lizzie2000

I figured I would start this thread because no one else had and because it just happened tonight. Knowing how the country is divided I thought it would be a good thread.

migamoo

I didn't get a chance to watch it, but I will read a transcript tomorrow probably.

Jacob1983

I didn't get to see a new episode of House because of this.
I honestly don't see what the big deal is about the State of the Union address. It's pretty much the same thing every time. The president, whether Democrat or Republican, gets up on talks about the past and then tells people that things will change and be better. He/she also makes stupid unrealistic problems too. Then at the end, the opposing party makes a big rant about the president.
These speeches always are boring. I'm sure that some politicians in the crowds either sleep, do crossword puzzles, play PSPs, gameboys, or listen to music on their MP3 players while this goes on.

I swear that Jim Webb guy is a loser. Someone needs to show him how to look into a camera and stop freakin laughing and smiling too. That guy is so arrogant and his head is gigantic. I just wonder if his son is a big complainer like he is. I also wonder if Webb's father complained as much he does.
How are we suppose to take this guy serious when he won't stop laughing and smiling? This guy should be on SNL.

migamoo

Jacob forgive me if I don't weep at the loss of a new episode of House. The fact of the point is, the annual address is to tell the public what the state of the Union is. It tells the public what the president is going to try an accomplish in the coming year to hopefully make the country a better place. Whether it does or not is a different story. Some people are really interested in hearing such things, and just because you might not be, doesn't give you the right to whine about missing a TV show that will be back next week.
As for Jim Webb, I don't think he's comfortable behind a camera yet. Some people are camera shy or are just not used to it. I did get to see some of his response, but I didn't see any laughing or smiling. But then again, there are a lot of interviews or Q&A's the president does and he laughs and/or smiles the whole way through. Do you get annoyed with that as well?

Jacob1983

I don't get annoyed with Bush laughing or smiling because that's his personality. He isn't well liked by a lot of people but he is somewhat of a down to Earth person.
Even John Kerry is less of a stiff than Jim Webb is.
Trust me, more people care what happens on House than what happens in American politics. I know that sounds wrong and bad but it's true.

Jim Webb doesn't have experience behind cameras? Wasn't the guy a best selling author? I'm sure the guy has had some experience being interviewed.

lizzie2000

I have to say i was impressed with Jim Webb. I know that the democrats together wrote that speech but i have to say he delivered it well and was the best person for the job. If the democrats had had CLinton of Obama people might say it was becauase of the presidential election but Jim Webb is a perfect person, he has served in the war, his father did also, his brother did, and his son is. He is personally connected to the war in Iraq, more so than almost every other congressman on both sides if the aisle, i think that he delivered the last line about how if Bush doesnt change the war that the democrats would be forced to, perfectly and it was a great way to end the speech. Yeah he isnt the most comfortable behind the camera but then again would you be when you are delivering one of the most important speeches of your life?

As for why people wouldnt want to watch the staet of the Union i have to say Jacob as someone who voices there opinion a lot, i definately would think you would want to watch it more so than a tv show. This is how our country is doing and where the president is taking it. No matter who the president is, or what party they are affiliated with it is importnant as a citizen and a voter to know what is going on. I always say that if you dont vote you shouldnt complain and i think that if you dont watch the state of the union and educate yourselfs about what is going on and our political figures you also shouldnt complain.

ceilirose

I heard Webb's address driving home from work and didn't see the visual which I guess was open to some interpretation. Anyway from his voice and the way he delivered it - it was impressive.

Honestly I don't think someone who has served in battle can hardly be called a crybaby. Since he has such a strong military background he's probably one of those who is furious at how they've been treated in this whole fiasco.

As far as Bush goes - just the same old same old. I find Bush to be infinitely more uncomfortable and stiff in his presentations across the board. He reminds me of when you were in elementary school and had to read your book report before the class...and hated every minute of it.

Now Cheney's look ...after the day he had in regards to the Scooter Libby trial..well I guess that's fodder for another thread.

migamoo

Experience in front of a camera does not equate comfort or ease.

Jacob1983

I actually did watch some of the speech today FYI. However, I am a tv show watcher. There's nothing wrong with me being more interested in House than hearing the president talk.
Please don't tell me that I don't watch the news or vote because I do.

The Democrats are suppose to be the "saviors" and Jim Webb is suppose to be one of their golden boys. Jim Webb is not a perfect person. He is a sinner just like every human being on this planet including me.
Last time, I checked it is not required to serve in a war to be president. If people want only veterans to be presidents then it should be a requirement.
Webb was supposed to talk about the war in Iraq and about what matters. Honestly, I didn't want to hear about his family's history. Tell Larry King or Bill Maher about it but not in a speech like that.

lizzie2000

Cheney is just entertaining to watch... he kept putting something in his mouth, one of the people i was watching it with said it was an anti-heart attack pill. I totally forgot about Libby's trial today, of course Cheney had a great day and then had to sit through this and know that everyone was just rolling their eyes.

Webb did an excellent job delivering the speech and yes he may have been awkward behind the camera but come on, this is the state of the union and he is a junior congressman. Webb has so much military experience it is impressive and made his speech, especially the end even better.

lizzie2000

sorry double post

migamoo

I think Webb used his family as a way to relate to others who were watching. And no one is saying that you're wrong for being more interested in watching House, but you make it sound like it's the end of the world when it's not.

Lexis

His personality is to laugh through a press conference when he's being asked about carnage in Iraq? Or to make jokes about roast pig when he's being asked about rendition? I don't think being a "down to earth" person is excuse for that kind of conduct.

Well, that's pretty sad. And if true, perhaps explains a lot about why Bush is in the White House.

sunnykerr

Jim Webb gave me hope. It's a touchy thing, being a Canadian and commenting on American presidents because, at the end of the day, they're not our leaders. But the politics and economies and just general fates of our two country are so united that it would be impossible to look at the State of the Union in a completely passive manner.

And Jim Webb was awesome. He was articulate, passionate and the goals he laid out are realistic. He based his comments on real events. On the actions of real leaders. And, gosh darn it, he gave me hope that things can change.

As for his level of comfort in front of the camera... I don't think writing a half-dozen books on law and war issues prepares anyone for the national spotlight. I think being the mouthpiece for an enitre party probably comes with its own very specific set of stresses. And I think that, working as I do in the field of journalism, writers usually become writers because they like to observe and not because they're so fond of being observed. Just an observation.

As to military service in relationship to the Oval Office. Obviously, it's not a requirement. Few presidents have ever served. However, it does give some sort of expertise in the manner of waging a war, does it not? And, assuming one doesn't have that expertise, there's nothing wrong with that, but wouldn't one who doesn't have that expertise actually take into account the advice of those who do?

migamoo

The possibility of requiring military service reminds me of Rome. Senators and Consuls were required to have military experience to be a public servant.