On the “flip” are a few excerpts from President Obama’s State of the Union speech tonight (9 pm ET). In general, the White House has been emphasizing that this speech “will be a bookend to the President’s speech in Kansas last month about the central mission we have as a country,” and “about how this is a make or break moment for the middle class…where the President believes we need to go: building an economy that works for everyone, not just a wealthy few.”
The SOTU speech will lay out President Obama’s “Blueprint for an America built to last.” It includes four main “pillars”: 1) “bring about a new era of American manufacturing, with more good jobs and more products stamped Made in the USA;” 2) “a new era for American energy – an economy fueled by homegrown and alternative energy sources that will be designed and produced by American workers;” 3) “new ideas for how we’ll make sure our students and workers get the education and training they need so that we have a workforce ready to take on the jobs of today and tomorrow;” and 4) “the President will call for a return to American Values – of fairness for all, and responsibility from all.”
I’m looking forward to President Obama’s speech, and to the start of a campaign in which Democrats articulate their vision for America, which needless to say stands in stark contrast to the John Birch Society Teapublicans’ plans to make the rich richer and everyone else poorer. By the way, the latest national poll indicates that the American people are not liking what they’re hearing from Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, who are seeing abysmal (and getting worse!) approval/disapproval ratings, while President Obama’s net approval rating has risen to +10 points (53%-43%).
With the country better off on almost every metric than it was when Barack Obama took office in late January 2009, this election by all rights shouldn’t even be close. But, most likely, it will not be easy, as is usually the case in life. For now, though, I’m just enjoying watching the Republican Party implode, and President Obama do us proud. Enjoy the SOTU, and feel free to use this as an open thread. Thanks.
“Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.”
“…The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them.”
“As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.”
“No, we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.”
“Let’s never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a government and a financial system that does the same. It’s time to apply the same rules from top to bottom: No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody.”
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