NPR: Bloggers React to the State of the Union

Bloggers React to the State of the Union

Among bloggers, the overall reaction so far to President Bush's final State of the Union address appears to be that it gets a passing grade but was nothing special. Many described it as a conciliatory speech, especially considering that he will need to work with a Democratic Congress to achieve many of the goals of his last year in office.

Ed Morrissey of the conservative Captain's Quarters wrote:

"It didn't move me much. He had his moments; his slam on earmarks was much appreciated, even if he didn't take the action we wanted. It's a huge improvement over where we were at just two years ago on the subject. His promise to veto any new taxes also satisfied me. The recitation of the success in Iraq was, I thought, particularly effective. However, most of the rest of the speech seemed boilerplate and rote, and not particularly well delivered. Bush has been a mostly mediocre speaker, with a couple of moments in his terms where he seemed moved to eloquence. We know he can reach those heights when circumstances demand it, but otherwise he just sounds either diffident or annoyed."

Matt Lewis at Townhall.com writes that many conservatives aren't sure what to think of the speech and of the president himself:

"President Bush did [acknowledge] problems in the economy, including a housing crisis. My guess is that he fears being seen as out-of-touch, the way his father was in 1991, when a recession hit and probably cost him re-election. While most conservatives are less than thrilled over the currently proposed stimulus package, most conservatives will applaud his call to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. The real question is whether or not this is simply rhetoric -- or if he's willing to fight for them."

Even A.J. Rossmiller of the liberal AMERICAblog couldn't get very worked up:

"Look ma, no legacy! As far as I can tell, the big goals for this year are (1) reducing earmarks, and (2) scaring people. On the one hand, it's not very ambitious. On the other, he might actually be able to handle those goals. But none of our big problems will be helped. 2009 can't come soon enough."

Just a note: Please continue to post your comments. If we miss any tonight, we'll post them first thing in the morning.

11:05 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Is there a fact watch on the democratic rebuttal? That lady was creepy, and like Darth Vader pleaded to Luke... join us Mr. President on the dark side! Join us in socializing the universe!...

Sent by Aktung | 11:44 PM ET | 01-28-2008

THE presidential 'STATE OF THE UNION
address was boring as expected.THE
far deeper technological fields that
can produce the right stuff that other countries will buy into is an needed value for the economy.
THE proven discoveries in the fields of atomic, space and defense
data comunications is a virgin wealth of information that the U.S. can push to the world to
help stimulate the ecomomy.Speaking
about deeper technology is the
banned topic in the Bush speeches.
I am glad this is his last time
to publicly overlook whats ailing
the ecomomy.Its the new technology,
stupid!

Sent by jerry a. Myers | 1:03 AM ET | 01-29-2008

The State of the Union Address was important in that George Bush signed a lot of autographs.

For Democrats as well as Republicans.

George Bush leaves office very popular with the wealth, but unpopular with the poor.

The poor do not elect the President of the United States.

Just hard to swallow fact.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 12:18 PM ET | 01-29-2008

I agree with Fred, the poor are too busy working their second job, buying lottery tickets and Digital TVs to care about the State of the Union.
All long as they continue getting their pay,welfare,unemployment,disability, Social Security checks.

Sent by Harold | 2:17 PM ET | 01-29-2008

I wish Darth Vader had wanted to socialize the universe-

Sent by http://slingsomeink.blogspot.com | 7:28 PM ET | 01-29-2008

The president said that salaries are up. I wonder whose, because mine has certainly not.

Sent by M Barrera | 10:51 PM ET | 01-29-2008

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