Factbox: Reactions to the State of the Union address

Yahoo ^ | 1/25/11 | Reuters

[NormsRevenge]

(Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday.

His speech challenges Republicans to adopt limited spending cuts and focus on job-creating investments.

Here are some reactions to the speech.

House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, in remarks prepared as the official Republican response:

"Last year -- in an unprecedented failure -- Congress chose not to pass, or even propose a budget ... Our forthcoming budget is our obligation to you -- to show you how we intend to do things differently, how we will cut spending to get the debt down, help create jobs and prosperity, and reform government programs."

David Kendall, senior fellow with centrist think tank Third Way:

"This is exactly where we need to be. This is a speech that's focused on economic growth and the nation's competitiveness. The president is spot on."

Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, in the Tea Party response to Obama's speech:

"After the $700 billion bailout, the trillion-dollar stimulus, and the massive budget bill with over 9,000 earmarks that the President signed, many of you implored Washington to please stop spending money we don't have ... But, instead of cutting, we saw an unprecedented explosion of government spending and debt at President Obama's direction; unlike anything we have seen in the history of our country."

[FrankR]

[Vendome]

Yeah?

 

Here's my one muse:

 

WTF was all that standing and clapping in comraderie? 

 

Made it look as if the entire room was in agreement with Fauxbama.

 

Only one person made sense, Boehner.  He knew when to sit and not clap.

 

This whole thing was stupid.

 

On the other hand, I am looking forward to the hand wringing when the "Continuing Resolution" is delivered.

[bereanway]

Gee, this is a really tough one. Didn't see any of the speeches but upon these quotes...Bachman in a landslide. Keep reminding everyone what an abject failure and embarrassment this administration has become.

[Benchim]

As a speech, it was a disaster. As far as content it sucked.We need the federal government slashed across the board by 25%. WE ARE BROKE. Stop spending NOW!!!

[kittymyrib]

From what I saw of the clips on the local news, it looks like the Democrats and the Republicans slept together during The Dullest Speech Ever.

[McGavin999]

I thought it was, quite literally, the most boring say nothing SOTU speech in history.

[heysean]

I didn’t like seeing Boehner getting choked up near the end, I had to flip it.

[taxtruth]

Pep rally speech from a communist trying to be an American.

[Myrddin]

Boehner would get choked up over a piece of burnt
toast. His “water works” are one of his personal
weaknesses. Let’s see what he actually does.

[JIM O]

Just curious but does anyone know how that small businessman Obama referred to is saving $5000 under Obama Care

[Doob]

It felt more like a history lesson on our nations successes and clearly not where we are going. Pelosi was like a school marm looking to see who was not clapping or standing and taking names. And all the “marks” trying to get him to sign not just the programs but pictures. Two dogs and one pony.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Michelle Bachmann was fantastic. She blew Ryan out of the box. She looks more presidential than Barry or Ryan. She needs to throw her high heels in the ring for 2012.

[Digger]

DeMint/Bachmann - that’s the winner.

[rbmillerjr]

I thought Ryan was better. Bachmann’s was also excellent.

[Georgia Girl 2]

“DeMint/Bachmann - that’s the winner.”

I’m down with that but DeMint just is not going to run.

I say let Bachmann run. If she wins she wins if not then she gave it a good try. There are going to be about 12 people coming out of the gate so she might as well jump in and get her feet wet.

[Yardstick]

I heard Ryan on the radio and thought he sounded great. Didn’t hear Bachmann.

[heysean]

She needs to throw her high heels in the ring for 2012. Agree 100% She says what needs to be said.

[existtoexcel]

to adopt limited spending cuts

That's just plain wrong. Do not limit cuts. We need 'em deep and to the bone. (vitriolicly speaking)

[MasterGunner01]

Twenty-five percent is NOT enough — 50 percent — the amount of our total tax revenue that is totally wasted through fraud and abuse.

Eliminate useless and applicative departments and agencies AND federal employees. Let these pompous, arrogant, self-serving “public servants” find out what it is like to stand in the unemployment line.

And when the ex-fed employee makes it to the front of the line, the unemployment office government employee at the counter: 1) goes on a 20 minute coffee break or 2) tells the ex-fed worker that he or she is in the wrong line and go to the end of THAT line.