So much for all of that Washington talk about a midcourse change of political direction. If President Obama took any lesson from his party's recent drubbing in Massachusetts, and its decline in the polls, it seems to be that he should keep doing what he's been doing, only with a little more humility, and a touch more bipartisanship.

That's our reading of last night's lengthy State of the Union address, which mostly repackaged the President's first-year agenda in more modest political wrapping. "Our administration has had some political setbacks this year, and some of them were deserved," he said, in his most notable grace note.

He also showed more willingness to engage with Republicans than he or his party have shown during the last year of bending to the left on Capitol Hill. But whether this outreach is anything more than rhetoric will depend on a change of policy. And on that score, we heard mostly what Democrats used to say about George W. Bush and Iraq: Stay the course.

That was especially true on the two most important domestic issues of his Presidency—health care and the economy.

On health care, Mr. Obama offered a Willy Loman-esque soliloquy on his year-long effort, as if his bill's underlying virtues and his own hard work haven't been truly appreciated by the American public. He showed no particular willingness to compromise, save for a claim that he was open to other ideas.

And he re-pitched the health bill now in Congress with the same contradiction—covers more people but saves money too—that all but the most devoted partisans long ago dismissed as unbelievable. The President sounded to us like a man who is still hoping Democrats will find a way to sneak this monstrosity into law despite its unpopularity.

Mr. Obama's economic pitch also differed little from last year, when the jobless rate was 7.2%. He offered a spirited defense of the stimulus, though the jobless rate is now 10%, and he promised more of the same this year, especially on "green jobs." He also offered some minor if welcome tax cuts for small business, and $30 billion in handouts for "community banks" to be able to lend more.

Yet at the same time, he couldn't resist more banker baiting, and he promised that he's determined to see tax rates rise for millions of Americans next year when the Bush rates are set to expire. He also pushed more exports while saying he'll raise taxes on some of our biggest exporters, otherwise known as multinationals that "ship our jobs overseas." Mr. Obama believes he can conjure jobs and a durable expansion from the private sector while waging political war on its animal spirits. It can't be done.

This reflects a larger problem, which is his belief that economic growth springs mainly from the genius of government. Thus Mr. Obama presented a vision of an economy soaring to new heights on "high-speed railroad" and "clean energy facilities" and 1,000 people making solar panels in California. He seems not to appreciate that what really drives growth are the millions of risks taken each day by millions of individuals, far from the politicking and earmarks of Congress or the Department of Energy.

Many of the President's opponents will welcome this failure to change because they sense partisan opportunity. But our guess is most Americans will be disappointed because they sense a Presidency that began with such promise but now finds itself at a crossroads and doesn't really know what to do—except to stay on the same road that got it into trouble. This could be a long year.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704094304575029773534378324.html?mod=WSJ_article_MoreIn

There will be no return of jobs under Obama as long as the belief is that "economic growth springs mainly from the genius of government"

it was basically the same old tired a.s.s. rhetoric he's been uttering since before his election, now it's time to shut the hell up and put up....the problem with Mr. President is he's got all these great ideals and not a damn clue how to implement them, course it's not entirely his fault either, I blame every senator, representative and every tax payer for not holding them all accountable. When will the citizens of the U.S. finally stand up and say enough is enough and take back their country before any more of it is sold off abroad.....americans have gotten far too complacent, we need more abby hoffmans and eldridge cleavers

i dont know if any of you have taken a civics course but if congress doesnt pass bills they can't become a law and it's hard to get laws when the opposition stonewalls and blocks legislation just because they don't like the other party and offer solutions. republicans aren't debating they're acting like school children.

You are kidding right?
What part of the Dems having majority in the House and Senate do you not understand?
They had enough votes to pass anything they wanted to without the Repubs. So exactly How did the Repubs stop them from doing anything?

I disagree with four opinions of the author in the OP(it is an editorial of someones opinions,,which is fine).

1st On health care, Mr. Obama offered a Willy Loman-esque soliloquy on his year-long effort, as if his bill's underlying virtues and his own hard work haven't been truly appreciated by the American public. He showed no particular willingness to compromise, save for a claim that he was open to other ideas

Not what I heard. He repeatedly stated his agreement with the public feelings and mostly focused on how Government officials should be carrying out their jobs. And compromise,,is exactly what is being done with the house and senate versions of the bill,,,no one side is going to have EVERYTHING their way,,,


2nd and he promised that he's determined to see tax rates rise for millions of Americans next year when the Bush rates are set to expire

What I heard is that he is determined that those making the most will have the most expected from them, and that those taking jobs from americans to SAVE money, will not be rewarded but will be assumed to have more money to contribute here at home by way of tax.

3rd belief that economic growth springs mainly from the genius of government

I didnt hear him say this,, Id be very surprised if he did....considering our government has been far from genius for a while. I did however hear him place quite a bit of emphasis on how primary the american entrepreneurial mind is and always has been to the economy.

4rd But our guess is most Americans will be disappointed because they sense a Presidency that began with such promise but now finds itself at a crossroads and doesn't really know what to do—except to stay on the same road that got it into trouble

Well, whether it got us into trouble or just didnt get us OUT of trouble as fast as some were hoping is left to be seen,,,but
Although I agree, that many believe laws and policymaking should be a current popularity contest(and many others would see that type of leadership as fleeting, I can hear it now "there he goes, just saying what is popular and what people want to here,,,")
I dont believe(or perhaps I hope) that MOST have more respect for a consistent and strong leadership that focuses on progressive policy and not just popular and which can make tough unpopular decisions as well as those that everyone cheers about.

I enjoyed the Presidents speech, felt refreshed at his confidence in our country. I feel as sure about my choice of candidate as others who didnt choose him. In the end, I think the speech touched on many key points in ways that I was more than satisfied with. There was alot to pick apart, and I am sure many will. I am still very proud of this President, his resolve, his ethics and his apparent determination to start down the road of making this nation as great as it Can be.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I realize that you come here from a place that has a jungle rules but in this country we have 3 branches of law givers . First congress passes the loop hole laws w holes big enough to drive semi. truck threw. 2. We have courts who write the laws as they see fit to do so . 3 . We have the executive branch who changes the law on a minute by minute periods and changes the law by not enforcing them . Or only enforcing them against people they don't like . So before you write about all you know you should remove your foot first .

A filibuster, or "speaking or talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a legislature or other decision-making body whereby one attempts to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a proposal by extending a debate on that proposal. A popular saying is "filibuster it to death!"

The term filibuster was first used in 1851. It was derived from the Spanish filibustero meaning pirate or freebooter. This term had evolved from the French word flibustier, which itself evolved from the Dutch vrijbuiter (freebooter). This term was applied at the time to American adventurers, mostly from Southern states, who sought to overthrow the governments of Central American states, and was transferred to the users of the filibuster, seen as a tactic for pirating or hijacking debate.


The word of the day is "filibuster." Something that should have been taken out of modern politics long ago, along with lobbying.

Hey. The Democratic party bus said it so it must be so.

smh at dem vs repubs,,,,they are ALL in there for Americans people, either they are all held accountable or none of them are. The half stepping finger pointing is holding up the progress of this country.