That means the middle 20 percent would lose about $540 a year in tax breaks if the Bush tax cuts are not renewed. The top 1 percent would lose an average of $34,000 a year.
- John Ydstie
Those who do not see the coming tide will be washed aside and left to the muck and mire of their stance.
Fighting quicksand and sunk by the very things that they grasp to in their attempt to stay afloat.
To long have they held to them, while the tide is turning against the sea in which they have been adrift in.
OH mores the pity, they once good and true in their believes they find themselves alone more and more each day. They do not recognize they are swimming against the tide, rather wishing to stay in place.
These people who know which way the tide flows are the seeds that once grew into the strongest of Nations.
And will again no matter how those that cling to their baggage swim against the prevailing tides.
The hand offer is rejected and not seen as a hand but as a weapon. More the pity in deed! They would know no peace in their lives for to them peace is hollow and can not fill the hollowness of their being. They choose to surrender the title in favor of the lesser ones of CON AND LIB.
Ok, where are you getting your rhetoric, because I’ve heard the word “platitude” now by others on other blogs who are practically illiterate, more in relation to this speech than I’ve ever seen the word used ever. Let me guess, Faux Noise?
She did well from my perspective. It was the first time I saw her on TV. She has a good future in the party and I still think that, if Obama can pull this off, she will be seriously considered for the VP spot.
The Guv looked nice and spoke nice and didn’t say anything too partisan or controversial. Just like usual. Nice.
Sebelius’s speaking ability gives rise to the market of no-doze pills and caffeine stimulants.
“Kathy bunted.”
Didn’t you know:
a bunt against W. = a grand slam
because I’ve heard the word “platitude” now by others on other blogs who are practically illiterate
My teachers all said I was illiterate, but i told them I could prove my parents were married–maybe not to each other, but married.
“because I’ve heard the word “platitude” now by others on other blogs who are practically illiterate”
My teachers all said I was illiterate, but I told them I could prove my parents were married–not to each other, but married!
“The last five years have cost us dearly - in lives lost, in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same, in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere,” she said. “America’s foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies.”
That paragraph just about summed up the last 7 yrs, except for the doubling of the Nat.debt.
Kathy did not impress me and thought she was dead in the same old montone. My grandson a freshman debating can do better than that. We are war with terrorist never ever for get that. What resources did we waste at home more free money and social programs. Regardless of what she had to say I knew our liberal Wichita Eagle would give her an A. Would any body want to dispute that.
Strange you mention debate, george. Missed the speeches, but read guv’s response. It reminded me of canned rebuttals used in HS debate tourneys.
Was anything even germane to Shrub’s speech? I learned long ago listening to him is a waste of time.
I have never been able to listen to one of Bush’s SOTU addresses. Just hearing his voice makes me angry. I don’t know what it is about him, but I never trusted him, didn’t understand why or how he was elected, and was so pissed when he got reelected. Actually, I didn’t trust him because he proved to be untrustworthy. I guess what I never understood was how SO MANY PEOPLE were conned by him.
TDT- I agree. My only comment made during Shrubspeak performances is “Thank God there are Law&Order reruns!”.
Juvenile
I do not hate you or anyone else.
I pitty you.
You are obviously miserable.
By the way, there are, litterally, millions of people who agree with me, in this country. I am clearly in the mainstream of political thought.
Those who agree with you? Well, I am guessing they could all fit, rather well, in a small stadium.
The ironic thing is, my views would be the same, even if I were alone.
You are the one who childishly seeks affirmation from politics, not me.
Kitty contributed nothing. She said nothing. No remarkable, or historically memorial words.
Zip. Nada. Nothing.
A couple of comments of the SOTU address and Governor Sebelius’ rebuttal……….
Regardless of party affiliation, as a country, we need to move past the Rovian political gamesmanship and proceed for the betterment of the country as a whole.
I thought the Bush speech was incredible in it’s disconnect with reality. George is truly living in the land of make believe.
Governor Sebelius only had ten minutes to rebut the Bush fairy tale - obviously, she could not go down the road of a point by point rebuttal or even express specific proposals from the Democrats.
I thought the Bush SOTU address was about par for his presidency, from bad to worse to WTF.
Sebelius took the moment to encourage all Americans to begin the long and arduous task of repairing the damage of the Bush/Cheney/Rove administration.
As Kansans, we should be proud of our Governor. As Americans, we should be disgusted with our president.
Amen WSC!!!
I loved the comment from a democrat that governor “leadership” was just as boring as he expected someone from Kansas to be.
And as usual, the rude one has a great take on the SOTU. Rude language and disturbing images. If you cant take ‘em dont click.
But if you have a strong stomach and a funny bone…
http://www.rudepundit.blogspot.com/
Good stuff KFG.
where your rss?
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