The pep-rally atmosphere was inappropriate and disconcerting, but President Obama turned in a magnificent performance. This was a non-accusatory, genuinely civil, case for civility, in stark contrast to what we’ve read and heard over the last few days. He subtly rebuked the Left’s finger-pointing, and rose above the rancor of both sides, exactly as a president should. Tonight, he re-captured some of the tone of his famous 2004 convention speech. Well done.
No.
With all due respect, NO. Do *not* praise this speech.
I will say this in every thread: this was NOT a teachable moment, Mr. President.
He could have addressed the rancor in another venue. The SOTU, a different speech, ANYWHERE but here.
This? This was disgraceful.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI was in a local diner having supper, and they had the TVs tuned to it. They were just introducing the President as we finished eating and left, so I didn't see his performance. I did see some of the performance before that, though, and as I walked out, I asked, "Is this a memorial or a political rally?" What in blue blazes is wrong with these people?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI was also cringing at the hootin' an' hollerin' that the crowd exhibited, but Obama did a very good job with his speech. He was both presidential and comforting; that isn't something I thought I'd ever say.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe President delivered a simple challenge to all of us to be better and treat each other with civility. Well done, indeed.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe needed to call out the Left specifically and didn't do it. He failed!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDave, get a grip. It was a deft, graceful, statesmanlike speech. You are being petty.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf the president's own party does not heed the call, won't this speech ultimately make him seem weak and irrelevant?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo Moderately Libertarian, were you comforted by the speech or are you just guessing that others were? Let us know how long that comfort lasts before you start to resent his next move.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"The pep-rally atmosphere was inappropriate and disconcerting..."
Inappropriate and disconcerting? Are you kidding? It was and out & out disgrace to the deceased, wounded, and their families. If Obama had a modicum of humility he would have asked for the crowd to cut it out.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI thought most of the speech was fine. The hooting and hollering did seem more like a pep rally than a memorial.
But I disagree about the civility thing - it was IRRELVANT. I don't think he even should have mentioned anything at all about the accusations as wrong as they were and are.
He should have just stuck to the Memorial subject matter.
But overall, I can't say it was a bad speech except for that.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNot to be contrarian, and just so everyone knows I did not see the speech, but I have to ask:
If the President used this moment to talk about civility in our political discourse, to me, that's simply using tragedy to push an agenda. So far, we have no evidence that shows political rhetoric was a motivating factor. So to bring up civility in our political rhetoric is simply using dead bodies to push some sort of irrelevant agenda.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFunny. Our betters say it was a "magnificent performance" and none of them quote a single line from the speech.
A week from now no one will remember single thing he said.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDid anyone notice how emphatically Obama said "it did not" in response to a lack of civility "causing" the event. Sounded like a rebuke to the Professional Left.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA "magnificent performance" Mr. Lowry? For the love of God! This was a disgusting display on so many levels. Even Krauthammer is kissing O's hiney on this one. Are you freaking kidding me?
I hate to say it; the country is finished. It's over people. It was a real fun ride, but we're done.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGlad you have decided to take the civility course, it makes it so much easier to stifle political debate. Now, who is serving the tea and how it the weather? Lowry, get a grip man, you need to see that the potus delivered the dem talking points and mentioned a few other, unimportant details. All in all, the political rally was quite exciting and I'm sure the students will go back to their dorms and spend the night chatting about obama.....which was the point of all this, correct?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI really can't believe how easy it is to whoo the D.C. crowd on this website. It is pretty rudderless to go on praising this. The speech doesn't have to be ridiculed, but this pep rally shouldn't be lifted up as more than it is.
By the way Rich, the love fest on the Tweet Tracker was interupted by Dave Weigel who said, "I didn't think Sarah Palin's speech could have seemed any smaller, but there you go". So while you and Ed Morrisey and Jonah held hands, Dave couldn't just let it go.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"If Obama had a modicum of humility he would have asked for the crowd to cut it out."
worth repeating
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDid anyone doubt that NR would fall all over themselves praising the speech?'
As usual, so-called "Conservatives" are way too willing to turn the other cheek and just surrender.
And who, other than the families involved, needs comforting? How has any of this affected our daily lives?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI concur with Rich.
I didn't mind the cheering THAT much, since it was mainly directed at the victims who survived and those who helped take down Loughner, but I wished it had been a little more isolated and a little less boisterous. But I don't pin that on Obama.
But yes, I thought it was a great speech. I think it will resonate with those who are not so wrapped up in the debate over rhetoric. I think we should all want that.
I also hope it will cause some of those who were so quick to blame factors that clearly had nothing to do with this tragedy to genuinely reconsider their positions, but I'm less optimistic about that. But in the end, I'm not really so concerned about getting them to change their minds...I just want the larger public that's less invested in demonization based on politics to see those ridiculous leaps of logic for exactly what they were.
I guess we'll see what effect this speech has on the conversation over the next few days, but for now I think it was appropriate and commendable.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat a horrifying disgraceful spectacle. A memorial service with all the solemnity and decorum of UFC 124.
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