Yes, Obama made a great State of the Union speech. He was energized and bold, yet conscious of the pain many families feel, all while still managing to poke some fun now and then. But what is interesting to me, and what I’d like to focus on, are how the Republicans react. Every year, watchful eyes scan the crowd to see who applauds what. Last year, Obama addressed a joint session of Congress to talk health care and the highlight of crowd watching happened when Senator Graham started clapping, then halted halfway through after realizing his GOP brothers were withholding.
This year, I noticed a lot less reaction shots from specific members of Congress. However, there were 2 moments that struck me as very odd and they came from the Republican body as a whole.
1) Obama declares he will fight to get our money back from the banks who received the taxpayer bailout. GOP sat in their seats with their hands folded while the rest of the chamber stood and applauded.
I understand Obama is the opposition party to the GOP. But certain things go beyond partisanship. The GOP touts themselves as the party of the the people, watching out for the regular guy. Where are they on this? Americans of both parties are furious the big banks received our money and were so reckless with it. They are furious to hear about the extravagant weekend retreats in Vegas and the incomprehensible bonuses they gave themselves, after they led this country into a recession. And the GOP does not applaud the idea of getting that money back?
2) Obama said we should strip away tax breaks companies receive when they ship American jobs overseas. Again, the GOP sat and stared.
Naturally, the spin cycle is already on for both parties. I read several Republican responses to Obama’s SOTU Address and they all talk about the need to cut taxes and create jobs. Well, the Obama Administration has cut taxes and they have saved jobs. And yet, the GOP does not applaud the idea of punishing those who send our jobs away? Just what do they stand for? Just who do they represent?
A great line, among many, from Obama tonight was when he stated, “Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it’s not leadership.” Yet, that’s exactly what the GOP continues to show the American people when they refuse to give even the tiniest hand clap for issues that don’t require any partisan stance.
