Obama’s second inaugural (updated)
There were, I think, three main elements to President Obama’s second inaugural address (other than its brevity at just 19 minutes, which was the only truly surprising thing about the speech):
First, there was his identification of what — or who — is at the root of our problems:
- “The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few …”
- “For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it.”
- “We do not believe that in this country freedom is reserved for the lucky or happiness for the few.”
In case you didn’t catch his drift, I’ve supplied some emphasis. There are just a “few” people who are keeping the rest of us from … what exactly? Does anyone actually believe only a “few” Americans (even granting the president poetic license to mean a “few” as a relative share of a nation of more than 315 million people) are happy? Or enjoy freedom? Or experience financial success?
To understand his exaggeration of the cause of our problems requires the second element of the speech, which is the gross mischaracterization of the positions of the president’s political opponents. Here are two examples:
- “No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores.”
- “… we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future.”
Who, exactly, claims that a “single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need,” or that a “single person can … build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores”? Who has claimed that such a solitary trainer of teachers or builder of roads exists?
And who, exactly, believes our nation “must choose between” programs for retirees and, say, education? The GOP presidential nominee who wanted to restore the Medicare spending cut to fund (on paper) Obamacare? The Republican leaders whose proposals for Social Security involve slowing the growth of benefits?
Who are these unreasonable people who hold these radical beliefs?
Figments of Obama’s imagination — that’s who. This is the kind of willful misrepresentation of opposing viewpoints that is the stock-in-trade of Obama’s rhetoric.
Hand-in-hand with this misrepresentation is the projection onto others of the kind of behavior Obama himself regularly displays: “We cannot mistake absolutism for principle” — kind of like saying you won’t extend tax cuts for everyone else unless taxes go up on the “few” — “… or treat name-calling as reasoned debate” — kind of like calling the other side “hostage takers.”
Finally, there were the policy prescriptions to which Obama alluded. This was the element of the speech that made it sound akin to a State of the Union address. There were allusions to, though no detailed proposals for, reforming government, the tax code and schools; addressing climate change via sustainable energy sources; support for gay marriage; attempting comprehensive immigration reform; pursuing the kind of gun control measures he proposed just last week; and, most of the blue, shortening the time it takes to vote on Election Day.
Take these elements together, and it was a speech being received (with some degree of shock) by liberals as a thoroughly liberal speech. And (with far less shock) by conservatives as the same.
Why it took liberals aback, I don’t know. The notion of Obama the Centrist has appealed only to those who believe he really should govern as a socialist. But it does not portend any more of a spirit of cooperation during the next two years than we’ve seen during the past four.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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278 comments Add your comment
JDW
January 21st, 2013
2:54 pm
@Kyle… Color me
Today’s “Conservatives” didn’t like Obama’s speech…this part in particular ws for them.
We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.
Pssssttt…LBB, Tiberius et al…that means you.
Kyle Wingfield
January 21st, 2013
2:56 pm
Yes, Obama’s speech was a very liberal one. But as Levar Burton would have said back in the day, don’t take my word for it:
“Obama Inauguration 2013: Return of the liberal,” Glenn Thrush, Politico
“Unapologetically liberal inauguration speech by Obama,” Ewen MacAskill, the Guardian (U.K.)
“This is a surprisingly liberal speech,” Chris Hayes, MSNBC
“Obama embraces progressive agenda in second inaugural address,” Liz Goodwin, Yahoo! News
A “robust defense of liberalism,” Chuck Todd, NBC News
“The president liberals were waiting for is (finally) here,” Chris Cillizza, Washington Post
I could go on, but you get the picture. None of these writers or news outlets are exactly considered arch-conservatives.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
January 21st, 2013
2:58 pm
“Unapologetically liberal inauguration speech by Obama,”
We libs were due. Today is payday.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
January 21st, 2013
3:01 pm
Distill Obama’s speech to a single sentence and that sentence is: “I’m the president, deal with it.
Can you feel the smackdown?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
January 21st, 2013
3:03 pm
“Ended the war in Iraq”
By simply following the policy of his predecessor.
“Killed Osama bin Laden”
By simply following the policy of his predecessor.
“Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”
The largest tax increase on low and middle-class Americans when the mandate kicks in, because even the Supreme Court knows that a tax is, even if he doesn’t. And it will eventually drive employers to end benefits for millions of low and middle-class employees to fend for themselves.
“Ended the great recession”
With the most anemic recovery from an economic disaster this nation has ever seen.
“Created 3.766 million new jobs in four years (I’m dubious any president “creates” jobs, but that is how many were created during his term – Bush lost 1.8 million in 8 years and made a big hole for Obama to dig us out of)”
Presidents don’t create jobs. And even if they did, deficit spending to create jobs is simply robbing Peter to pay Paul – never a good strategy.
“No foreign terrorist attacks on US soil”
No, he just got his ambassador to Libya and three other killed.
“Stimulus package”
Buying off the unions in exchange for their votes.
“Largest tax cut in American history, passed with bipartisan support.”
Which was then reversed at the very end of his first term.
“Permanently tied AMT to inflation”
So?
Rush
January 21st, 2013
3:05 pm
Wow….Obummer killed bin Laden!!!Did he do it with his bare hands? You forgot to mention his Nobel Prize!!!LOL
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
January 21st, 2013
3:05 pm
“We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. ”
Words pale in comparison to deeds, JDW.
One cannot utter those words as being believable when one runs up the debt to insolvency proportions with no plan to bring it back down.
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:06 pm
Yes, the gop took the easy, lazy way to govern for the wealthy only.
That ideology failed badly for the rest of the American people.
It is we, the people not we, the wealthy donors.
Governing for ALL the American people is a hard way to govern and a change that is great for our country.
BTW, when are you cons going to fix your failed party?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
January 21st, 2013
3:07 pm
Cliff, about half of your post is easily-smacked-down lies.
Numbers-R-US
January 21st, 2013
3:08 pm
If President Obama gives the Republicans a taste, no, a heaping helping, of their own medicine for the next four years, he’ll make me extremely happy. The Republicans I hear whining and see with blood vessels bulging, the more I am convinced President Obama is doing good.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
January 21st, 2013
3:12 pm
JDW: We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.
——
Tell us how Obozo’s parasite base, living off the tax paying segment of society, fulfills that obligation.
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:13 pm
We should never balance our budget again unless there is a law to stop the gop from blowing out our deficit again if they ever win again.
We will work on deficit reduction.
It is part of his agenda.
Numbers-R-US
January 21st, 2013
3:17 pm
The Republicans are really dreading their next tax bill. I hear the extra 2% withholding is going to put a serious damper in their cigarette and lottery ticket purchases. They hardly have enough left over for their weekly allottment of .223 rounds as it is.
Old timer
January 21st, 2013
3:17 pm
Kyle, good points on the speech. This is so typical.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 21st, 2013
3:18 pm
FIRST TERM: Obama Increased Debt $50,521 Per Household; More Than First 42 Presidents — Combined!
Success!
Can I get a duh?
Numbers-R-US
January 21st, 2013
3:22 pm
If the Republicans don’t like their $50,000 debt, they’re free to mail in a check any time. No one’s stopping you.
JSH
January 21st, 2013
3:23 pm
Well since the election, I have not watch TV new of any sorts, do not read any newspaper articles about Obama, certainly didn’t watch today nor will I tonight. I have, bought more guns, got a carrying license, and have joined the NRA.
Numbers-R-US
January 21st, 2013
3:25 pm
I heard Wal-Mart had to put up signs telling their customers that they are not allowed to use their EBT cards to purchase AR-15’s.
MarkV
January 21st, 2013
3:27 pm
One more time: Whether Obama’s policies and speech should be called liberal or not is not important; what is important is that his are the policies the majority of people of this country have expressed their support of by electing him twice.
Numbers-R-US
January 21st, 2013
3:29 pm
If Mitt had not alienated his 47% of the voters with that hidden camera recording, who knows what he could have accomplished especially once he put in window cranks on Air Force One and got all that fresh air in there to breath.
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:31 pm
cantor just shot down the corporate media “liberal” theme and said we do need to come together to help the other Americans not just the wealthy.
That is a shift in ideology from the gop if they actually do it.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
January 21st, 2013
3:31 pm
In 10 years you Cons will be buying your ammo at the Wal-Mart over on Obama Drive or the gun shop over on Obama Boulevard.
And sending your kids to “Obama Elementary” and catching plays at the “Obama Center for Performing arts”
From Buzzfeed:
Andrew Sullivan, made that case last fall: “If Obama wins, to put it bluntly, he will become the Democrats’ Reagan. The narrative writes itself. He will emerge as an iconic figure who struggled through a recession and a terrorized world, reshaping the economy within it, passing universal health care, strafing the ranks of al -Qaeda, presiding over a civil-rights revolution, and then enjoying the fruits of the recovery.”
Sullivan predicts, “Reagan status (maybe minus the airport-naming).” Actually, Midway, named for the Pacific battle, is pretty much waiting for a presidential name to be attached.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
January 21st, 2013
3:33 pm
“what is important is that his are the policies the majority of people of this country have expressed their support of by electing him twice.”
Nice try, but epic failure, MarkV.
I supported SOME of Romney’s policies, but not ALL of them. I support SOME of President Incompetent’s policies, but not ALL of them.
You keep up with this “We got elected” thing as if a majority of people who voted for him had the greater good in mind when they did so, rather than not-so-enlightened self-interest. I will remind you again that we are NOT a democracy, and therefore the “majority” cannot rule over the individual. Any recipe uses many ingredients, and not all of them are good for you depending on the quantity and type used.
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:39 pm
You will have to move left out of rw radical extremist territory and it looks like that is what your party will do.
He spent his first term cleaning up the bush disaster.
He will spend the next four years still working on the deficit the gop exploded and his agenda he campaigned on.
Mike
January 21st, 2013
3:42 pm
Stalin called them “useful idiots”. Obama, to his credit, has made full use of them.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 21st, 2013
3:43 pm
Most of the weapons used by al Qaeda-linked militants to storm a gas facility in southeastern Algeria came from Libya, the Daily Telegraph has learned.
Success!
Can I get a duh?
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:43 pm
ODS much mike?
Matz
January 21st, 2013
3:45 pm
Haters gon’ hate. Too bad. Some of us believe in the promise of America — those who aren’t obsessed with turning back the clock to a time when crochety old white men (and COWM in training) were the sole voices of authority.
Bless your hearts! (And uh… good luck with that turning back the clock thing. *snerk*)
MarkV
January 21st, 2013
3:45 pm
How could there be any global warming, when the whole world, aka Minneapolis, Chicago and Milwaukee, have such cold temperatures?
md
January 21st, 2013
3:45 pm
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”
Means we all get to run in the race, it doesn’t mean we all get to win.
Dusty
January 21st, 2013
3:45 pm
Well, folks, I got in just as the president was speaking. I was “inspired” of course. Hope you and Kyle don’t mind my poem that’s kinda long. Anyway, here goes..
THE SECOND TIME
Now comes the CELEBRATION!
Flags, crowds, bands: THE INAUGURATION!
Buildings of marble stand in conglomeration
While crowds shiver in waves of commendation.
(The President speaks!)
Oh yes, he does, wih solemn face and uplifted eyes.
Pronounces our greatness where equality lies.
Then says we’re equal but need better ties.
Deep thought his words do comprise.
(The President lowers his head.)
“We must not forget the fight we fought.
Let not our freedom come to nought.
Whether it’s diversity or energy or what we were taught,
We can do better! Let greatness be sought!”
(The President raises his head.)
The crowd does some clapping. Isn’t it time?
The President warms up. Like MLK he’s so inclined.
HIs arms are raised. His voice Southern climed.
He picks up the vibes. Freedom is “divine”!
(The President looks noble.)
Endings must be great with Lincoln in mind.
The President’s determined to lift us from all grime.
We listen carefully. To the end he climbs.
He’s the “liberty bell” with all its chimes
(The President smiles.)
Now there’s a song and Katy doth bellow.
Then comes the poet, a big eared fellow
And Beyonce wobbles “America” so mellow
And the Spanish pastor, “Si, sir, may God bless us together.”
(The President bows his head.)
Now the great titled ones all depart
Including Bill and Hillary doinig their part.
The President looks back at all with heart
And goes to sign papers for a legal start.
So the snow melts and the light doth shine.
The air is filled with thoughts so fine.
But some are thinking and it nags the mind:
:”It’s GOT to be better this second time.”
(The end.)
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:48 pm
Time to level the playing field.
Love it or leave it.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 21st, 2013
3:49 pm
Record cold temperatures in a world that is supposed to be warming.
Can I get a duh?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 21st, 2013
3:51 pm
Real life stories from the obozoeconomy -
JUNEAU, Wis. (AP) – Two dancers at an exotic club in Juneau have been cited after they allegedly brawled over a dollar bill.
I’d a paid a dollar to see that.
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:53 pm
Yes, it is warmer than the last inauguration.
Mike
January 21st, 2013
3:55 pm
Get,
Help me. “ODS” in my world means open domain server. What does it mean in your kind and gentle hearted liberal world? I’m sure it’s something really nice. Cause you guys are so kind.
Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....
January 21st, 2013
3:55 pm
So I understand that the measurement of when we should really worry about the debt and resulting debt expense is when debt to GDP gets to 90%..we better hope GDP goes up materially cause without a plan to reduce borrowing, we will be there in 4 years..
What’s the plan?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
January 21st, 2013
3:56 pm
Haters gon’ hate.
———-
And the poorly educated and lazy are going to continue to vote Democrat.
getalife
January 21st, 2013
3:58 pm
mike,
It is a mental defect called “Obama Derangement Syndrome” usually related to the other mental defect called conservatism.
Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....
January 21st, 2013
4:01 pm
Typical BO blather today…he didn’t seem to say anything new and same promises from 2008 that went by the wayside appear again…albeit in a different forum.
He has no plan. Congress has no plan. Ergo we have no plan. Ergo, the trends have no reason to not continue. It would be great if BO and congress had the stones/courage to do what needs to be done. Our greatest security risk is our balance sheet. Meanwhile, we drone away at innocents and keep our noses under the tents of others for reasons not in our interests.
I like the quote I heard today…was Obama’s speech really titled “I have a drone”?
getalife
January 21st, 2013
4:03 pm
mike,
stevie is a prime example of ods.
Mike
January 21st, 2013
4:08 pm
Get,
Thanks…I see it now. Peace my friend, I gotta go run a couple miles before it gets dark. I live up in the hills and the sun disappears early up here.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
January 21st, 2013
4:16 pm
Who was that feasting on lobster tail and bison at the inaugural lunch…the “privileged few” or the many?
indigo
January 21st, 2013
4:17 pm
Kyle – 2:56
Just out of curiosity, did you expect Obama to give a conservative speech?
Hillbilly D
January 21st, 2013
4:21 pm
The headline on the AJC home page says “OBAMA SWORN-IN AS 44th U.S. PRESIDENT”.
Wasn’t he already the 44th President?
MarkV
January 21st, 2013
4:28 pm
Dusty,
Thank you for the poem. I appreciate it much more than the leading article of this blog, in which his author, unlike even the congressional opponents of President Obama today, could not find the decency to say anything else than attacks on the President’s speech.
(I do not mention the comments of those of similar persuasion on this blog, from whom decency is something I never expect.)
md
January 21st, 2013
4:30 pm
“We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. ”
Comical considering it is that posterity that will be paying for the continued spending that we don’t have.
md
January 21st, 2013
4:32 pm
“Time to level the playing field.”
Oh Joy, we all get trophies for coming in last………..
JDW
January 21st, 2013
4:36 pm
@Kyle…”But as Levar Burton would have said back in the day, don’t take my word for it:”
What he said would have made no difference at all…today’s “Conservatives” would have hated it anyway. He has spent 4 years as a Centrist and ending up with mostly Center Right solutions and they still hated it. In fact they can’t even admit that most everything he has done would have been considered “Mainstream Republican” ten years ago.
I think Colin Powell has it about right…
“while the GOP has headed to the right, the nation has moved to the middle with changing demographics.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/colin-powell-republicans-voter-id-86488.html#ixzz2IeG0hqcb
I for one am glad the President has chosen to embrace that change.
Cliff
January 21st, 2013
4:38 pm
Tiberius-
I’m confused, did Bush order a navy seal attack in Pakistan on Osama Bin Laden? Obama did, and no one else could have. Bush only used drones in Pakistan, and never would have approved such a controversial and risky plan.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – No more denials of insurance for pre-existing conditions. No more lifetime maximums. Mandatory insurance creates a mechanism to pay for the medical care of people we are already paying for. When someone goes to the ER and is treated and never pays, who do you think pays for that? Wouldn’t you rather have a system where insurance is required, so that you don’t have to pay for everyone else’s medical care when they don’t have insurance? Or do you like larger bills from hospitals to cover those that aren’t insured?
As to the ambassador, there are always attacks overseas. Compare to 241 marines dying in the barracks in Beirut, 9/11, WTC bombings, and terrorist attacks that have occurred in every previous administration, his anti-terrorism record is unassailable.
On taxes, the tax cuts of 2001 were set to expire at the end of 2012. The new tax rates in 2013 was the largest tax cut in American history, and most Republicans in Congress voted against it. They voted for the largest tax cut in American history. And they say Democrats want to raise taxes.
The stimulus package created jobs and helped bring us out of the recession. It’s fact that 3.766 million jobs were created during his first term, and the economy continues to improve. Growth was undermined by the Republicans’ playing politics with the debt limit increase and generally trying to tank the economy to win the 2012 presidential election.