More of the same in Obama’s SOTU; Rubio hits the right notes in GOP response
Toward the beginning of his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama said we need a “smarter government,” not a “bigger government.” He then proceeded to request a long wish list of new government programs that make clear that, in his mind, the only smarter government is a bigger one.
So, we would have the federal government providing everything from universal pre-K to a network of manufacturing hubs to rebuilt bridges to refinanced homes — none of which is a bad thing, but also none of which require the involvement of a federal government already well beyond its ability to pay for the things it already tries to do. His assertion that this wish list would not add “a single dime” to the deficit didn’t pass the laugh test, particularly when administration officials after the speech declined to provide cost estimates for the new programs.
One can only guess his proposals won’t add “a single dime” to the deficit because they would, instead, add many billions if not trillions of dollars to it.
But if you missed the speech, fear not. You have heard every thought in it before; it was a pastiche of speeches he’s given over the past four years. I wouldn’t even say last night’s rendition was better than all the other times he’s given it. The only unifying theme was that Washington needs to do more. The only memorable moment came toward the end, when the president employed his familiar cadence of repeating a particular phrase time and again — this time, it was to say the various victims of gun violence he mentioned by name “deserve a vote” on his gun-control proposals. It will have zero effect on policy making. It was campaign-rally, rah-rah stuff.
If you expected anything different, you haven’t been paying attention. If tax dollars are still paying for a White House speechwriter to recycle the same ideas and phrases, then what Americans “deserve” is a refund.
The GOP response from Sen. Marco Rubio was the party’s strongest counter-argument yet during the Obama presidency. If you missed it, you might not see much about it in the news beyond the (admittedly awkward) moment during the middle of it when a clearly parched Rubio reached quickly for a bottle of water. As someone said on Twitter at the time — I lost track of exactly who it was — that’s largely a function of how a speech given to a camera is inherently inferior to one given to a live audience, during which the speaker can pause during applause to take a quick swig. Rubio’s Water(bottle)gate was but the latest reminder of that fact, which has dogged SOTU respondents from both parties for years now.
Those who can look past that moment will find the reasons Republicans are so excited about Rubio as a future presidential candidate. He makes the case for conservative principles with illustrations, and from angles, that are necessary to cast them in their proper light: as principles that can boost Americans of all backgrounds and income levels. This was a case Mitt Romney did not, and perhaps could not, make effectively. Rubio is obviously fluent in conservative ideals and language in a way that neither Romney not John McCain was. His ethnicity is icing on the cake.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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403 comments Add your comment
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 13th, 2013
11:50 am
md
He boils it down to two simple numbers.
You are not adding in the enhanced revenue since Krugman proposed his plans the other day. They plan to pay for all this with “death panels and sales tax”. The only time a Dem speaks of sales tax revenue, is when he has exhausted all other sources.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:51 am
“The Medicare program is not broken. Seniors are being treated and their bills are being paid according to the rules. As for the future, it is interesting to see some people arguing against scientific models containing assumptions (md, February 12th, 2013@6:39 pm: “No Mark, what is most disturbing is that models are used that contain assumptions…”), and then arguing using assumptions in prediction models in the much more uncertain field of economics and human behavior.”
And why did I guess you would come back with that non-sense.
One is predicated on assumptions of a whole range of variables while the other is basic math Mark. Or did you miss the part about already having to borrow the money from other sources to pay for the program?
Ivan Cohen
February 13th, 2013
11:54 am
I may not remember what Marco Rubio said but I am sure not going to forget that water break. At least he took a measurable sip and not a large gulp.
md
February 13th, 2013
11:54 am
“A system like that works all right if health care costs stay low. But over the past few decades, they’ve risen dramatically. There are more and more people entering the Medicare system. Those people live increasingly longer lives. And most importantly, Steuerle says, no one is in charge of saying “no” to medical-cost inflation.
The result is a Medicare system that only pays for one third of itself. The shortfall is made up — in part — from other sources of revenue.
“It’s also borrowing from China and Germany and a lot of other countries,” Steuerle says.”
I’ll repeat it for you Mark – “The result is a Medicare system that only pays for one third of itself. The shortfall is made up — in part — from other sources of revenue.”
cj
February 13th, 2013
11:55 am
Rubio did not offer one single solution to any problem this nation faces and THAT will be his downfall. All he did was say the President is wrong. Nothing more. Really? That is how you fix things? Please GOP, turn off the lights and go home… you’re finished.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
11:55 am
sailfish: my issue is that before 2008 not one word was ever uttered about the debt. As soon as obama walks through the door with a crashed economy all of a sudden the debt is the number one key issue and battle cry for the repubs.
Based upon your statement, sailfish, I’m guessing that you spent most of 2008 under the surface of the ocean. There was plenty of criticism of Bush during his last few years in office, as is reflected in his popularity numbers.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/116500/presidential-approval-ratings-george-bush.aspx
In 2005, Bush’s Approval ratings fell below 50% and never recovered, falling all the way below 30% in his last year in office. You may wish to check the facts before making false generalizations like that.
BTW, sail, I’m more than happy to engage you in a courteous way, because you seem to have a willingness to listen to the other side and actually address the points at hand, unlike tha vast majority of Libs here.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
11:57 am
md
February 13th, 2013
11:13 am
No md, I’m calling you an idiot because that’s what I see. Not grasping or groping, just stating the obvious. If it walks like a duck….you get it.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
11:58 am
I’m guessing that you spent most of 2008 under the surface of the ocean.
You got a problem with that?!?!
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
12:00 pm
Aesopp, Jay has a chart up that you might want to take a look at.
At your invitation, Cherokee, I took a gander at Bookman’s column. As expected, he immediately reached for the race card, in keeping with his POS character. Pretty lame rhetorical advice, but extremely popular on the Left side of the aisle for 4 years running.
md
February 13th, 2013
12:00 pm
“No md, I’m calling you an idiot because that’s what I see. Not grasping or groping, just stating the obvious. If it walks like a duck….you get it.”
Suit yourself Willie…..and don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of company on the low road as some just can’t help themselves……good luck in life.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
12:02 pm
LOL @ Aquagirl.
Hey, maybe you and sail might hit it off, although I think he may be a tad out of your age range. That is unless you think grey fins are distinguishing on a sailfish.
willie lynch
February 13th, 2013
12:06 pm
md
February 13th, 2013
12:00 pm
Thanks!
bluecoat
February 13th, 2013
12:06 pm
You would think these cons could set up a podium and a glass of water.They desire to go from Water Boy to President in one fell swoop.Dream on.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:10 pm
bruno
Yes, it was a long eight years and I was running deep,
but about the deficit? Nary a peep.
In comes obama, then starts the drama..oh mama!
Bush went down in the polls mainly because the iraq fiasco was hitting its crescendo and people realized that we took our eye off the ball. I like president obama, he is a very skilled orator (witness rubio). I absolutely do not agree with obama on every issue but I do when it comes to the deficit fixation. The answer is jobs, jobs, and more jobs! You would think both parties would be so motivated.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
12:11 pm
You would think these cons could set up a podium and a glass of water.
I do have to give Rubio or his team credit for tweeting a picture of bottled water right after the speech. Heh.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
12:18 pm
“His ethnicity is icing on the cake.”
Kyle could you expand on the statement above?
Didn’t Rubio take office in Jan 2011?
Did Obama receive less or more of the Hispanic vote both nationally and in FL from 08 to 12? Is the younger Cuban population voting in the same patterns as their elders or is that starting to trend differently?
If it is more, I’m not seeing the inroads that you seem to be seeing based on the last sentence of your article.
Maybe I am missing something or are you just “Keeping Hope Alive”?
LOL
Side note: While not agreeing with all of his policies, I do think he does a good job and will serve the people of FL in a positive manner
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
12:20 pm
“You got a problem with that?!?! ”
Ha!
Always worth the read…
the red herring
February 13th, 2013
12:28 pm
Even the AP fact check showed just how many lies Obama is willing to tell. It’s not worth anybody’s time to listen to him as it’s just more of the same bull manure. Both Rubio and Rand Paul’s talks were dead on the money (or lack of it). We must change the direction Obama is taking us and fast. It will be up to the young people to begin to see the differences in a socialistic country and a free republic. They are beginning to see the light and will soon shun the likes of harry reid, nancy pelosi, and Obama for the spendaholics they are. Not to mention their ability to tell one lie after another. It’s just sad that we have to wait 4 years to get rid of this guy.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:33 pm
I eat herring for breakfast but almost regurgitated it with the mention of rubio being dead on… more like dead on arrival.
md
February 13th, 2013
12:34 pm
“His ethnicity is icing on the cake.”
I’m guessing it’s more about human nature…..people have a tendency to relate to those that may be like them.
I don’t think it is hard to find stories on the internet where blacks voted for Obama due to the significance of the event…..the first black President of the United States.
I wouldn’t think it would be much different with any other group for that type event.
Will Latinos vote for the first Latino President?
Will Asians vote for the first Asian President?
Will women vote for the first female President?
Does it have to do with breaking the proverbial glass ceiling?
I guess time will tell…..
Politico
February 13th, 2013
12:36 pm
md
Just asking Kyle to expand on his statement. That is all.
MarkV
February 13th, 2013
12:36 pm
md @ 11:51 am
“One is predicated on assumptions of a whole range of variables while the other is basic math Mark.”
You want to talk about nonsense? When it is mostly about FUTURE of Medicare, and you have to assume values for a whole host of variables for your “basic math?”
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
12:37 pm
Always worth the read…
Yeah, if you can endure Kyle’s site, infested with hate towards us water-dwellers. And never a word from him about such flagrant disregard.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:40 pm
md
Would a fish vote for a fish? Not really, can’t stand sharks; always the bully in these parts.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 13th, 2013
12:42 pm
I didn’t know Planet Moonbat had water on it?? Oh yeah, the Great Fever Swamps. I forgot.
Never mind.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:49 pm
aesop
Why are you so down on everything? Must be that repub gene, don’t worry there’s a treatment for it; one dose of rachel maddow daily and one bill maher a week – you’ll be tripping the light fantastic in no time…cheers!
JDW
February 13th, 2013
12:50 pm
@Tiberius…”I try not to make such stupid statements.”
Hummmm…I think Forrest had you pegged…
“Stupid is as stupid does”
md
February 13th, 2013
12:51 pm
“You want to talk about nonsense? When it is mostly about FUTURE of Medicare, and you have to assume values for a whole host of variables for your “basic math?””
Are you having trouble reading the stories mark…..since when is the present considered the future? I even typed it twice for you. OK, I’ll do it a 3rd time, but this will be the last time and I’ll have to move on.
“The result is a Medicare system that only pays for one third of itself. The shortfall is made up — in part — from other sources of revenue.”
That means it’s currently not paying for itself mark, we are having to use money from other sources to currently fund the program. Why do you think we have such a huge debt? Because we have to borrow money to pay our bills…….and that includes Medicare.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
12:56 pm
“Yeah, if you can endure Kyle’s site, infested with hate towards us water-dwellers. And never a word from him about such flagrant disregard.”
Yeaaahh, a little does go a long way…
Laissez faire ideology, I guess
Or as Bruce C. phrases it, “Idolatry of ideology…”
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
12:57 pm
JDW
Hey, nice work on the deficit and how it came to be, it’s the plain TRUTH however, many of the conned can’t handle the truth so they create a myth and endlessly catapault the propaganda and….it works! For them but not the reality based world.
JDW
February 13th, 2013
12:57 pm
@Aseop…”You libs are blaming the 2009 stimulus on Bush”
You need to catch up with reality…the stimulus was passed in 2009 not spent. In fact less than $200 billion was spent in 2009. Of the $1.4 trillion in deficit spending in 2009 Duhbya was directly responsible for $1.2 of it.
southpaw
February 13th, 2013
12:59 pm
H20XX @12:37
Can you water dwellers stand one water dweller wannabe? I didn’t get a chance to dwell in the water last year, and this year doesn’t look promising. Maybe soon, though.
Sigh…
In the meantime, your comments have jogged my memory just a bit. I remembered a song you might like, and a pretty good video is with it now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKwRW0l-Qk
This one is probably worth hearing again. Or maybe hearing for the first time, if it’s been around longer than you. A gentleman doesn’t ask a lady such things…
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
1:00 pm
MarkV: As for the future, it is interesting to see some people arguing against scientific models containing assumptions (md, February 12th, 2013@6:39 pm: “No Mark, what is most disturbing is that models are used that contain assumptions…”), and then arguing using assumptions in prediction models in the much more uncertain field of economics and human behavior.
md: One is predicated on assumptions of a whole range of variables while the other is basic math Mark. Or did you miss the part about already having to borrow the money from other sources to pay for the program?
md–Although you well addressed MarkV’s statement, I thought it was worth highlighting one more time as a demonstration of how stupid and uninformed he is. Which wouldn’t be a problem unto itself if he didn’t have such a bad attitude.
From last night:
MarkV: Another piece of hogwash, and if that is an example of Mr. Dyson’s knowledge, then calling him a “brilliant scientist” is a travesty. Models are used in every field of science, and Mr. Dyson contradicts himself thoroughly in that one quoted claim. “They do not begin to describe the real world we live in…” Apparently, to Mr. Dyson, motions of atmosphere and the oceans is “not the real world we live in.” Which world is it?
In case you are unfamiliar with Freeman Dyson, MarkV, he is probably the most brilliant mathematician/theoretical physicist who didn’t win the Nobel Prize. His greatest claim to fame was in demonstrating that the “path integral method” of calculation for quantum electrodynamics advanced by Richard Feynman was equivalent to the “operator method” developed independently by Julian Schwinger and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga. Almost up there with Euler’s discovery of God’s Equation e^i x pi -1 = 0. As such, I think Mr. Dyson knows a little bit more about scientific modeling than you do. His comment had nothing to do with your kindergarten-level discovery that no model = reality, and a lot more to do with the fact that the current computer models which are driving the global warming scare are crap.
Bruno
February 13th, 2013
1:02 pm
Yeah, if you can endure Kyle’s site, infested with hate towards us water-dwellers. And never a word from him about such flagrant disregard.
If it means anything to you, AquaGirl, I enjoy reading your posts and feel that you add a lot to the conversation here, even if you never seem to call out the ugly on your own party.
Keep on rocking!!
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
1:03 pm
Well then.
Have discovered this blog does foresee the need to filter SOME words, AG.
Such as a portion of the name of the Canadian folk-rock guitarist Bruce “koh-bərn”.
And not really his fault. He didn’t have a hand in it…
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
1:07 pm
This one is probably worth hearing again. Or maybe hearing for the first time, if it’s been around longer than you.
Nope, that song is particularly memorable because I remember the screechfest with my mom when I tried to purchase the 45 with my allowance.
Maybe she was right, look how I’ve ended up after listening to such demon-infested music.
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
1:07 pm
bruno
Sorry, but my fins are still true blue and I always like to swim against the current, makes life a more challenging.
Aquagirl
February 13th, 2013
1:20 pm
Well thanks Bruno, but I don’t think of Democrats as “my party” except by default. There’s really no party for limited government and the Republicans have gone insane, so that’s how I usually vote. I mean, if it’s a big-government politician vs. a big-government politician who sounds bat$#!^ insane, there’s really not much of a choice there.
Ray
February 13th, 2013
1:32 pm
Giving the rebuttal to the SOTU is a thankless job, and very risky for a politician. You are almost always going to look small compared to the President. And, simple things like repeatedly wiping sweat off your temples or lips, or the now infamous water awkward bottle reach, reminds people how experienced our presidents are (and conversely how inexperienced the rebuttal-ist was) . Big moment optics can be hard to over come.
Rubio struck a good tone, but when it turned personal and ugly, where he essentially called President Obama a liar, he turned off the 51% who care a great deal for our president, or those who find bad manners unbecoming a US Senator. It was not necessary.
I hope Senator Rubio is successful, and brings this nation together.
Just Saying..
February 13th, 2013
1:38 pm
Today in Georgia, Republican Senatorial candidate Paul Broun said:
“http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/political-insider/2013/feb/13/paul-broun-i-was-first-call-obama-socialist/”
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
1:39 pm
ray
Interesting comment..not a rubio fan but it really has to be the toughest assignment to follow the potus..every experience helps you grow and this was probably one of those for rubio.
It’s not him personally, just the same old party line, they definitly need a makeover and quick.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
1:40 pm
Oh dear, all the little water babies here have their scales ruffled. And nobody cares!! Sob!! Nobody luvs ‘em! Sob! Sob!! Aquagirl is all “torn up”.. Sailfish can hardly flip his tail in dispair. Just Saying can’t say a word. JDW takes the bait on a sharp hook. Politico finds out he’s a barnacle. Oh cry an ocean!!
I don’t know why they feel that way. Why the nicest farewell notes written have been posted here, all hoping the water babies will enjoy a fine time at Bookman’s! How can such pleasantries be ignored? This is definitely a question for Miss Manners.
\
md
February 13th, 2013
1:44 pm
“You need to catch up with reality…the stimulus was passed in 2009 not spent. In fact less than $200 billion was spent in 2009. Of the $1.4 trillion in deficit spending in 2009 Duhbya was directly responsible for $1.2 of it.”
One is quite welcome to keep posting that kind of stuff, but it doesn’t make it true:
” Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) — President-elect Barack Obama asked the Bush administration to notify Congress he plans to seek the remaining $350 billion in financial-rescue funds, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
Obama, who takes office on Jan. 20, called President George W. Bush this morning about 20 minutes after Bush said in his final White House news conference that he was willing to act on the president-elect’s behalf if asked. ”
And then there was a bunch of appropriations bills throughout 2009….none of which was signed by Bush.
A budget is a proposal, spending is an entirely different subject.
Dusty
February 13th, 2013
1:45 pm
Didn’t I say we were good to the waterbabies here at Kyle’s place? Why, look at Bruno, throwing sweet things at AquaGirl She’s blowing little rainbow bubbles already. You just have to know how to do it. Right, Bruno?
sailfish
February 13th, 2013
1:48 pm
dusty
Scales ruffled? Nah…swimming with the flow and just eating my share of bait fish. By the way, stay away from that burger king fish sandwich, I have it on good authority that it’s my misunderstood neighbors the barricuda…they tell me to pass this on: Try chik-fil-a!
Reality
February 13th, 2013
1:53 pm
Times change but the tune never does.
Republicans – and this includes the ones posting here – just don’t get it and never seem that they will. The American people doen’t like your hate. The American people don’t buy into your Bull. The American people KNOW that you cannot cut taxes and expect to lower the deficit AND prosper. The American people really do want to raise taxes on the most wealthy – for them to pay their ‘fair share.’ The American people are tired of republican road-blocks in Congress.
Do I really need to continue?
Stop with your absolutely ridiculous statements that YOU repeat and seemingly only YOUR KIND listen to. No one else is.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
1:55 pm
rubio’s water bottle went viral but his career ended when he said w did a great job.
You can’t fix a stupid party.
Just keep marginalizing the cons.
Politico
February 13th, 2013
1:55 pm
Dusty
And what exactly did I say to be including in your usual ignorant nasty nothing?
Politico
February 13th, 2013
1:56 pm
Dusty
Are the Dems still in control of the House?
bwhahahahahahahaha
jms
February 13th, 2013
1:58 pm
I guess we’ll just keep playing games and ignoring our debt and deficit problem right up until the moment our house of cards comes crashing down. I wish we would come together on this but I’m not very optimistic.