Oregon Elephant

Oregon's unemployment basically unchanged...must be due to all those "saved jobs"...

So, the Oregonian is reporting that Oregon's unemployment rate is pretty much unchanged at about 12%, among the highest in the nation.

Wow, I sure am glad we've got Obama...imagine where we'd be if he hadn't spent $700 billion to "save" all those jobs? (Extreme sarcasm)

Public option dropped?

So, first HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (among others) intimates that the public option isn't essential to reform in Obama's eyes:

Then, this morning, Press Secreatary Robert Gibbs says Sebelius "misspoke".

Translation:  She accidentally told the truth, as Matt Lewis at Townhall indicates.

Interesting factoid:  Obama wrote a 1200 word editorial on health care for the New York Times over the weekend, and it didn't mention a public option once.  Hmmmmm.

American College of Surgeons takes issue with Obama's "diagnosis"

At What Cost, Cutting Off A Leg? - The Atlantic Politics Channel

This is a great post by The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder.  Basically, the American College of Surgeons is coming down hard on Obama for misstating facts, sowing distrust in patients for their Doctors and basically attempting to give medical advice without a license.

Bravo.

The left's unease about Obama grows

Look at the homepage of The Huffington Post...it's titled "Obama Rhetoric vs. Obama Deal-making".  The left is starting to become unhinged about Obama's "deal with the devil" (in the minds of liberals) with pharmaceutical companies. 

I think one of Obama's biggest problems going forward is trying to keep all the constintuencies happy...insurance/drug companies, unions, DailyKOS liberals, blue dogs. 

From the "oops, I did it again" department...AARP corrects Obama, says they're not endorsing any plan

This is the kind of thing that isn't a big deal by itself...but is part of a drip, drip, drip that's serving to discredit Obama's effort to get this passed...

Politico 44:  "Department of Corrections"

Obama's address to the troops - channeling President Bush?

President Obama addressed troops in North Carolina and announced the end of combat operations by August 2010 (much later than many Democrats wanted).  Here’s a quote (this part is spoken to the people of Iraq):

Our nations have known difficult times together. But ours is a bond forged by shared bloodshed, and countless friendships among our people. We Americans have offered our most precious resource – our young men and women – to work with you to rebuild what was destroyed by despotism; to root out our common enemies; and to seek peace and prosperity for our children and grandchildren, and for yours.

Bottom line:  It’s amazing…this is an address that could have been given by President Bush.  His address was essentially an acknowledgement of the nobility of both the cause and the execution of the Iraq War.

Former WA Gov. Gary Locke to Commerce - should be good for free trade

As a recent transplant to the Great Northwest, I'm not too familiar with him, but:

• The Oregonian says he'll be good for trade and good for the Northwest
  
  
• Politico says some of the work he did for China might make things difficult
  
  
• and here's a look back at Locke delivering the Democratic response to Bush's State of the Union in 2003

My impressions of President Obama and Governor Jindal tonight

President Obama:  It was a great speech.  It was strong, serious and optimistic.  Of course, it oversimplified many issues.  Of course, there were straw men built to mock his opposition.  Of course, the reality will be much more difficult than the speech.  But as political theater, it was definitely something to see.  I don't think any problems were solved tonight, but the President has gotten himself back to where people will at least look at his proposals with an open mind.  The rest is up to him (and his colleagues in Congress).  Here's hoping they chart a course in the middle, where most of the country is.

Governor Jindal:  His speech was solid, if not as lyrically soaring as Obama's.  He was smart to not respond directly to Obama's speech, but rather simply lay out the Republican philosophy of governance.  I also liked that he didn't try to defend bad behavior on the part of Republicans in the past.  Honesty is always a good thing.  It reminds me of something Robert F. Kennedy used to say...hang a light on your problems.  He closed with a strong, persuasive case for responsible, conservative leadership.

Summing up:  Both were good speeches, even though they had different styles and different goals.  But, in the end, it's not going to be speeches that make the difference in America, it's action, and ultimately Obama (and the Republicans) will be judged by results.

No liveblog tonight of Obama (and Jindal)...but will wrap up later tonight

I have to work tonight, so no liveblog...but will wrap up with my thoughts later tonight, and will report on Oregon comments concerning the speech (if I can find any)...

What do you hope Governor Jindal says tomorrow night?

Here's my list...

1.   We agree with President Obama that we have a serious problem with the economy, and that government can do some things to help.
2. We will work with the President where we agree...and there are several areas where we do.
3. Where we don't agree, we have the right and the duty to point out our differences.  And we will do that.
4. It's our position that to stimulate the economy, you have to inspire confidence in business, to do business.  You can't do this by spending money, borrowed money, on "make work" wasteful programs.
5. As Republicans, we believe in being honest, responsible stewards of the public trust.  As such, we WILL do what government must, but we will resist the urge to attempt to solve all the country's ills with more debt, more taxes and more wasteful government spending.

There are other things...but these seem pretty important.  As Republicans, we need to let Obama know we'll be more than willing to oppose him when he oversteps...but also to let citizens know we want to be constructive and helpful, and to present actual solutions.