Jon Stewart's Response to the State of the Union. . .Response

Brilliant and funny, per usual.

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook

Rachel Maddow's Bizarre Interview with Rep. Tim Huelskamp, Post-SOTU

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) was interviewed by Rachel Maddow after the State of the Union address on Tuesday night. At issue was a tweet by the Congressman criticizing President Obama's recognition of a wounded serviceman. Huelskamp puts the tweet in context as a tit-for-tat with the White House. . .and then wanders all over the place, from talking point to talking point. While being insulting to Maddow, confusing in general, and just. . .well, watch for yourself.
 

Obama's 5th State of the Union Address

Image from source, MSNBC

If you're counting on your fingers (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)*, you can be forgiven for thinking this was the sixth SOTU for President Obama, but the first one is the inaugural address. But whatever, as these things go, it was a good speech. There were memorable moments, nothing particularly controversial, some strong, firm words but little to throw Right Wing World into a tizzy (beyond. . .you know. . .usual). It was okay.

The things I like--Obama's acknowledgement that he's going to have to do as much as he's legally able to do himself, and without Congress--is one of the things the right wouldn't like. They're calling him an "imperial" president, apparently forgetting the Bush/Cheney years completely. But what else is the man to do with an intractable, do nothing Congress? Good for him.

*And, sidenote: Wow. Hard to believe that we're that deep into the Obama era, isn't it? This blog was started in nearly the same part of the Bush Era. Time flies.

[Excerpt]

Obama: Time for Congress to get out of the way

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 
It took more than 6,840 words. But President Obama’s State of the Union address to Congress really boiled down to one anodyne message: I have led—and so can you! The central theme of the address was familiar: Economic opportunity has eluded too many ordinary Americans despite the progress the country has made so far. And Obama made special mention of the long-term unemployed, making the case once again for extending federal benefits. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

Marco Rubio's Choke on the Water (Rocky Mountain Mike Song Parody)

Perfect!

Meanwhile on Facebook: Charlie McCarthy and Marco Rubio

Part of the fun of following a Twitter feed during a national event like the State of the Union address, is being really in the moment, while other people are too. I know it sounds odd that hovering over your computer can feel so social, but it's really a fun experience. And the bonus is watching memes be born. After Marco Rubio's now infamous "God, I'm so thirsty!" moment, the jokes were flying instantly, and the meme making only shortly after. My favorite--by far--was this one from Kenny Pick, already famous from The Stephanie Miller Show.

 

Ted Nugent Manages Not to Disrupt SOTU

Keep it classy, Ted. Image from source, BuzzFeed.

While Republicans often decry the cult of celebrity, and belittle "Hollywood liberals," they have their own stars, such as they are. It's a much smaller group, and much less. . .um. . .stellar, to say the least. Moreover, it is often difficult to discern why they're elevated to such lofty positions. Ted Nugent is only the most recent example.

Nugent is a musician whose heyday has long passed, who bills himself as an uber-patriotic activist, even though he was once a draft-dodger (with a decidedly unsavory story to go with it). But, he loves weapons, particularly guns, and he likes to shoot his mouth off. He also is very vocal in his opposition to President Obama and to Democrats in general. Because of this, he is granted wide latitude, with even his most extreme utterances not just tolerated, but applauded by the rabble and by the punditry such as Sean Hannity.

Back during the Bush administration, a country band called The Dixie Chicks made a mild disparaging comment about President Bush, and they were all but deported for it. But pseudo-celebrities like Nugent can say anything they want--no matter how vile--about President Obama or Hillary Clinton, and they barely raise an eyebrow on the right. Nugent was even investigated by the Secret Service for his perceived threatening comments. All's fair, I guess, as the right is still acting all back-slappy about The Nuge, and calling him "Uncle Ted." It should be pointed out that if any celebrity  guest of a Democrat attended the State of the Union in jeans, boots, a frumpy jacket, scraggly hair and a goofy soul patch, the likes of Sean Hannity wouldn't stop talking about it, ever.

[Excerpt]

Bored Ted Nugent Slams Obama's Gun Control Plans

Aging rocker Ted Nugent may have avoided making a spectacle during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address much to the chagrin in the scores of reporters on hand, but he had harsh words for the administration's gun control plans after the speech. . .

Read more at: BuzzFeed

Marco! Rubio! Great GOP Hope Bombs on SOTU Night

The thing everyone will always remember about Bobby Jindal's big State of the Union rebuttal was that he sauntered out looking like a cross between Kenneth the page from 30 Rock, and an Indian Mr. Rogers. What he had to say is utterly lost. Well, it just happened again.


Marco Rubio is one of the first efforts by the post-2012 GOP to put a new face on the party. On substance, there was no change in message, only a slight tweak to the delivery. Rubio came off just as earnest (oh, so earnest) as Jindal, and almost as amateurish. He was on an overly decorated, fakey-looking set, and beyond his dressed up pre-2012 election message, Rubio had a problem. He was simultaneously sweating, and parched. Dry mouth, they call it, and it became harder and harder for him to disguise, ultimately leading to a weird mouth-wipe, and then a lunge (oddly enough, to the left!) for a glass of water.

So, the fact that much of Rubio's patter could have come straight from Mitt Romney's stump speech, and that it was equally fact-challenged in parts, is now lost to that unscripted moment. It may not be enough to shut down Rubio as badly as it did Jindal. And if he's smart, he'll turn it into a self-deprecating gag in the future. But there is no question that the 2014 rebuttal is going to be a job that nobody will want to take, outside of, say, John McCain or Lindsey Graham.

One interesting fact: the lunge revealed that Rubio has tamed his combover hairdo just a bit. Prior to his "moment," his hair was largely hidden in shadow. The lunge showed us his no 'do, and it's a marked improvement.


[Excerpt]

The soon-to-be-infamous Marco Rubio water bottle moment

Courtesy of National Journal a wonderful moment captured in time from Marco Rubio’s “Republican response” to the President’s State of the Union. Marco Rubio and the water bottle, a moment in American history captured in time forever. . .

Read more at: AmericaBlog

State of the Union: Obama Delivers Powerful Address

State of the Union Addresses always tend to bog in parts, and President Obama's was no exception. Tuesday night's address wasn't his most powerful speech. Neither was it the sleepy first debate performance, don't get me wrong. And it picked up about midway through, building to an emotional crescendo over the issue of gun control. But I'm glad I watched while reading my Twitter feed, because it made things much more entertaining (poor Marco Rubio, more on that in a bit).

[Excerpt]

Obama challenges GOP, presses big agenda at State of the Union

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

President Barack Obama challenged Republicans on major tax and entitlement proposals in Tuesday's State of the Union address, unveiling sweeping new initiatives to boost the middle class while taking aim at GOP recalcitrance. . .

Read more at: NBCNews

Herman Cain Gives Tea Party Response to State of the Union

What? The "Tea Party," a loose amalgamation of conservatives who really, really don't like President Obama, gave another response to a State of the Union Address? A leaderless movement with a dwindling presence and decreasing relevance is responding to the President's address why exactly? And they picked Herman Cain, former GOP presidential candidate/performance artist to do it? Why?

Well, at least it isn't Michele "Crazy Eyes" Bachmann, looking into the wrong camera this time.  


[Excerpt]


Herman Cain Delivers Tea Party Response To State Of The Union 




At the National Press Club tonight, former presidential hopeful Herman Cain delivered the official State Of The Union rebuttal on the behalf of the Tea Party, marking the second time the nascent conservative movement has fulfilled that role. But while Herman Cain improved on the performance of his predecessor, Michele Bachmann, and managed to deliver the standard Tea Party talking points against the Obama administration, he didn't do much to prove the necessity of a Tea Party rebuttal. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

President Obama's Third State of the Union Address

I liked the speech. I thought it was funny watching John Boner Boehner try to figure out when to clap by watching his side of the audience. It was a lot easier to watch than any of Dubya's, that's for sure. But it wasn't quite a barnburner. And I thought it was odd that the Republicans disliked it so much. This was far from a lefty liberal moonbat speech. It was quite centrist, in my opinion.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

When is a Tea Party not THE Tea Party? Rachel Maddow Explains. . .

And she also keeps heaping the shame upon CNN for their odd partnership with The Tea Party Express. This is the clip I thought I was posting earlier, which explains the double dose of Maddow. If you are not a fan of hers, and you think this clip is just to mock or smear the tea party movement, I urge you to watch the clip. That's not what it's about.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rachel Maddow Shames CNN for Promoting Tea Party Express & Bachmann

This must be a record for an MSNBC clip to hit the web. I just finished watching Rachel Maddow shame CNN, and here it is already. The producers must've known this was a pretty great clip.*  On Tuesday night, CNN featured Michele Bachmann (R-Batshit) and her "official response" to the State of the Union Address. The problem? It wasn't official. It was from a PAC called "The Tea Party Express," an organization funded by a Republican operative, one that CNN has inexplicably aligned itself with.  Take it away, Rachel. . .

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

*UPDATE: The date on the clip threw me. The Rachel Maddow Show aired at midnight in the eastern time zone on Tuesday, so the date was the same as Wednesday. I'll post Wednesday's clip when it goes up.

Michele "Crazy Eyes" Bachmann's State of the Union Response

Why are there two responses to the President's State of the Union Address? And why is one from the rattling brain pan of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann? Hell if I know. This is the Tea Party's--or rather, the Tea Party Express'--response, rather than the GOP response. As though there's a difference. Let's see what sort of plan Miss Cuckoo Bananas has for us, shall we? I haven't watched yet, so I'll comment after. . .



Urrrpppp. . .That was a little hard to take. Why is she looking over my left shoulder? Distracting. Anyway, I don't trust any facts or figures from this woman without a fact-checking organization. Her history bears me out on that one. Also, Ewa Jamma? Honestly. Anyway, thanks to Joe.My.God. for finding the video so that I didn't have to look anymore, and also for the "Crazy Eyes" nickname. Perfect.

Congressman Paul Ryan's GOP Response to the State of the Union Address

A bit vague. Not my cup of tea. But a damned sight better than Bobby Jindal.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

President Obama's Second State of the Union Address

Without commentary, as there is plenty of that to go around. . .

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Alito's "Not True" Comment Wasn't True

Yeah, you probably already knew that. But it needs to be said.

[Excerpt]

Alito’s ‘Not True’ Retort Was Not True



When President Obama warned in last January’s State of the Union address that the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision “will open the floodgates for special interests — including foreign corporations — to spend without limit in our election,” right-wing Justice Samuel Alito infamously mouthed the words, “Not True. . .”

Read more at: Think Progress

Who is Writing Sarah Palin's Facebook Page?

The bizarro world of FreeRepublic.com is still enchanted with Sarah Palin. I just read a scathing review of President Obama's State of the Union Address, allegedly written by Palin, on the FR website. The comments section is rapturous for Caribou Barbie, dreaming of 2012 when she will--apparently--walk away with the Presidential election. Sometimes, they even wish for a Palin-Rush Limbaugh ticket! Which would be hilarious.

But something is amiss here. Well a lot of somethings. For one thing, Palin quit her job as Governor a little more than half way through, which isn't a good sign for being a viable candidate. Plus, she's dumb as a box of rocks, and can't talk extemporaneously on any subject without proving it. And her "pulpit" consists of FOX "News" and Facebook! But it gets weirder than that. Check out Saracudda's babbling FOX appearance, and then read her writings on the same subject. Something doesn't jive here. Who is writing the Facebook stuff? 'Cause it's not this bimbo.



[Excerpt]

The Credibility Gap (Saracuda SKEWERS the Narcissist's lecture!)

While I don’t wish to speak too harshly about President Obama’s state of the union address, we live in challenging times that call for candor. I call them as I see them, and I hope my frank assessment will be taken as an honest effort to move this conversation forward.

Last night, the president spoke of the “credibility gap” between the public’s expectations of their leaders and what those leaders actually deliver. “Credibility gap” is a good way to describe the chasm between rhetoric and reality in the president’s address. The contradictions seemed endless.

He called for Democrats and Republicans to “work through our differences,” but last year he dismissed any notion of bipartisanship when he smugly told Republicans, “I won. . .”

Read more of (not) Palin's Facebookin' (and the rapturous commentary) at: FreeRepublic.com

End of Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

I sure hope so. . . .

[Excerpt]

Obama urges repeal of ban on gays in military

Reaching out to a skeptical gay community, President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged Congress to repeal the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, but neither made a commitment to suspend the practice in the interim nor issued a deadline.

Obama's reference to the so-called "don't ask, don't tell" practice took only 32 words of his State of the Union address, but drew criticism from Democratic allies and Republican opponents alike. It also underscored the challenge Obama faces, not just with Congress but also with the Pentagon, where some top officials have been strident in their support for the Clinton-era policy.

"This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are," Obama said. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

President Barack Obama's Address to Congress

Tonight's Presidential Address to Congress wasn't officially a "State of the Union" address, but it may has well have been. And it is the first speech of its sort that I've been able to watch in eight long years where I didn't cringe. Whatever you think of the content of the address, one must admit that it is a nice change to have a President who is so well spoken. I even noted that "preventive" and "nuclear" were said correctly!

The content--to me--was pretty good. Necessarily dire, while at the same time hopeful. And the very clear point that people making $250,000 or less per year would be getting a tax cut makes it difficult for right-wingers to complain with any authority that taxes are going up. Because that would require them to be the champions of the rich, or at least the well-off.

Anyway, you can decide for yourselves beyond that short commentary.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Bush's Lame Duck Speech Not Impressing Congress

Photo from source, AOL News

Many Democrats, such as myself, have been profoundly disappointed by the performance of the press during the Bush Administration. They've often acted as glorified stenographers. And at times when they do get back into fighting shape, they tend to pull their punches. Where is the press of the Clinton Administration, where the tiniest whiff of scandal brought 'em out like a pack of ravenous dogs?

We may never know, but this story is a little better. . .

[Excerpt]

Lame Duck Bush Faces Skeptical Congress

Democratic Congress is poised to heed President Bush's call to help save the economy, but may not give him much else after a State of the Union speech that recycled many of the administration's past initiatives. . .

Read more at: AOL News