Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Happy indictment week to all who celebrate!

Not all heroes wear capes.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

The words do not have to be perfect.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Putin dreamed of ending NATO, and now it’s Finnish-ed.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

Accountability, motherfuckers.

When do the post office & the dmv weigh in on the wuhan virus?

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Let there be snark.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / State of the Union Address Open Thread

State of the Union Address Open Thread

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The Guardian‘s liveblog is here.

Since I don’t drink, I’m gonna keep it interesting by pledging $1 to commentor Aji‘s friends’ Okiciyap fund for every time President Obama uses the word “opportunity”. So at least the Lakota elders will get an immediate tiny benefit, and helping old people stay warm is a concept I can most certainly get my mind around right now.

Other suggestions?

********

Okay, not only was the word “opportunity” used in the first five minutes, there was a slide posted on the liveblog…

*********

I do love the Guardian!:

Next piece of speech: You Republicans are dumb, because you shut down the government, which was dumb.

The official text of Obama’s speech does not include the word “dumb,” but it was the rich subtext…

boehner thumbs up

“Son of a barkeep!”

Reader Interactions

356Comments

  20. 20.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    I’m sure all Michelle’s guests are wonderfully admirable people, but I hate all the “special guests”.

    I wonder if Kerry takes longer than anyone else ever to get down that aisle.

  23. 23.

    JGabriel

    @raven:

    If people haven’t figured it out by now what’s the point?

    In case people come along late. I know I’ve had trouble finding the links sometimes in the past.

  31. 31.

    MikeJ

    The word “opportunity” has been used in 79 SoTUs since 1790. Obama did not use it in 2009 or 2010, but did in ’11, ’12, and ’13.

  32. 32.

    BGK

    Tweety thinks Peter King is a moderate?

    Please, good Dr. Maddow, don’t be so kindly, and punch him in the head as hard as you’re able.

  34. 34.

    JPL

    If the President can’t solve the gridlock in Atlanta during a two inch snowfall, I’m not voting for him again. That’s all. No more money from me for your next election.

  35. 35.

    Corner Stone

    @BGK: She won’t even say the word masturbate on her show. She certainly isn’t going to punch Tweety.

  37. 37.

    mdblanche

    Peter King (R-Belfast) looks like one of those old Soviet leaders from the 80’s. Chris Matthews calls him the leader of the “still alive” Republican moderates.

  39. 39.

    Elizabelle

    PBS on in background. Soothingly glad to have them on but —

    what’s this? David Brooks commenting?

    Now hear Mark Shields, but fleeing to C-Span. They just have crowd milling sounds.

    Lotta women in primary colors. And men in dark suits. And now brass … Dr. Jill Biden and Michelle Obama looking elegant, as always …

  45. 45.

    JGabriel

    @Cain:

    How drunk is Boehner going to be?

    @Cain:

    How drunk is Boehner going to be?

    You’re repeating yourself. How drunk are you?

    I expect Boehner is plastered enough to cry.

  50. 50.

    Elizabelle

    POTUS looks young and rested. Military guest with FLOTUS is tapping one hand to his chest to applaud because his other is in a sling.

  55. 55.

    Anoniminous

    @JPL:

    If Obama does not name Interstate 85 “The General Sherman Memorial Highway” I’ll never work for him again.

  56. 56.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Since I don’t drink, I’m gonna keep it interesting by pledging $1 to commentor Aji‘s friends’ Okiciyap fund for every time President Obama uses the word “opportunity”. So at least the Lakota elders will get an immediate tiny benefit, and helping old people stay warm is a concept I can most certainly get my mind around right now.

    Great suggestion. And since I will be drinking, it’s nice that these are not mutually exclusive.

  58. 58.

    Cain

    WTF happened to our live chat feed we used to have? I want my fucking money back, Cole, you shag rocket!

  60. 60.

    MikeJ

    @SarahT:

    but I’m also gonna donate to the Okiciciyap Fund- maybe for every “outstanding”

    Not used in a SoTU since LBJ in 1965. Only used in eight SoTUs total.

    Wilson, Harding x2, FDR x2, Truman, Ike, LBJ.

  68. 68.

    Omnes Omnibus

    Is Boehner drinking vodka instead of bourbon tonight? The stuff in his glass seems colorless.

  69. 69.

    divF

    @dmsilev:
    There is not much sport in finding Repubs on TV who are complete lunatics, but I’ll grant you, Kristol is a particularly vile piece of work.

  70. 70.

    lower podunk

    Haven’t read the thread, but I just want Joe Biden to punch Boner in the neck. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

    eta: ok, now i’ll go listen to the SOTU.

  72. 72.

    dmsilev

    Also, there’s probably several people out in wingerville screaming at Boehner right now because he half-heartedly clapped when Obama referred to health care.

  80. 80.

    mdblanche

    Better positioned for the 21st century than any other nation. If only that weren’t a low bar.

  81. 81.

    JGabriel

    For those watching on the net, the CSPAN feed seems to be about 10 or 20 seconds ahead of CNN’s and YouTube’s – at least on my system.

  82. 82.

    ? Martin

    Someone needs to do a SOTU calorie burn total for how many members of Congress and how many times they stand up and then sit down.

    Actually, we need to make an app for that.

  85. 85.

    Elizabelle

    Aha. Taking Republicans to the woodshed without mentioning them by name. And it’s just moments into the speech.

  90. 90.

    Anya

    Joe Biden has failed me for the first time since he became VP. Why didn’t he take out Boehner for drinks until he was drunk.

  91. 91.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Joe Biden is twinkling. I’m not sure what the word is for the look on Boehner’s face.

  92. 92.

    dmsilev

    Via TPM, Texas Congressmen are Special:

    Randy Weber
    On floor of house waitin on “Kommandant-In-Chef”… the Socialistic dictator who’s been feeding US a line or is it “A-Lying?”

  96. 96.

    Violet

    NBC keeps sliding over key lines from the speech on the right side of the screen. That means Boehner gets covered up when it slides over. Funny.

  99. 99.

    divF

    @mdblanche:

    I have a firm rule that I don’t watch SOTU addresses. I just read the BJ comments and try to reverse-engineer what has happened. Normally I end up giggling through the whole address, which annoys the hell out of Madame.

  102. 102.

    maximiliano furtive, formerly known as dr. bloor

    @SiubhanDuinne: Hey, Smilin’ Joe gets to ride the Amtrak home with Jill after the speech, if you know what I mean and I think you do.

  103. 103.

    jl

    Is that Biden taking all the notes behind Obama? Is he moonlighting as a WH pool reporter, or what?

    And a Michelle mention. I’m in wuv wiv Michelle.

    Edit: and Jill aint too bad either. Nice ticket for 2016.

  115. 115.

    SiubhanDuinne

    I don’t yet know who the (physically damaged) military chap is who’s next to FLOTUS. But I love the way he taps his one useful hand against his chest to applaud. Very touching.

  130. 130.

    Elizabelle

    OK. You got me to turn from CSpan. Close up of PBO there, and only green and blue ties and water glasses in background.

    Got to see most of Congress standing and applauding over Speaker being the son of a barkeep, and notably less rising to applaud a single parent’s child being POTUS.

    Stay classy, Congress.

    Opportunity. Drink up.

  135. 135.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @BGK:

    I think Boehner’s about to urp on himself. What’s the protocol for that?

    Don’t the Pres., don’t hit the Veep, don’t hit the flag.

  140. 140.

    max

    @Omnes Omnibus: Onion Biden does.

    Onion Biden can hold his liquor way better than Boehner, no doubt.

    max
    [‘Onion Biden’s issues appear to involve attractive ladies and acquiring cash to pay for that. And the booze.’]

  142. 142.

    jl

    Act on his own!? Who does he think he is, head of the executive branch or something?

    Can the House GOP impeach him right now for Expressing Intentions to Commit Unconstitutional Acts and Disseminating False Doctrine right here tonight and save the taxpayer some money? Or do they have to do wasteful bureaucratic BS, and like, go home and then come back and do it?

  145. 145.

    Hal

    A friend of mine on Facebook was just bitching about “another state of the union?!?” Seriously, it’s one time a year and you’re upset?

  151. 151.

    raven

    Cory Remsburg and Craig Remsburg (Phoenix, AZ)
    US Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg has met President Obama on three separate occasions — once overseas and twice since a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan on his 10th deployment left him in a coma for three months, partially paralyzed and brain-damaged. He currently endures six hours of occupational, physical and speech therapy per day, and his father, Craig, along with Cory’s step-mom Annie, is the caretaker by Cory’s side as he continues his recovery. Craig is the Vice President of Human Resources for Telgian Corporation and a retired US Air Force Reserve firefighter. A native of Arizona, Sergeant First Class Remsburg joined the Army on his 18th birthday after Craig refused to sign the papers for the 17-year-old Cory to join on his own. Sergeant First Class Remsburg says “I won’t give up.” Sergeant First Class Remsburg has been awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

  157. 157.

    Elizabelle

    @Corner Stone:

    He better watch it. Speaker Boehner ain’t gonna make it through five plus SOTU GOP responses at this rate.

    Although that prospect might have inspired more drinking than usual.

  161. 161.

    jl

    His administration? Climate change is a fact? Second third counts in impeachment right there.

    Edit: Immigrants will ‘blow our economy’?

  162. 162.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    “The debate is settled. CLimate change is a fact”

    This is a controversial statement in today’s America.

  170. 170.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Corner Stone:

    Boehner’s eyes are *this close* to rolling back into his skull.

    I know. It’s like he’s working really really hard to stay focused.

  175. 175.

    jl

    Obama seems to be picking up the pace, so the speech is over before Johnny Bones passes out, maybe? Pundits will note that gesture towards bipartisan civility.

  181. 181.

    Corner Stone

    Boehner just told Biden, “Hey, I don’t know what the problem is. I ordered the next flite of bourbon 20 minutes ago.”

  188. 188.

    max

    @SiubhanDuinne: I know. It’s like he’s working really really hard to stay focused.

    I, for one, want to see some projectile vomiting.

    max
    [‘If his eyes bug out like a Warner Brother’s cartoon, that would be extra special.’]

  192. 192.

    Elizabelle

    Why does Joe Manchin look ticked at mention of letting unemployment benefits expire?

    Not like West Virginia is a haven of full employment.

  194. 194.

    dmsilev

    @yet another jeff:

    Jobs bill? How many times can the House vote to repeal Obamacare by Friday?

    That is a jobs bill. Look at all the work the GOP is generating for print shops, stenographers, underemployed pundits, etc.

  195. 195.

    jl

    @mdblanche:

    ” Biden’s grinning from ear to ear. ”

    Enough fumes going, you can get a contact high. Sort of like sniffing really warm sake.

  197. 197.

    Elizabelle

    @jl:

    Maybe Obama is speeding up so viewers get a gander at the clown car of SOTU responses, official and not?

    I like this feisty Obama.

  200. 200.

    Anya

    So, who’s State of the Union response represents the Duck Dynasty wing of the Republican party?

  203. 203.

    BGK

    @Cain:

    what is that stuff that look like salt shakers in front of Boehner? Bar implements?

    One bourbon, one scotch, one beer…

  205. 205.

    WaterGirl

    Just had to switch from CSPAN to MSNBC so I didn’t have to look at headless Biden and Boehner.

  209. 209.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @max:

    It could happen. I’m, um, familiar with that JustStayFocusedKeepYourEyesSteady mantra to keep from upchucking into the nearest potted palm.

    (Doesn’t always work, so there’s still a chance.)

    (“Is there a doctor in the house? Price? Broun? Paul?”)

  210. 210.

    Arm The Homeless

    Whats up with the red coat ladies? Are they like the red hat ladies we have around here?

  215. 215.

    WereBear

    According to the Guardian liveblog, “chance” is THE word tonight.

    Also, that the speech is running on a tenth grade reading level.

    Implied joke about Congress.

  218. 218.

    jl

    @Corner Stone: Yes. I just said that loudly the the talking picture machine here.

    I think Obama really believes in that wrongheaded approach, just as he really believes in some out of date macroconomics. But he’s at least not as irritatingly folksy as Clinton when he talks about stuff I disagree with.

  225. 225.

    Corner Stone

    “Michelle and I want every child to have the same chance Kenya gave me…I mean…”

  232. 232.

    aangus

    -john the great ‏@HERETICkler 3m

    Boehner: “I’m sorry, I missed everything you said after ‘bar'” #RawSOTU

  239. 239.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Even Boner had to chuckle at the “Mad Men” crack

    ETA: Lindsey too, Ted Cruz just looks like he’s got Cantor’s disease

  253. 253.

    max

    @SiubhanDuinne: It could happen. I’m, um, familiar with that JustStayFocusedKeepYourEyesSteady mantra to keep from upchucking into the nearest potted palm. (Doesn’t always work, so there’s still a chance.)

    So am, although it’s been a decade or, uh, two. I usually made that expression while trying to walk to the bathroom.

    max
    [‘Josh Marshall says Boehner has transitioned from dayglo orange to beet red. So there’s hope!’]

  254. 254.

    WaterGirl

    @wil: I kind of like the tempo of his speech tonight. It’s more like he’s talking than making a stilted speech.

  256. 256.

    mdblanche

    @wil: He’s standing in front of the son of a barkeep. You wouldn’t want to be standing there any longer than you need to there either.

  260. 260.

    Anya

    The Rude Pundit ‏@rudepundit 4m
    Isn’t the subtext of this speech “I’ve given up on you motherfuckers in Congress. Here’s some little shit I can do”?

  266. 266.

    Mnemosyne

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I dunno. The Polar Vortex and Massive West Coast Drought combination is freaking a lot of people out who otherwise would be standing around the watercooler going, They say there’s global warming but it’s cold outside, har har.

  268. 268.

    dmsilev

    One nice thing about the death of that silly “sit with the opposing party” idea is that you can clearly see when one party likes an idea and one doesn’t. Such as when all Democrats applaud the idea of raising the minimum wage and all Republicans think the idea is horrific.

  270. 270.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @max:

    Some day, when there’s a boring open thread up, ask me about the Black Russians and the potted palms at the Rainbow Room in Rock Center.

  276. 276.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: It has the energy of his campaign speeches. I think he’s excited that he’s (maybe) figured out a way he’s not completely stuck because of congress.

  281. 281.

    Comrade Mary

    Doesn’t exactly dance trippingly off the tongue. May also bring back bad, bad memories of res life for some people.

  282. 282.

    Keith G

    In the speech, I wish he would add how in the aggregate, an increased minimum wage does not decrease employment. That needs to be repeated on the record again and again.

  286. 286.

    Elizabelle

    @Anya:

    Isn’t the subtext of this speech “I’ve given up on you motherfuckers in Congress. Here’s some little shit I can do”?

    Yup. And more and more of the country sees that. MSM will be the last to notice.

    I like our chances better in the midterms than the do-nothings.

  293. 293.

    Anoniminous

    This is darn close to a campaign speech. Is Obama setting-up for the mid-term elections?

  294. 294.

    Arm The Homeless

    Who is the bald guy with the yellow tie near Sebelius? He has a serious derp face.

    Someone turn off your damn phone!!

  296. 296.

    Elizabelle

    Healthcare.

    Boehner might need it. Looks like a migraine.

    “Now, I do not expect to convince my Republican friends on the merits of this law.”

    Cut to smiling Kathleen Sebelius.

  298. 298.

    Randy P

    He really is getting the digs in. Let’s not have 40 more repeal Obamacare votes.

    Lotsa luck with that hope, Mr. President.

  303. 303.

    dmsilev

    Big shit-eating grin on Biden’s face. Meanwhile, Boehner looks like he just swallowed a frog or something.

  308. 308.

    JGabriel

    Let’s not have another 40 votes to repeal a law that’s already helping millions of Americans!

    Well, that was a pretty unmistakable Fuck You to the House.

  309. 309.

    WaterGirl

    @dmsilev:

    Obama: No more denial of health insurance due to preexisting conditions
    GOP: Stony silence.

    I know! What is wrong with these people?

  313. 313.

    Elizabelle

    @Anoniminous:

    Is Obama setting-up for the mid-term elections?

    Yes. And Democrats: spine up and get with the program.

    Now: shout out to Governor Steve Beshear.

    And now: help them get covered by March 31.

    Obama is the grownup in the room.

  321. 321.

    Comrade Mary

    @Corner Stone: It appears to be a semi-guaranteed investment, not a mutual fund: “It’s a new savings bond that encourages folks to build a nest egg. MyRA guarantees a decent return with no risk of losing what you put in.”

  326. 326.

    trollhattan

    “Nobody [with three forms of photo ID] shall take more than thirty minutes to vote.]”

    House version of bill

  327. 327.

    Elizabelle

    Standing up for the lives that gun violence takes every day.

    Citizenship demands a sense of common purpose.

    Terrific speech.

  330. 330.

    Helen

    I am bizarrely loving this speech. I usually hate them because all Presidents sound so stilted, but he is on a roll.

    Also he’s doing some serious wing-nut trolling. Saying the he and Michelle are gonna help men of color get jobs. Holy crap that is A-1 super duper trolling.

  333. 333.

    magurakurin

    @Corner Stone:

    Not a big fan of a way to funnel more people’s money into the stock market scammery.

    sounded like it was a way to buy US Savings bonds, but maybe I missed something, I’ve been in and out of the room doing stuff

  334. 334.

    mdblanche

    “Lost my place. I’ll just mention the troops. The five minutes of applause should give me a chance to remember.”

  337. 337.

    Anne Laurie

    New SotU post up, atop John’s, for the device-readers who can’t load TBogg-lvel threads.

  338. 338.

    aangus

    TBogg ‏@tbogg 37s

    Obama talking about the military. Now it’s okay for Republicans to clap without being primaried. #RawSOTU

  340. 340.

    Aji

    @SiubhanDuinne: LOL – we were watching my alma mater win in O/T. While changing the channel to MSNBC, Wings said, “Let’s hear what Mr. Opportunity has to say.” And lo and behold, the first words out of his mouth:

    “OPPORTUNITY! is what this country’s all about!”

    And we were ROTFLOAO.

  341. 341.

    Violet

    I think that was Lindsey Graham they just showed, but his face was so puffy I almost didn’t recognize him.

  345. 345.

    Comrade Mary

    @Corner Stone: It’s more of a guarantee not to lose principal than to get x% return. Not the best investment strategy in the world — yes, some risk is necessary for that mythical million at retirement — but at worst, it’s getting people to regularly deposit some money in a savings account. Very much baby steps.

  353. 353.

    Corner Stone

    @Keith G: The quote Comrade Mary put in:
    “MyRA guarantees a decent return with no risk of losing what you put in.”
    I have not had any time to see significant details. Just don’t want a Democratic version of privatized 401K’s.

  355. 355.

    El Caganer

    “Speaker Bohner, what’s your first reaction to the President’s address?”
    “Well, I….BLARRRGGGGGGGGHHHH. Shit. Must’ve been something I ate.”

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