Tuesday, February 12, 2013

5 Things to Expect at the State of the Union Address

◼ The Nuge is dropping in for Obama's big night as POTUS waxes on job creation like Kevin Kline in Dave - Bridget Johnson/PJM

If his clear frustration over having his immigration speech undercut by senators’ announcement of a bipartisan framework is any indication, he’s hellbent to claim the mantle on what he sees as legacy issues. And if the emerging makeup of his second-term cabinet is as clear of an indicator, he’s drawing a tight circle of loyalists even closer as he plunges ahead with his domestic and foreign policy agenda.

So what can be expected as Obama stands in the chamber before both houses of Congress Tuesday night?

Ready, aim, gun control: Obama’s party says that they’ve invited victims of gun violence to highlight their own legislative aims, but members who are allocating their one guest ticket in this way are filling a chamber full of people Obama can reference and point to during his address as he advocates for stricter gun laws. Dems are even splitting their tickets to fill the seats with gun victims. Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Calif.) is bringing Christopher McDonnell, the father of 7-year-old Newtown victim Grace McDonnell, while Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) is bringing McDonnell’s wife, Lynn. “His presence at the president’s address this Tuesday will also serve as a powerful reminder that victims of gun violence are not just those who perish, but those who suffer from losing a loved one,” Negrete McLeod said.

Connecticut’s senators are expanding the guest list with Richard Blumenthal (D) bringing Newtown Chief Executive Officer Pat Llodra — a Republican, Blumenthal’s office stresses — and Chris Murphy (D) is bringing Newtown Detectives Jason Frank and Dan McAnaspie.

Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas), the shock-jock of the freshman class who has already called for Obama’s impeachment, has invited Ted Nugent as his guest. “I am excited to have a patriot like Ted Nugent joining me in the House Chamber to hear from President Obama,” said Stockman. “After the address I’m sure Ted will have plenty to say.” Meanwhile, Stockman will be live-tweeting the address with the hashtag #youlie — surely he should pay some royalties to Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who earned a formal rebuke from his House colleagues in 2009 after yelling “You lie!” to Obama during a joint session of Congress.

Half the story on sequestration...First-term revisionism...Prom dates...Fight-picking... Read more at the link.

◼ ‘Centrist’ Meme Abandoned, Lapdog Media Encouraging Obama to Head to the Left for SOTU - Stephen Kruiser/PJM

“We love you-don’t disappoint us!”

◼ Ooh, that *scary* Barack Obama’s gonna go after the GOP tonight! - Moe Lane

Now, this is rich:
Here’s what we know about President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night: It will include some news — as in new challenges aimed at Congress — and enough rhetoric about economic growth and job creation to sound familiar to most Americans who worry about continued 8 percent unemployment.

The president’s speech, described by White House officials as an expansion of January’s inauguration theme of “opportunity for all,” will kick off a week of campaign-style Obama travel designed to pressure GOP lawmakers to bend to the wishes of [WHAT THE DEMOCRATS CLAIM IS] a majority of Americans — or risk their election-year wrath.
Yeah, I had to fix that article a bit: I’m a little surprised, though. Usually Real Clear Politics is admirably even-handed about these sorts of things. Maybe the author is new?

◼ Obama Speech Will "Throw Down the Gauntlet" to Congress - Alexis Simendinger/Real Clear Politics


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