This is a repost of my regular commentary on the State of The Union speech. this year of course we will have a slightly different take because of the 2014 campaign aspects to the address. Both President Obama and the GOP responses are likely to add more rhetoric and a bit more of a partisan tilt to their speeches. But overall I think the commentary stands
As we move closer to the time for the State of The Union speech I am starting to wonder about whether it is really worth debating to discussing. Don’t get me wrong I understand that is something of a state occasion for us and that the President will propose an agenda while the loyal opposition will respond with their own ideas
But at the same time we all already know pretty much what the agenda will be. I don’t mean any disrespect but it seems to me these speeches are sort of like those cartoons where they show what your dog or cat hears when you talk to them
Blah Blah Blah *America* blah blah blah *unity* blah blah blah *coming together* blah blah blah *shared sacrifice* blah blah blah *comments to stoke the base* blah blah blah *proposals we already know about that won’t go very far* blah blah *ignoring important issues because they make waves* blah blah blah
And this year blah blah blah *political red meat for the campaign* blah blah blah *slanted attacks on the other side* blah blah blah.
And so on.
We’ll spend time tonight debating about how well or badly the President did, with your reaction probably a reflection of whether you support them or not. Hard core Democrats/liberals will find it the greatest speech in human history while hard core conservatives/Republicans will speculate how he avoided drooling all over himself. The reverse will be true of the response (or responses if you give the Tea Party status, which I really don’t)
We will also debate the issues, with the same people taking the same sides and nobody getting very far in changing minds. Indeed when looking at debates on issues like the SOTU I am reminded of a comment about the New York Legislature (whether in reference to our own debates or what will happen with the proposals in Congress itself).
They speak very fast and very loud, and nobody listens to anybody else, with the result that nothing ever gets done
Don’t misunderstand me, I do recognize the importance of political debate and that this is a chance to set the agenda. But when we all already know what is going to be said and when there are many other important issues that don’t get addressed, it kind of makes you wonder what the point is.
If nothing else this will provide us with a slightly different form of debate, as I am sure my colleagues will provide plenty of standard SOTU threads (and indeed it is likely that despite this post I will do so as well).