All Three Networks Agree: Obama Sounded 'Reaganesque' in State of the Union
During coverage of President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, all three broadcast networks, CBS, NBC and ABC, managed to compare the tone of the speech to that of Ronald Reagan. Reporters and pundits uniformly praised the supposed optimism of Obama. [Audio available here]
On CBS, Evening News anchor Katie Couric touted how political analyst Jeff Greenfield thought it was "down right Reaganesque" and that "some" have argued "this could be his Reagan moment." Greenfield himself declared: "He kept talking about winning the future and that was always a big theme about Reagan....the constant reiteration of optimism....he was clearly striking rhetorical notes that reminded me of Mr. Reagan."
View video below
Meanwhile, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams noted how "The President [is] very sensitive lately, highly bothered by any kind of defeatism...that's part of what he went after tonight." Correspondent Andrea Mitchell chimed in: "That's exactly what he was trying to get after and I think he was trying to invoke the optimism, the can-do spirit that brings to mind Ronald Reagan in these settings."
As Brent Baker earlier reported on NewsBusters, ABC This Week host Christiane Amanpour proclaimed that Obama's address was "full of sunny optimism, very Reaganesque, on and on about American exceptionalism in many, many instances and full of Kennedyesque encouragement to break a new frontier. That Sputnik moment was remarkable."
Later in the CBS coverage, Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer reiterated the Reagan comparison: "[Obama's] Reagan moment was when he made that speech in Tucson. But I think he kind of built on that tonight. I thought this speech was something of an extension of that speech." Greenfield replied: "I think you're totally right."
It got to the point where even Couric wanted to move on to talk about the substance of the speech: "I don't mean to rain on your parade in terms of how eloquent this speech was, but really, realistically, [political analyst] John Dickerson, let me ask you, while these guys are kvelling over the President. I mean, how long will this last?"
[According to Merriam-Webster.com, 'kvelling' is a Yiddish term meaning: "to be extraordinarily proud." In fact, this is the example of the word's usage that is provided: "Proud grandparents who kvell over every thing that their precious little darlings do."]
Here is a partial transcript of the January 25 exchange on CBS:
10:14PM ET
KATIE COURIC: There was a lot of story-telling tonight, Jeff, and White House officials told me today that the President felt he's been sort of insulated and hasn't communicated enough stories with the American people. And in many ways, you felt this speech tonight was almost down right Reaganesque. There have been some comparisons made in recent days about how this could be his Reagan moment. Do you think it was in any way?
JEFF GREENFIELD: I think there was certainly an effort on several grounds. One, the story-telling was woven throughout the speech. Every political point or policy point he wanted to make was illustrated with that. Second, it was the future. He kept talking about winning the future and that was always a big theme about Reagan. It's not left/right, it's the past versus the future. And perhaps most of all, the constant reiteration of optimism. 'We do big things, there isn't a person here who would trade places with anyone else on Earth. I know we'll get there.' That's almost like Martin Luther King, 'I've been to the mountain top.' So in that sense he was clearly striking rhetorical notes that reminded me of Mr. Reagan.
COURIC: And John Dickerson, we can't have a big policy discussion, but he was pretty short on specifics, other than that five-year domestic spending freeze that will save $400 billion over ten years. He didn't talk that much, specifically, about short-term job creation or spending cuts did he, John?
JOHN DICKERSON: No. The spending cuts were played down. They're in there, but he needed just enough to be able to say he'd done something. But too much spending cuts gets in the way of this uplifting message he was trying to convey, this notion of telling America its story back to itself and so this – too much spending talk would have just obscured that larger message. And he's trying to associate himself with that feeling of uplift.
(...)
BOB SCHIEFFER: You were talking about a Reagan moment. I really think, Jeff, that his Reagan moment was when he made that speech in Tucson. But I think he kind of built on that tonight. I thought this speech was something of an extension of that speech.
GREENFIELD: I think you're totally right. In fact, one of the reasons why the applause was muted is when you're a speech writer you know how to write a speech that gets people on their feet and you also know how to write a speech that people have to listen to. There – this was an explainer speech, 'How did we get here? Why are we in this fix? How do we get out of it?' And there were long moments when I don't think the speech writers or the President – they weren't looking for applause. Certainly not the kind of cheerleading that we've seen.
SCHIEFFER: Can I just say, the one thing that I wonder about, I thought it was a wonderful line when he said it's our 'Sputnik moment,' but I wonder, Jeff and Katie, are there enough Americans alive who will remember? I do, of course, because I was alive when that happened.
GREENFIELD: 75% of Americans were not alive when Sputnik was launched. They might think it's a kind of Jewish soul food.
COURIC: And I want to mention it was launched the year I was born, 1957, and I'm proud to say that on national television. I don't mean to rain on your parade in terms of how eloquent this speech was, but really, realistically, John Dickerson, let me ask you, while these guys are kvelling over the President. I mean, how long will this last? Obviously we've got health care reform looming on the horizon, the Republicans are doing everything they can to dismantle it and there's certainly a lot of areas of disagreement. So do you see this lasting at all?
DICKERSON: Well, we still have that big philosophical disagreement at the center of our politics. It was interesting to see John Boehner clap when the President talked about 100,000 new teachers. Well, that's part of his investment that Republicans before the speech had said, you know, that investment is just spending, it's wasteful sort of old-style Democratic spending. So perhaps the President may have made a little inroads here in terms of some of the spending he wants, might get Republicans to sign on. But the philosophical disagreement is still there and Republicans believe spending has to be cut drastically to get government out of the way so private enterprise can do its thing and create jobs and growth. The President is saying we need some sparks, we need some incentives and nudges here to get private enterprise to create those jobs.
— Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here.
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Comments
Nothing says hope and change
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:08pm.
Nothing says hope and change more than harking back to the commie Soviet Union circa 1957
Most Obama supporters don't even know what Challenger was -- so good luck with that Mr Presdient.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Reagan without the conservatism
Submitted by KC Mulville on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:38pm.
Reagan was optimistic about American because he believed in the power of ordinary Americans, if only the government would get out of the way.
They only heard optimism. The rest fell on deaf ears.
"he was clearly striking
Submitted by jkwtrading on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:07pm.
"he was clearly striking rhetorical notes that reminded me of Mr. Reagan."
I've got to remind those idiots when Reagan spoke he would've looked like a cock roach to a liberal..so Obama must be a cock roach now.
The liberals are in their death spiral down.. despair, illusion are two parts of the death spiral and they are doing both..
Obviously, if the MSM says it, it MUST be true! (sarc)
Submitted by TexasMom0517 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:12pm.
I must assume that the MSM has never heard a Reagan speech, nor do they remember Reagan's Presidency or Reagan's legacy. Dear Heaven, for forty years we have suffered from the mistake of electing Jimmie Carter. Anyone want to take bets on how many decades it will take to clean up the messes that Obama's gotten us into. Unfortunately, I won't live long enough to see it!
P.S. Read Obama's book and see what he REALLY thinks about President Reagan. Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Oh please!!! Gag me!!! These
Submitted by killa37 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:11pm.
Oh please!!! Gag me!!! These are the same phonies (Boy Blunder included) who were RESENTLESS (yes, I made that up!!!) in their ridicule and scorn of Reagan and his character and his vision and his politics!!! But somehow they feel the need to USE Reagan to disingenuously prop up their fake poser. When RR spoke, it was genuine and straight from the heart. When the Kenyan Kreep speaks, it's...................Kenyan Kow Dung.
I've said it many times before - Barry Soetoro couldn't carry RR's socks. Obama IS,WAS, and always WILL BE a total lightweight!!!
Media
Submitted by PrimalElements on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:12pm.
So Obama sounds like someone the media Hated........................HMMMMMMMMMMMMM?
I was about to say. When
Submitted by rwesley2.0 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:09pm.
I was about to say. When they (the MSM) need a good slam piece, they'll rip Reagan up and down. Now, all of the sudden, with the 2012 election looming, somehow being like Reagan is greatness.
Good everloving grief!!
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:17pm.
Good everloving grief!!
Since when is being "Reaganesque" a good thing?
They dubbed Reagan an "amiable dunce" who could nevertheless give a great speech.
Oh, now I get it.
I was thinking about how
Submitted by killa37 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:17pm.
I was thinking about how totally dumb the 'Sputnik moment' line was, actually. How many people who were listening even knew what he was talking about??? I think they could probably relate a lot more to a 'sputter moment'..........which is where our economy has been lately.
The same talking point...............
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:18pm.
You all beat me to the punch, but it is funny they are using that "phrasing as a group".............
He sounded Reaganesque, can we pull out quotes from these very a-hats that called Reagan every name in the book?
Are they saying he wa like the pre-alzheimers Reagan or after?
Do they mean the stupid Reagan or the war mongerer Reagan?
HOW DARE THEY, they bash him for a whole week and now use him as a grand way of saying good job in regards to a progressives speech?
Yeah, I was wondering what
Submitted by killa37 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:45pm.
Yeah, I was wondering what his tutu-wearing ballerina son (with aplogies to ALL ballerinas!!) thinks about this fawning over his supposedly dementia-ridden father.
Yeah, right. Ron Jr-esque.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:19pm.
.
If the greatest conservative
Submitted by Hunter12 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:18pm.
If the greatest conservative icon of the last 50 years had been named Howdy Doody, the pundits would have found President Obam to be Howdy Doody-esque. They aren't really comparing policies and beliefs. They are trying to attach a label to a product irregardless of what's actually inside. Has the White House hired someone from Madison Avenue to work on the 2012 campaign? This is a product re-branding. Do they think it's really going to work? Touting a new and improved flavor didn't work for Coke once people tasted what was in the bottle. We've already had our fill of the product they are trying to push with this new Conservative wrapper.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Of course he reminded them of Reagan, and Kennedy....
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:19pm.
and Clinton.
Boy Barry combed the archives, and blatantly ripped off successful themes from his predecessors.
D'Oh!
So we got Morning in America from Reagan, the new Sputnik from Kennedy (going to the moon), oh yeah, and he also ripped off another Republican, none other than that evil (pseudo) conservative, Newt Gingrich's book title....Winning the Future.
So the alphabet networks are praising the Sun God to their skies for plagiarizing others. They're too stupid to know any better. No wonder Mike Barnicle loves this guy so much.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Ain't it funny
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:21pm.
Ain't it funny they can't find an honorable Democrat President with which they can compare Obama?
Well, some have gone back 70 years to The Penguin
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:22pm.
.
→ The Penguin
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:33pm.
The Penguin makes sense. Wonder who he plans to put into internment camps?
I'm pretty sure he'd start with us, Cool
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:41pm.
BTW, weren't there a bunch camps in Texas?
Be quite a trip for me, though.
Yes, SOL
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:50pm.
There was one at Chrystal City, holding German Immigrants.
But those are our children serving in the Military.
He's going to have to be more precise in his targeting.
I would say more
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:22pm.
I would say more Carteresque....
Remember Jimmy Carter and his Whip Inflation Now! slogan with the WIN buttons???
Well, we now have "Winning the Future"...
When will they start wearing WTF buttons???
LMAO!
Don't they have anyone who thinks these things through?
I want one! WTF!
Submitted by Hunter12 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:24pm.
I want one! WTF!
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
WIN Buttons
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:31pm.
WIN Buttons was Gerald Ford
"Wear a sweater" was Carter.
Thanks, Cool, I stand
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:34pm.
Thanks, Cool, I stand corrected.
Does this mean you won't be
Submitted by Hunter12 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:44pm.
Does this mean you won't be selling "WTF" buttons?
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Heck, no, it's still
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:47pm.
Heck, no, it's still valid!!
I just pinned the WIN button on the wrong president.
Good evening MB
Submitted by cocodrie on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:58pm.
Had you been playing pin the button on the jackass you would have won hands down.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
WTF Winning The Future
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 5:22pm.
And I suggest everyong who has a FB page post a WTF button to support Winning The Future.
Thanks MB
Submitted by texusmc on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:27pm.
my lunch just went all over the key board and monitor. ASNF's hurt! but too funny
WTF buttons...gonna have to use that one if you dont mind. (royalty check forthcoming)
Oh really!!!
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:01pm.
You mean he sounded like THIS REAGAN! or this REAGAN
Give me a break, Obama and his commie Admin are the anti Reagan
I suppose
Submitted by Ashrak on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:45pm.
in some ways he did sound like a Republican in terms of reducing taxes and regulations on business. Out go the subsidies to oil companies, with them goes a great deal of regulation. Lessen the tax rates on them.
Imho, Obama made a fool of himself, again, last night.
I love how Illinois just raise the corporate tax rate, substantially, and the party that controls this state is Obama' own.
The man and his party are a laughing stock.
Iowa and Indiana, Missouri
Submitted by Hunter12 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:57pm.
Iowa and Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin all start off each morning with a short prayer for the continued "success" of the Democrat party in Illinois.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Desperation time
Submitted by Sefton on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:48pm.
This is just all part of the script. The MSM knows that the strategy for the Obama team is to focus on the '12 election, so the meme for re-election is to follow the Clinton model and fade right, invoking the "Reaganesque" term. The sycophantic media will obviously help propagate this sham in their elitist hope that the "indoctrination rhetoric" will convince their audience that The One has found some redeeming qualities that will endear him to independents, while at the same time keep the leftist faithful in line by continually demonizing conservatives as obstructionists to their wants.
It's a makeover that they truly believe many people are stupid enough to fall for. As someone else mentioned earlier, they're desperate to the point of selling their souls - ie. crossing over to lifting up Reagan, someone they typically would describe as their political anti-christ, as the new spirit of change and bipartisanship in The One.
In short, the usual b.s. from the left.
Well at least Mat-Chose didn't get that thrill up his leg
Submitted by Conservator on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:50pm.
Matthews: ‘It was a Jack Kennedy speech’ - The Hardball host shared his thoughts on the State of the Union address, describing it as being about America's ability to meet historical challenges (LOL).
standing in the shadows of greatness
Submitted by MidAmerica on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:51pm.
You can easily spot greatness. Who did Reagan sound like? Reagan of course.
Who are the lower tiered presidents? They are the ones that are compared to Presidents who need no other comparison.
Interesting how democrats are never the next Carter or Clinton. Even when they compare themselves to JFK they are compairing themselves to the myth and not the actual man.
First, isn't it strange how
Submitted by johnsonl on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 1:54pm.
First, isn't it strange how ALL three networks came to the exact same conclusion at the same time?
Almost as if it were planned that way, huh?
Comparing Obamao to Reagan is ridiculous. Obamao has no "real world" experience, no leadership capabilities and hates our country.
Soros coordinated this to make Obamao seem more centrist. Don't forget that he resumed campaigning today.
It's a really problem. You
Submitted by Hunter12 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:25pm.
It's a really problem. You get your directives on how to respond, the word of the day, or what to highlight and you don't want to seem as if you are following the lead of another network so you have to spout it out as soon as you get your orders. After all, how mant people watch more than one network? Is there any estimate on how many days he hasn't been campaigning? I'd put it somewhere around the sum of his days on vacation and the days spent playing golf.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
You are right Jonsonl
Submitted by texusmc on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:31pm.
i was about to point out the same thing. They had a meeting to get the "Speech" early this way all of their commentary matched. spoon fed to them, spoon fed to us, all the same stuff.
"Reaganesque"
Submitted by sarge329 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:01pm.
"Reaganesque" ? Does that mean that BHO wants to be like RWR, or simply sound like RWR? To paraphrase a remark that someone directed at Mr. Quayle some years ago, " You, sir, are no Ronald Reagan " .
Just who do they think they are
Submitted by wingnut55 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:10pm.
It is amazing to me that all these liberals tell us just how Reagan sounded and what he stood for. Did they ever understand what he did for this country and what he stood for?? Where do they get off telling us about Reagan? They never supported him when he was in office and now they understand everything about him. I don't think so.
Climbing the Ladder
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:18pm.
First he was the New Lincoln, then he was the New Kennedy, now he's the New Reagan. Who will he be next? Obama has climbed some many rungs, assumed so many identities, in the last three years that he left himself behind somewhere.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
next rung
Submitted by texusmc on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:35pm.
the new George W Bush!
now wouldnt that make their little leftist heads explode!
Obama was never "himself"
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 2:44pm.
Obama was never "himself."
He was always trying to be what he thought he had to be to get ahead.
He admits he was that way in his youth and in college; trying to "fit in" to ther "right" group.
When he entered politics, he did what was expected (becoming a Christian) in order to have a church to work from as a community organizer.
When Rev. Wright became a liability, he disowned him.
He went to church in D.C. on Christmas!!!
Expect him to be a more regular attendee now that he is looking to 2012.
He's now going back to the same things he campaigned (can we still say "campaign"?) on in 2008...jobs, infrastructure, education; as if they are new problems that have just sprung up.
Was he not with himself when he was ignoring these things for the past two years??
He was and still is a blank slate, reflecting back what his fans want to see in him.
There is nothing there...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:03pm.
Obama's an empty vessel and always will be. It's all an illusion with him...He's a chameleon. Obama will be whatever he needs to be for that moment. There is no substance there, no conviction(s)...There never has been and there never will be. When he leaves office, whether it's in '12 or in '16, the American people will still not really know who he is.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Reaganesque
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 3:18pm.
Let's compare and contrast, shall we? The following is from Reagan's innaugural address (I bookmarked this great site quite a while ago....so we can shoot down these idiot media types).
It is not his entire speech of course, but if you hit that link, you can read the rest of it. But I just wanted to show the idiot media what "Reaganesque" is all about, and there wasn't one thing in Obama's little boring lecture last night that was remotely similar. [Emphasis mine to indicate Reaganesque in direct opposition to Obama's blather, in some instances I needed both bold AND italics to point out Reagan's brilliance]:
Senator Hatfield, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President, Vice President Bush, Vice President Mondale, Senator Baker, Speaker O'Neill, Reverend Moomaw, and my fellow citizens:
To a few of us here today this is a solemn and most momentous occasion, and yet in the history of our nation it is a commonplace occurrence. The orderly transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution routinely takes place, as it has for almost two centuries, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of ma in the world, this every-4-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.
Mr. President, I want our fellow citizens to know how much you did to carry on this tradition. By your gracious cooperation in the transition process, you have shown a watching world that we are a united people pledged to maintaining a political system which guarantees individual liberty to a greater degree than any other, and I thank you and your people for all your help in maintaining the continuity which is the bulwark of our Republic.
The business of our nation goes forward. These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions. We suffer from the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrift, and crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike. It threatens to shatter the lives of millions of our people.
Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment, human misery, and personal indignity. Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity.
But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future for the temporary convenience of the present. To continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social, cultural, political, and economic upheavals.
You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time. Why, then, should we think that collectively, as a nation, we're not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. And let there be no misunderstanding: We are going to begin to act, beginning today.
The economic ills we suffer have come upon us over several decades. They will not go away in days, weeks, or months, but they will go away. They will go away because we as Americans have the capacity now, as we've had in the past, to do whatever needs to be done to preserve this last and greatest bastion of freedom.
In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price.
We hear much of special interest groups. Well, our concern must be for a special interest group that has been too long neglected. It knows no sectional boundaries or ethnic and racial divisions, and it crosses political party lines. It is made up of men and women who raise our food, patrol our streets, man our mines and factories, teach our children, keep our homes, and heal us when we're sick—professionals, industrialists, shopkeepers, clerks, cabbies, and truckdrivers. They are, in short, "We the people," this breed called Americans.
Well, this administration's objective will be a healthy, vigorous, growing economy that provides equal opportunities for all Americans with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination. Putting America back to work means putting all Americans back to work. Ending inflation means freeing all Americans from the terror of runaway living costs. All must share in the productive work of this "new beginning," and all must share in the bounty of a revived economy. With the idealism and fair play which are the core of our system and our strength, we can have a strong and prosperous America, at peace with itself and the world.
So, as we begin, let us take inventory. We are a nation that has a government—not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth. Our government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of government, which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed.
It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the States or to the people. All of us need to be reminded that the Federal Government did not create the States; the States created the Federal Government.
Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it's not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work—work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it.
If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price.
It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government. It is time for us to realize that we're too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We're not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope.
As I was highlighting the points I wanted you to focus on, I was sorely tempted to insert my own editorial as to where what Reagan SAID....and actually DID....Obama merely mouthed the platitude without the underlying philosophy of individual responsibility and government getting the hell out of the way. You all know me well enough to know what I would very sarcastically say about Obama vs. Reagan.
But Reagan's words soar on their own, read them and be comforted. We will get rid of this fakir in the White House. Don't give up, in fact, print a copy of this off and send it to your Senators and Representative. Don't let them forget, either.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Very good Blonde
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 3:48pm.
Reaganesque my fanny. Reagan understood economics, he understood how our liberties made this the greatest wealth producing nation ever. Obama thinks he can control the economy, while destroying wealth? Reagan wanted to unleash individual entrepreneurship, Obama hopes to crush it, making everyone a dependent of the Fed.
Reaganesque my fanny!
Thanks, Boudin...glad you took the time to read it
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 3:56pm.
If I were an up and coming Tea Party politician, I would quote Reagan at every opportunity.
I read that speech, and it really lifted my spirits.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I listen to them often
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:13pm.
I know the 64' convention and this one very well. This is what real freedom sounds like.
This just galls me no end...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 3:59pm.
These fools saying that Obama is "Reaganesque" today, are the same ones, who when Reagan was in office, trashed him up one side and down the other. In fact, the only time when the MSM ever makes any positive reference to Reagan, is when they want to compare Obama to him. The media knows how highly regarded Reagan is by the American people, so when they need a device to prop up their beloved, useless Obama, they try to convince us all how "similar" the two men are...What bs...The only thing that these two men have in common is that they are both Americans, and have both been president...Beyond that, they are as different as night and day.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Good evening Blonde
Submitted by cocodrie on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:32pm.
Thanks. You do realize, however, with insight and understanding such as this you've blown any chance of ever being a network newscaster
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Thanks for posting this, Blonde...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:43pm.
Just reading Reagan's words lifts one's spirits, and reminds us all what we are about as a country and as a people...What a great man he was, and what a tremendous legacy he left us all.
Amazing.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Hey j..
Submitted by Gary Hall on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:48pm.
Mmm.. seems a bit "factual," from where I sit.
... and "perfect," as well!
(;~> gary
Ah yes, those Pesky Facts!
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 5:18pm.
I learned the technique from a Master!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Those networks hated Reagan.
Submitted by rbosque on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 3:34pm.
Those networks hated Reagan. They're only trying to make conservatives like him, but the fact is we can see through the bullcrap.
All Three Networks Agree
Submitted by Thunder Lizard on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 3:50pm.
That's right. And no one else "agrees" except those networks. It's totally laughable that they are all invoking Reagan. Shows what lengths they will go to in their deciet.
Ron Reaganesque......
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 3:51pm.
Ron Reaganesque......
This is all very amusing.
Submitted by bassndude on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:02pm.
This is all very amusing. Obama coulden't sound "Reaganesque" standing in front of the Berlin Wall saying, "Mr Gorbachef, tear down this wall!" And another thing, I don't think Reagan ever embraced excessive spending and higher taxes. Deficit's, yes, as long as they were manageable. Not trillions of dollars tho.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
Oh Yeah... I can see that
Submitted by donabernathy on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:14pm.
Reagan brought the Soviet Union to it's Knees and Obama Lives on his Knees
roflmao
How insulting....
Submitted by tampamom25 on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:25pm.
Nope, no way, no how did Obama sound Reaganesque. These people are delusional! President Reagan was a patriot in every sense of the word. He had a deep sense of right and wrong and was committed to God, to his country and to the Constitution.
What Obama sounded like was typical Obama....a pompous, looking over his nose at the little people stance, and flowery words that mean nothing because he knows how to say what people want to hear, and also knows that he's going to do whatever he wants to do, so his words mean nothing, absolutely nothing.
Reagan
Submitted by MacWell on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 4:44pm.
The only way this idiot could look, or sound like The Great Ronald Reagan is if he lip-synced one of the great one's speeches. Reagan indeed!
I KID YOU NOT
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 5:19pm.
This is the gods honest truth, I was Googling for some info and I did "Obama was Reaganesque" and I came up with a hit FROM POLITICO that stated Robert Gibbs was running around BEFORE a speech by Oblunder using those REAGANESQUE words as was all of Oblunders crew on the mourning....... shows.
AS I am reading the piece I REALIZE, WTF, this was a story from February 24, 2009 -
President Barack Obama won’t speak until prime-time, but his aides fanned out to the morning shows Tuesday morning to talk up his first speech before a joint session of Congress. And the word they used to preview it: “Reaganesque.”
“The president believes very clearly that we have to be honest with the American people about where we are,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“He will,” Gibbs said, “tell the country that we’ve faced … greater challenges than the ones we face now, but we as Americans always meet those challenges. But in the Reaganesque words, there are always better days ahead.
Deju PEW, all over again
that "better place beyond the horizon"
Submitted by MisterMoney on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 5:50pm.
POTUS used the phrase " that better place beyond the horizon" bringing to my mind the Reagan "Morning in America" speech. So I did a bit of digging and posted this:
SOTU 2011 – President Obama’s State of the Union Address – that better place beyond the horizon
1/26/2011 11:52 AM EST
After listening to the 2011 State of the Union address, I do applaud both the goals and the promises made.
Let us hope the promises are kept.
Near the end, POTUS used a phrase “reach that better place beyond the horizon”. What place was this, I thought, then the words rang a bell with me….
Read more here: http://bit.ly/FreepSOTU
Reaganesque
Submitted by Secret Conservative on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 5:59pm.
Sounds to me like the MSM got their media guides from the White House and followed them to the letter. Although I find it amusing that the guy who two short years ago would have DIED if someone compared him to Reagan now knows that the only way he'll get re-elected in another two years is if he has the media trying to portray him as the second coming of Reagan.
Well, this will likely make Reagan's ballet-dancer son Ron happy...
Im sure the Lame Stream Media
Submitted by All American on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 7:21pm.
Im sure the Lame Stream Media is mis-quoted.....
I believe what they MEANT to say is that Reagan sounded like Obama...
Reaganesque ???
Submitted by 1uncle on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 8:23pm.
Ludicrous..Reagan was legal, sensable. He wasted some money,but, like Bush, he had to deal with a demo congress to get what he wanted.Demos controll congress most of the past 50 years and look where we are, $14 trillion in debt and rising. Need laws stopping benefits for special interest groups NOW.
They're referring to the Alzheimer's Reagan ... right?
Submitted by Crash on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 8:36pm.
Where do these Reagan hating MSM liberals come up with these incoherent comparisons? Remember, "He's just an actor!" EvenTed Kennedy was trying to sabotage Reagan's foreign policy by contacting the Soviet twits. Not to mention, Reagan was Reaganesque from day one! Whereas, Obama is still trying find himself. Keep looking Barry it's probably locked away somewhere along with your birth certificate.
yes he is like Reagan
Submitted by wizardjr on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 8:59pm.
He's like Ralph Reagan, leader of Students For A Cummunist Future, at Champaign/Urbana.
The networks are right for once. Obama's SOTU speech...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Thu, 01/27/2011 - 2:48am.
reminded us all of Reagan...Ron Reagan, that is. (Now I will check and see if someone beat beat me to this.) I wasn't the first. At least a handful of people associated Obama's speech with Ron Reagan, the wayward son, before I did.
Obama is no Ronald Reagan
Submitted by tinydancer on Thu, 01/27/2011 - 8:21am.
Ronald Reagan inspires more Americans today than Barack Obama ever could.
Obama only inspires people who weren't inspired by Reagan, and probably didn't even like him.