I never expected Obama to genuinely shift to the center, but I did expect a more significant feint in that direction than we’ve seen tonight. Sure, the president’s used patriotic language to justify his spending plans. He’s even made non-committal remarks about being willing to look at medical malpractice reform and such. Oh yes, he’s called for ROTC to return to elite campuses. But that’s about it. This is the same Obama as ever. The emphasis is almost entirely on spending, investment, call it what you will. Not only is the substance unchanged, the rhetoric hasn’t shifted much either. There’s certainly nothing here like “The era of big government is over.” If this speech is any indication, tonight’s politeness on the part of the president and his audience notwithstanding, we’re in for a battle over big versus smaller government from the get-go. I repeat: Where is the shift to the center?
I could not bear to watch it. So I didn't it. I figured he'd pivot, triangulate, move to center etc. etc. etc. whatever whatever, and that would mean a forgiving electorate, Obama in 2012 and ObamaCare forever.
(Can't help it; I am still struggling with Obama Derangement Syndrome.)
I hope you are right that there was none of that. It makes the conservative and Republican job that much easier. We really will be able to lay out a distinct choice for the electorate in 2012.
I am anxious and eager to read the take of others on NRO.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA leapard can't change it's spots. His ideology is ingrained in him. He can try to dress it up in pretty words hoping the 'dimwits' can't see through it, but he should remember actions speak louder than words.
We know what he's done & what he wants to do. He can't change that no matter how he tries to dress it up.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePoor Stanley Kurtz. Obama will leave office having never created the Ministry of Truth, having never declared martial law, having never added Ford to his portfolio of government-owned auto companies. In fact, by the time Obama leaves office, the government will have gotten rid of just about everything it was forced to buy up when Wall Street drove the values down to nothing. Even worse, people will still be choosing their own doctors, driving their own cars to work, even putting as much salt on their fries as they want. The dumb ones will still be smoking and some of them will even be trying to quit. Obama and Ayers won't collaborate on a book. Obama won't go off to live in Kenya. And no one will be saying, "The Obama Socialist Experiment is over." Except Stanley Kurtz.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse“I wonder you will be still talking, Signior Benedick: no one marks you."
Much Ado about Nothing, I. i. 119
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDon't be a booger MikeB..."poor Stanley Kurtz" is that how he'll feel or how you believe he'll feel? No one is a psychic (excepting psychics of course), nothing quite rolls out as theories predict, but I do believe the President would follow through on those things if allowed (tough when you can't just force it through). That's in part based on "how I believe he feels" though.
*I was just having fun with the "booger" remark, it popped into my head, I got a kick out of the word for some reason and didn't feel you would truly be offended.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNot offended at all. Here's some more fun. This scene reminds me of Stanley Kurtz:
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