For the first time since 2002 I actually watched the President’s SOTU speech.
I thought it was excellent.
But then, I believe in the Wilsonian principles his foreign policy is based on. And I liked the broad strokes of his domestic policy plans.
I watched it on NBC and they (Williams and Russert) declared all the initiatives dead within four minutes of the speech ending!
My mistake for not watching it on CNN or Fox. But i wasn’t the only person to take note of this.
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Ann Althouse is a law professor at the University of Wisconsin, with a very popular blog. I’ve like her writings on legal matters (there’s a link to her weblog on the right side of my journal). I don’t agree with everything she writes, but Alhouse is very fair-minded. Here’s her comments on the SOTU speech and NBC:
"A nice, vigorous speech. Full of optimism and courage. Ack! Now the NBC commentators come on and talk first about the "deep divisions" in the room. The Republicans applauded a lot more than the Democrats. Isn’t that disturbing? "We just plain disagree on every fundamental issue that is confronting this country," Tim Russert says in a dire tone. What can Bush get done? Very little! Hey, forget your damned optimism and get depressed fast, people.
Enough for me. I’m switching over the the TiVo’d "American Idol.""
Enough for me. I’m switching over the the TiVo’d "American Idol.""
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As I said, I thought the speech was pretty good, but since my opinion is worth what you paid to read it, here are some other opinions. The NY Times The State of Energy – New York Times of course very predictable ("woefully insufficient", etc). Washington Post Altered State, a bit more sanguine.
Here’s a commentary on National Review online, making some obvious points about the media Tim Graham on SOTU on National Review Online
And comments by Taranto on the free Wall Street Journal opinion siteOpinionJournal – Best of the Web Today. I loved his unearthing today an old Anthony Lewis (former big cheese on the NY Times op ed page) column slicing and dicing Reagan – and of course Lewis proven completely wrong by history.
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