SOTU: The White House should have punted the SOTU

Posted: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:36 PM by Hardball

By Chuck Todd

No one can say that Bush’s speech didn’t reflect the gravity of the situation the country is in re: Iraq. He was serious; he was almost smirkless; But it was simply language; he still needs to figure out some way to agree to something the Democrats want on Iraq so as to stop having the Iraq War being viewed as a “Republican War.” He still seems to be in the mode of wanting to prove (or is it plead?) that his way is still the right way in Iraq. Why he doesn’t call the Democrats’ bluff on Iraq is beyond me. This stubbornness on this issue, in political terms, is toxic for the Republican Party going into 2008.

This speech won’t go down in presidential history; but at least there wasn’t a “mission to Mars” challenge. All-in-all, I go back to my original suggestion: the White House should have punted the SOTU this year. Bush needs to consume the Iraq issue the way the war has consumed his presidency.

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Comments

I believe that Webb made much more sound points in his discussion of the Iraq mess and what needs to be done. The mess in Iraq was unnecessary and put our men and women in harms way. Bush made this mess and we are now obliged to straighten it out. Let's listen to someone who actually has combat experience to show us the way out, such as Webb.

Chris Cheshire, Parker, CO (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:43 PM)

Did you see that guy behind bush do the skull and bones hand symbol!

Emily Sahrrock,Coshocton ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:50 PM)

No miision to Mars, but the challenge to cut gasoline use by 20% in ten years may be an even bigger challenge. But he will get the farm (read gasanol) vote from the midwest. Still For Bush to even ADMIT that global warming is an issue to be addressed... That is up there with the parting of the Red Sea

Larry Thompson, Orting WA. (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:52 PM)

I think I heard correctly, but did the decider say he wanted to hire a civilian military force in addition to the US Forces and National Guard.??-- I equate that with hiring mercenaries. Quick - are any private security forces on NASDAQ? I want to invest.

Texazann Phoenix AZ (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:06 PM)

This is truly not a "Republican war". This Civil war is the American peoples' war. Bush, unfortunately saddled us with this war, a war of choice. Also, I agree, he should call the Democrats' bluff. We need fresh ideas. We need a different perspective.

J. Riddle, Concord, California (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:08 PM)

Why was Cheney smiling when GW supported bio fuels?

D. Lehman (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:13 PM)

I think the President's speech was nothing but the same old song and dance. I believe what Senator Hilary Clinton had said, "That we need to cut off the funding going to the Irag's not our troops." The Iraqi government has proven to be just as incompentent as our President on this whole mess. Hey, where is all those Billions have gone to over there? That should be the main question that everyone should be asking. It has not gone to the troops. If it has how do you explain the troops not having proper armor and such????? President Bush is the cause for us to be there and it looks like he will be the cause for the failure as well. Face reality Mr. President, you did NOT do the job past, present or in the future. It is with greatness sadness that he will go down in history as one of the worst Presidents we have ever had.

Tina Brooks, Checotah, Oklahoma (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:54 PM)

Most good democrats like me are really becoming very tired of the DEMS lack of leadeship. We voted to get the War ended; and all Pelosi and Reid want to do is talk about being non-partisan and polite. I like what Jim Webb had to say, and he is safe for 2008, but Pelosi and Reid better watch out! I am so fed up with Pelosi and Reid bowing down to Bush.

Wendell Dorsey, FW, Texas (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:44 AM)

I was wondering if someone in the media, maybe Chris Matthews, could have a discussion panel on every State of the Union Speech President Bush has made. The discussion panel could go over each agenda and idea that President Bush has said he wanted to do and has followed through on. In addition, it will be funny to see what the history books say regarding his presidency after GWB term is over. President obssessed with Iraq, oil, no global warming policies, Katrina victims put on the back burner, never did anything with social security reform, and the list goes on. Interesting state of the union.

Sabastian Long (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 4:19 PM)

Many times, you will get bogged down by the titanic amount of get more traffic data realizable.

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