1 I must be the only person in the world who wasn't too upset about Jindal's SOTU response.

2 MSNBC gonna carry him?

3 It's really unfair to expect anyone in this spot to look very good compared to any President. The visuals are simply a mismatch. The President is the center of attention in a House chamber filled with members of Congress, the cabinet, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Supreme court, the Diplomatic Corps and on and on.

I think it would be pretty effective if Paul Ryan gave his response with his kids in the background, each one sitting on a pile of $1 bills equivalent to their share of the national debt. 

4

Don't know if Ryan can pitch fiscal discipline in the right way or not.  But certainly he knows his stuff and can show the danger of following Obama's patch to budget oblivion.

 

Speaking of Jindal, I like how he's pretty much ignored how that SOTU response was panned.  He simply moved on and continued doing a great job, didn't let it discourage or slow him down one little bit.  Still has a great future...

5

So what if a lot of people actually know this but go along with it anyway because, you just try getting a job that's not flipping burgers without a freaking certified piece of paper that claims you have some kind of training.  Back in the day a kid with half a brain and lots of gumption could become an apprentice.  They learned the job while working the job.  Who does that now?  So some joker with the know-nothing degree gets the high paying job instead of the guy who has has been around a lot longer and knows a lot more but doesn't have the piece of paper.

6 I think it would be pretty effective if Paul Ryan gave his response with his kids in the background, each one sitting on a pile of $1 bills equivalent to their share of the national debt. 

I'm not sure he's that rich.

Of course, he could always just cut green paper into strips the size of dollar bills.  That's essentially what the Fed is doing now, anyway...

7 Jindal admitted he wasn't good.  When he did that, he went way up in my estimation.  Sinere, honest "I wasn't good" is so what Obama doesn't do.

Prager has mentioned may times that in the House Chamber, it says in large, bold letters In God We Trust--and it's never EVER shown on television.

8 The SOTU does not have to be delivered in person. The president can just send a letter to Congress and have it read into the record. I kinda think that would be a classy thing for the next POTUS to do.

9 I think it would be pretty effective if Paul Ryan gave his response with his kids in the background, each one sitting on a pile of $1 bills equivalent to their share of the national debt. 

If Obama and the dems gets their way you would have to take that shot from space

10 "Either way, no one ever really remembers the State of the Union, let alone the response. Unless you're Bobby Jindal and then you wish everyone would FORGET." FTFY His performance pretty much destroyed his POTUS aspirations.

11 Posted by: katya, the designated driver at January 21, 2011 11:36 AM (ZePpz)

Ummm... that's how I got my job.  It's not fantastic, but it pays pretty well.

The idea that you "need" a college education is, in many cases, a myth perpetuated by those who went to college themselves, or by the colleges and universities.  Work hard, show that you know your stuff, and you can get just about any job you want.

You may not be able to swing Head Engineer of Aerodynamic Development with Lockheed Martin, but Lead Software Developer for [insert company here] is certainly doable.

12 I'm planning to do a takeoff of Heath Ledger's joker by lighting a pile of money on fire and explaining that this is what Obama is doing every minute of every day.

13 Good choice.

For background visuals, he might contact Sheila "Recover the Moon Flags on Mars" Jackson Lee - I understand she's a wizard at arranging to use high quality, high impact backgrounds.

14 Still, I wouldn't get my hopes up to much that his response will have much impact. It's really unfair to expect anyone in this spot to look very good compared to any President. The visuals are simply a mismatch.

Yeah, the deck is going to be stacked in the media, too.  They are on over-drive since this shooting thing in AZ. 

Nevertheless, I hope Ryan delivers, both on substance and on style, irrespective of what the immediate spin is from the MSM.  A few people will pay attention and it would be great if Ryan looked good so we could think of him as an option down the road. 

15 Either way, no one ever really remembers the State of the Union

Unless the POTUS does something incredibly assholish, like calling out SCOTUS because they interpreted in the Constitutution in a way he didn't like.

16

President Obama delivered a stirring State of the Union speech that could be compared to the skilled oration of JFK or Martin Luther King.  Some attendees were visibly moved to tears of admiration.

In the Republican response, Paul Ryan was a big fat meenie.  And possibly racist.

17 I think it the acoustics play just as big a role (if not bigger) as the visuals. The SOTU has an auditorium effect, making it sound more grand. The response is given in a foyer or some such place and so it sounds flat.

18 I plan to blame the country's problems on Sarah Palin.  I suspect that will go over very well in the chamber.

19 9
The SOTU does not have to be delivered in person. The president can just send a letter to Congress and have it read into the record.
Posted by: Nighthawk at January 21, 2011 11:38 AM (02uN6)

That was pretty much the way it was always done until recently. Once the Big Eye became available, the POTUS started delivering the Address himself. I can't say that was progress.

20
Wang Dong.

Wang.

Dong.

21 In the Republican response, Paul Ryan was a big fat meenie.  And possibly racist.

He is big on math.  Maybe he can borrow Ron Johnson's white board and put some f'n numerical knowledge to us.

22 19 I plan to blame the country's problems on Sarah Palin. I suspect that will go over very well in the chamber. Posted by: Barack Obama at January 21, 2011 11:42 AM (zgZzy) Hey! Don't forget us!!

23 VA Gov. Bob McDonnell gave last years from the VA Capitol building..

Chris Matthews (spit) derided him for doing so, 'pretending' to be a little president or something along those lines. 

24

Paul Ryan 2012

25 We need to set up some Greek columns in a stadium of screaming supporters for this event.

26 I will be very disappointed if any of the Supreme Court Justices show up this year. Or, it would be very telling if Sotomayer, Kagen, and Breyer are the only attendees.

27
If Mr Ryan gets too technical and starts throwing a bunch of numbers around, people's eyes will glaze over.

He has to keep it simple.

28 Great. The only problem is, that  fuckin' crybaby boehner or pussy mcconnell will proofread it and pussy it down.

They need to go.

boehner has a long way to go to change my mind...

29

I'm planning to do a takeoff of Heath Ledger's joker by lighting a pile of money on fire and explaining that this is what Obama is doing every minute of every day.

I wish i knew how to make videos.

Someone needs to sync up obama video and selected pictures with the song "Cult of Personality". It even has a line about the Nobel prize.

30

didn't Alito say he is no longer going to SOTU speeches?

31 27 We need to set up some Greek columns in a stadium of screaming supporters for this event. Posted by: MīcÞeMūß at January 21, 2011 11:44 AM (0q2P7) And T-shirts! Don't forget the T-shirts.

32 Wherever Ryan delivers the response, it needs to be in front of a live audience.  I'd book a nice little convention room in DC and stuff it with Club for Growth/Chamber of Commerce folks. 

33 I'm just looking forward to the NYT declaring that Obama gave an awesome speech before he actually delivers it.

34 Great. The only problem is, that  fuckin' crybaby boehner or pussy mcconnell will proofread it

Yeah who exactly thought the Fred Rogers approach was the best way Jindal could go.

35 Chris Matthews (spit) derided him for doing so, 'pretending' to be a little president or something along those lines.

Didn't the MFM also complain about McDonnell having non-white people in the building with him? As I recall, they were all elected or appointed VA officials...

36 I gotta tell ya I love this. Ryan's gonna rock it.

37 Drew's right that no one remembers this stuff and no one will be watching Ryan, though. Still... as far as these responses, this will be one that has some impact, limited as it must be.

38 I can't wait to see Justice Alito slap Obama with his Wang Dong.

39 Good luck. He didn't do so well in the articles that we're waiting to publish. Obama, though, hit it out of the park! It was glorious, nuanced, and full of compassion.

40 Now what should the t-shirts say?

Posted by: CDR M at January 21, 2011 11:49 AM (5I8G0)

Together We're In Debt Up to our Ears.

41 Now what should the t-shirts say? Posted by: CDR M at January 21, 2011 11:49 AM (5I8G0) "We blew through $12 billion and all I got was this lousy T-shirt!"

42 And the concession stands will be open!

43 Now what should the t-shirts say?

"My President spent my great-great-grand children into perpetual debt, and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt."

44 For people that think Jindal wrecked his presidential aspirations, just remember that Bill Clinton delivered an even worse effort at the 1988 Democratic convention ( he was cheered when he said, " In closing..."). I still believe that Jindal represents our best shot against Obama, stylistically and substantively.

45 Ryan is one of the ones I am following closely. Looking at the "On the Issues" site he appears to be very good. I didn't see any major problems there. Looking at his ACU ratings for 2009/2008 he is a strong 96 in 2009 but somewhat weak in 2008 with an 84. It will be interesting to see what his 2010 ratings work out to be.

Right now the only negative I see is that he is in the House and tradition does not favor the House. But that falls under the old electability saw which I hate so no points off for that.

That last goes double for Michelle Bachman who has a rating of 100/100.

46 Posted by: Nighthawk at January 21, 2011 11:52 AM (02uN6)

Missed it by that much.

47 If Mr Ryan gets too technical and starts throwing a bunch of numbers around, people's eyes will glaze over.

He has to keep it simple.

Posted by: Soothsayer has a problem with Wang Dong at January 21, 2011 11:45 AM (WmBF6)

Do you remember that video of Herman Cain at Clinton's healthcare townhall back in the 90s? He was throwing around numbers, fractions, and percentages like noones business... I was surprised the people there didn't all fall off their chairs in slumber.

Maybe people are ok with numbers as long as its about the pocketbook.

48 Time for a handle of Makers, and a good word list. (Last year "job" sent me staggering to bed, this year I'm kicking around "bipartisanship", "compromise", "tone", I'm too chicken to include "I", that might cause alcohol poisoning)

49

Having a Republican speak in opposition to President Obama after the State of teh Union speech is unconstitutional.

50 Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 21, 2011 11:54 AM (8y9MW) GMTA!

51 For people that think Jindal wrecked his presidential aspirations, just remember that Bill Clinton delivered an even worse effort at the 1988 Democratic convention ( he was cheered when he said, " In closing...").

According to the Morons here from LA he has wrecked it by his actions at home.

52 I suggest he employ the Vinny Gambini method:

"Everything that guy just said is bullshit.  Thank you."

53

I don't mind being likened to Paul Ryan.  I'm sure Mrs Meanie would appreciate the comparison.   His eyes are like pools of quiet fire. 

54 Posted by: Steve L. at January 21, 2011 11:55 AM (Gkhxf)

Is it too early to nominate a thread winner?

55 Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at January 21, 2011 11:55 AM (8lCJT)

No dude should talk about another dude's eyes.  Especially not in poetic terms.

Just sayin'

56 34 Wherever Ryan delivers the response, it needs to be in front of a live audience.  I'd book a nice little convention room in DC and stuff it with Club for Growth/Chamber of Commerce folks

I disagree.  Those groups, esp the CoC, are demonized in the press, so why give the MSF another shot to make Republicans seem like they only care about business=evil instead of about regular people?  Also, the idea of Ryan delivering his speech to applause seems bad to me.  We want no appearance of pandering.

I would choose some public space, starkly empty, that represents where Congress does the will of the people.  I guess the floor of the House wouldn't be available, but perhaps he could pull off doing it on the steps of the Capitol.  He's a young man.  Standing out in the cold with the people's house in the background could be powerful.  It would also help him keep the speech short. 

57
Why can't we get The Rock and Mean Gene Okerlund to deliver the response?

58 Ronald Reagan stole all the stars in teh skies and put them in Paul Ryan's eyes.

59

Having a Republican speak in opposition to President Obama after the State of teh Union speech is unconstitutional.

Posted by: Sheila Lee Jackson at January 21, 2011 11:55 AM (6f9ix)

And racist!!

And fascist, like Pol Pot!

60 If the repubs are smart (I know), they will have him on a stage with a podium with a small friendly audience and deficit charts in the background.

61 What's the over/under on the number of times Obama refers to himself (I, me, my)?  I'm going with 32.

62 So what's really important is what is the word list that we need to drink to for the SotU?

I nominate Rhetoric  and Tone. 

63 I'd put Ryan in front of the mural depicting the meeting of the Continental Congress.

64
heheh, geoff makes a serious post and almost every comment is about Wang Dong.

65 Ryan is an up and coming star who is now head of the House Budget Committee, so yeah, fiscal issues are going to be the main thrust of his talk.


Daily Caller:

Though he talks like Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman, some of Ryan’s most high-profile votes seem closer to Keynes than to Adam Smith. For example, in the span of about a year, Ryan committed fiscal conservative apostasy on three high-profile votes: The Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP (whereby the government purchased assets and equity from financial institutions), the auto-bailout (which essentially implied he agrees car companies — especially the ones with an auto plant in his district—are too big to fail), and for a confiscatory tax on CEO bonuses (which essentially says the government has the right to take away private property — if it doesn’t like you).

While RyanÂ’s overall voting record is very conservative, the problem with casting these high-profile votes is that they demonstrate he is willing to fundamentally reject conservatism when the heat is on.

66 I still believe that Jindal represents our best shot against Obama, stylistically and substantively. Posted by: jjshaka at January 21, 2011 11:53 AM

A total charisma-free zone who also seems to be somewhat less than competent is "our best hope?"

Not so much.

The SoTU "response" and his whiny and pretty much ineffective appearances during the oil spill have done him in for higher office, IMO.

Charisma alone doesn't make a winner (something the Palin fanboiz should consider). Neither does competence. But we don't need another dead fish in the White House.

67

 So some joker with the know-nothing degree gets the high paying job instead of the guy who has has been around a lot longer and knows a lot more but doesn't have the piece of paper.

I remember when the 'help wanted' classified ads would read something like:

"___yrs experience required....willing to consider education in lieu of experience..."  Now all they want is one or the other degree and usually no other experience.  (Sometimes a couple of years experience will substitute for associate degree.) 

Will all these educated  people everywhere, you'd think our country would be in better shape, no?

68 Also:

The DC: IÂ’ve also started to see some critical comments of you from the right over your votes for TARP, the auto bailout, and the tax on CEO bonuses. How often do you hear that in your home state, how often do you hear it on the Internet, and what do you tell people when they criticize you on those things?

Ryan: You know I donÂ’t hear it here at home that much. YouÂ’ve got to remember Obama won my district. Dukakis and Gore won my district. Clinton won my district. So I donÂ’t come from, you know, a red area. So I think itÂ’s important to keep in mind where I come from. I donÂ’t hear that here.

Profile in courage.

69

While RyanÂ’s overall voting record is very conservative, the problem with casting these high-profile votes is that they demonstrate he is willing to fundamentally reject conservatism when the heat is on.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix

Concern!

70 I'm just looking forward to NOT seeing Granny Botox jumping up and down behind Teh One at the SOTU.

71 I'm just looking forward to NOT seeing Granny Botox jumping up and down behind Teh One at the SOTU.

Addition to the drinking game: Finish your drink if Boehner cries.

72 Funny, I remember Sen. Fred Thompson giving a response to one of Bill Clinton's SOTU and thinking, wow, *that* guy belongs in the Oval Office. And then he married that hot babe and he sorta lost interest and that was that...

73

"I'm just looking forward to NOT seeing Granny Botox jumping up and down behind Teh One at the SOTU."

Who is gonna blink the text of Necronomicon in morse code to me now?

 

74
I would choose some public space, starkly empty, that represents where Congress does the will of the people.

I'd recommend the vault at Fort Knox. He could start out with "We're broke".

75 5 My money is still on Ryan to school Obama, even with the advantage Obama has with presentation visuals.

Posted by: CDR M at January 21, 2011 11:36 AM (5I8G0)

That isn't too hard to do with Toonces, especially with Ryan. The hard part is getting the FiftyTwo Percenters to realize their messiah has been schooled.

76

"The last time Ryan went up against Obama was at the "Health Care Summit" and he pretty much schooled him. "

The bizarre thing is that, while you're right and anyone with half a brain and cursory knowledge of the numbers would agree that you are, liberals watch the same clip and think Barky is the one who did the schooling.

Being right, correct, logical, and in command of the facts is just not good enough. 

Never was, never will be.

77 One (1) shot of vodka for every time Jugears says Progress, Plan, Planning, Tone, and Imagination.

78 "
Unless the POTUS does something incredibly assholish, like calling out SCOTUS because they interpreted in the Constitutution in a way he didn't like.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at January 21, 2011 11:41 AM (4ucxv)

Yea, cuz that wasn't divisive or vitriolic at all. 

Aw, good times,  good times. 

79 Whose turn is it to stand up and holler "you lie"?

80 I heard on one of the radio news reports that the campaign sent out emails to their database asking them to set up "state of the union watching parties".  Did they also ask them to be fair and watch the rebuttal?

81 88 Whose turn is it to stand up and holler "you lie"?

Posted by: maddogg at January 21, 2011 12:14 PM (OlN4e)

I'll do it for free.

82 The Supreme Court gonna sit their and let Ocommie blast them again this year?

83 Why can't Paul Ryan give his rebuttal in an auditorium full of conservatives?  He could even attach his own seal to the podium like obama did while campaigning.

84

If we use "rhetoric" and "tone" as drink cues it's going to be like a game of Thumper. And that may not be all bad.

Ryan is a good choice, IMHO. Hopefully he will keep it short, sweet, and just wonky enough to let people know he has the facts at his command.

It may be off script for an "official" Republican response, but I would not mind him blasting in no uncertain terms the "party of 'No'" meme, and referencing his plan as convincing evidence that the Party is already bringing concrete ideas to the table. He can stress that it is still just a starting point, but refined enough to advance the ball ahead with. Refer to a website (on-screen) for all those interested in knowing more details. Wrap up by saying that the R's invite comment and look forward to a discussion and debate on the path foward.

This is just one idea, and I know the R's may not be enthusiastic since it might infer an endorsement it doesn't have. But it is crucial for the R's to demonstrate convincingly that in addition to serving as a check on unvarnished liberalism, they have positive ideas they are moving ahead with. SOTU response is a good opportunity to do that.  

85 Will Ryan's audience get t-shirts? 

86

Meh.

I don't think it matters much.

People are too busy muting the tv waiting for American Idol or some other nonsense to come back on the tv.

Only political wonks watch the speeech, let alone the response.

87 I was hoping for Ryan. I thought it was too much to ask for. Sigh. He can't really do a Bob McDonnell in some state capitol building. I wish we could come up with some venue that would look as good. I'd like a giant bust of Reagan in the background; something besides the flags, the potted plant, and the book shelf.  

88

And then he married that hot babe and he sorta lost interest and that was that...

That's what Bill Clinton was avoiding. Brillant choice.

89 Posted by: dagny at January 21, 2011 12:21 PM (MYJl4)
I think he should do it live at a university that will not have boo and hiss students but serious financial and economics majors and a blackboard.  I think he should use a blackboard to get things across.  There are a lot of people out there that a visual learners and need to see something concrete for it to get in.

90 Did they also ask them to be fair and watch the rebuttal?

Comedy gold!

91 Here ya go; check this dookie out.

92 Ryan should just say "ain't that some shit" and walk off. The media would be hypervenilating for days.

93 He should deliver the speech in front of the 'debt clock'

94 I think he should use a blackboard to get things across.  There are a lot of people out there that a visual learners and need to see something concrete for it to get in.

Like this?

Not too much math, just enough to get the point across.

95

robtr at January 21, 2011 12:24 PM (hVDig)

LMAO!  **mopping coffee off keyboard**

96

I wonder if he will talk about the proposal being considered by congress to allow states to declare bankruptcy like GM, et. al. did.  Sounds like we will all get to own California's and Illinois' pension plans!

We are so fortunate.

97 Ryan should sit down with the American people as if he is their lawyer or forensic accountant and they are shareholders of a troubled firm. His job is to simply lay out how deep a pile of shit their company is in. This reinforces that its the GOP who considers the country to be the people's not the politicians. The politicians just run it on a day to day basis just like managers run corporations day to day for the benefit of the shareholders who actually own the company. Because the problem isn't just that too many politicians don't see it this way, but too many voters as well. Too many voters want a leader, not an employee. We need to simply keep presenting them with the employee option until they accept it.

98 It'll be Boehner and Biden in the background this year.  That's a crying shame.

99 101 Ryan should just say "ain't that some shit" and walk off. The media would be hypervenilating for days. Posted by: robtr at January 21, 2011 12:24 PM (hVDig) Somebody upthread suggested the Vinnie Gambini (Joe Pesci) response: "Everything that guy just said is bullshit." Would be pure gold...

100

98 If got anywhere near a blackboard the media would make the stupids think that Paul Ryan is actually Glen Beck who, btw, is a wild gun totin crying nazi. I think Paul Ryan is brave to do this since what happened to McDonnell and Jindel after they did it.

Perhaps Boston Harbor with people dressed up like Indians walking behind him with boxes of tea. Then the Chinese could show up and take the tea. Visuals, visuals, we need visuals.

101 Can we have a split screen during the response with Obama extending his middle finger up the side of his face? That's what he did when Ryan was talking during the healtcare summit. It could become part of the developing suite of new State of the Union  traditions - President insults Supreme Court during the address, President high-fives the First Lady after the address, President flips off the Loyal Opposition during the response, President gives follow-up speech attacking the despicable views of Some Say...

102 71 I'd put Ryan in front of the mural depicting the meeting of the Continental Congress

Yeah, I like that idea, too.

103 Speaking of props, do we know what sort of sadly self-respect-free "victims" Obama is dragging in to sit in the gallery to use while he bitches about the House voting to repeal his healthcare takeover?  I'm taking "single mothers who didn't bother to sign their kids up for SCHIP" in the pool.

104 @I'd recommend the vault at Fort Knox. He could start out with "We're broke"

Also good. 

105 What SCOTUS shows up? Just the "girls"?

106 That Y chromosome is clearly disrupting your ability to think rationally. I am not hindered by any such impediment, and plan on watching the event in my bunk, with plenty of extra AAA batteries.

107 O/T:  Just tuned into Rush.  He is discussing "the birth certificate".  And the governor of hawaii's comments.

Oddly enough, yesterday I was reading an article about the kid who solved her own kidnapping and finally, at 23 found her birth mother and I thought it was so odd that she said "she always wondered why she couldn't get her birth certificate" and it made me think how important it is to have a birth certificate and we all take them for granted..

and the kid who was finally allowed back into the country where the family was going to sue cause he is "an American citizen".  I wondered if he was born here and they produced a birth certificate, cause after the threat to sue, he was back in the USA this morning.

108

I'd put Ryan in front of the mural depicting the meeting of the Continental Congress

Continental what?! LOL!

109  I think he should do it live at a university that will not have boo and hiss students but serious financial and economics majors and a blackboard.  I think he should use a blackboard to get things across. 

That's a good idea.  Is George Washington University somewhat conservative?  I thought I read their law school is. 

110 70 So what's really important is what is the word list that we need to drink to for the SotU? I nominate Rhetoric and Tone. Posted by: Dave C at January 21, 2011 12:00 PM (G89dS) I say "historical" and "opportunity" should be on the list. Guaranteed to get you seriously hammered seriously fast.

111 Those continential congress guys were nuts because they "dressed funny". You go anywhere near the founders and they drag out the slavery thing. Geo Washington in a box and all that.

112 per LA Times twitter

Ryan will deliver GOP response from the House Budget Committee hearing room

Also, What Should I Do?

113 OT: Well, well, well, old dog learns new tricks

Gold Standard now supported by Alan Greenspan.
And a further stunner: Greenspan himself wonders if we really need a central bank.

114 Posted by: Nighthawk at January 21, 2011 12:29 PM (02uN6)

Use the textbook name it's the "you lie" response.

115 Will this SOTU turn into a campaign rally, courtesy of SEIU thugs and college students who will *cheer* his every intonation?

116

Funny, I remember Sen. Fred Thompson giving a response to one of Bill Clinton's SOTU and thinking, wow, *that* guy belongs in the Oval Office.
And then he married that hot babe and he sorta lost interest and that was that...

What happened to Fred last time around.  He seemed to be doing resonably well.  I know that that ass Cameron from Fox did a hit job on him, but after that, he just tucked tail and slid off the stage.  What really happened?  I really thought he had the makings of a real leader.  I've asked this question several times here, but I've never gotten an answer.  Maybe someone Moron here now can address this.

117

I think it would be pretty effective if Paul Ryan gave his response with his kids in the background, each one sitting on a pile of $1 bills equivalent to their share of the national debt bale of hay, wearing rags and displaying dirty faces.  He could then proceed to tell the audience to get used to the way his kids look, since everyone's kids are looking at tax rates of 66% and 80% (if they're bidness owners). 

FIFM

118 One of my friends said that he hope ryan would craft a response full of the "banned words"....like use target, and cross hairs and "looking down the barrel" and stuff like that.  One descriptive imagery phrase stemming from guns after the next.  He's right, they'd go nus.

119 124 Will this SOTU turn into a campaign rally, courtesy of SEIU thugs

What color tie?  He tends to wear purple (SEIU) a lot.  Very odd. 

Or will he wear red to pretend he's a Republican (and as an homage to the Chinese)? 

120 118 No, it is not. Full tard. The law school? Maybe but lawyers are the most boring people on earth.

121

Why can't Paul Ryan give his rebuttal in an auditorium full of conservatives?  He could even attach his own seal to the podium like obama did while campaigning.

"THE OFFICE OF THE STATE OF THE UNION RESPONDER"

TOOTSOFTUR

I like it.  With a big Reagan silhouette.  And a bullseye--just to be dicky.

 

122 What happened to Fred last time around.

I remember reading over at HotAir, mostly, that Fred was only in it to draw votes away from someone... can't remember who, maybe Mitt?... and to help McCain. 

I never saw any evidence presented, however. 

123 Are they going to haul Gabby Giffords up to Capital Hill and put her on display for the SOTU?  Naw, guess not.  They've got a lot of work to do with her to make sure she's ready to go as VP in 2012.

124 130 Stop it. That makes me tingly

125 BTW, I don't think Ryan is hawt.  I don't see it.  He has an odd hairline and kind of severe features. 

Rubio and Pence are hawter. 

126

Only political wonks watch the speeech, let alone the response.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 21, 2011 12:21 PM

^^ This right here ^^

I've seen more than enough SoTU gabfests to last me several lifetimes. Same for responses, which are usually no more than preaching to the other choir. Dimbulb A says things will be fine if only Congress does what he wants -- while providing a few pathetic human examples to look at instead of charts -- and Dimbulb B says A is essentially full of shit.

I won't be watching either the Mohammedan Mouthpiece or Ryan. When you know what they'll see in advance, and know what the responses will be, it's a poor alternative to watching a rerun of, say, Pawn Stars.

127 124 Will this SOTU turn into a campaign rally, courtesy of SEIU thugs and college students who will *cheer* his every intonation?

There will be Together We Thrive Tee's placed over the congressional seats before the speech. Oh, and tubes of vaseline too.

128 I remember reading over at HotAir, mostly, that Fred was only in it to draw votes away from someone... can't remember who, maybe Mitt?... and to help McCain. 

Fred would make a great President.  I even believe he would make a great nominee.  He is one butt-lousy primary candidate, though.  I will once again throw out the "lazy" word.

129

What color tie?

Red--to remind us he's a commie pretending to be republican.

130 I hope Obama works in the high capacity "CLIP" ban into his awesome speech.

131 Rubio is hot but I like Ryan too. He's smarter and speaks up. That alone is hot.

132 OK, I looked it up: George Mason University is supposed to have conservative students and a very good law school (not sure about their b-school).  It's close to DC.

I can't think of a top school in Wisconsin (that's Ryan's home state, right?) that would be a good choice. 

133

BTW, I don't think Ryan is hawt.  I don't see it.  He has an odd hairline and kind of severe features. 

Rubio and Pence are hawter. 

He's kind of cute, reminds me of a Kennedy (sorry Paul).  Rubio?  Oh hell yes!

134 Posted by: Y-not is happy it's Friday at January 21, 2011 12:40 PM (pW2o

you don't think he hot?

135 Why are we worried about teh Fred?

He is not running this time. If brought up at all it should only be done as another example of why nominal Republicans should NEVER believe a damn word anyone in the media, including Fox, says about a conservative Republican.

136

Besides, a guy doesn't have to be teh hawt, but if he' smart?? I find really smart sharp guys to be very sexy.

137

I find really smart sharp guys to be very sexy.

So we know that you don't come here for "stimulation" then.

138 @145
That's true. 

Mostly I was just responding to the buzz out there in the intertubes that he's some sort of hottie.  To me, I don't see it.  He's a little gaunt for my taste. 

I know this is shallow, but I wish we could run a handsome, youngish man against Obama this time.  If we could run someone who looks virile and is attractive, I think that'd make it easier for some of the shallow Indies to vote for him, especially the women. 

139 Wasn't Teh Fred! the only Repub to NOT vote for Clinton's impeachment?

140 Posted by: jewells45 at January 21, 2011 12:45 PM (l/N7H)

I'm with you, I find brains uber sexy.  Any guy can be cleaned up in a suit or a uniform or a tux.  But a brain, you can't find if it isn't there.

141

I remember reading over at HotAir, mostly, that Fred was only in it to draw votes away from someone... can't remember who, maybe Mitt?... and to help McCain. 

I never saw any evidence presented, however. 

Interesting...thanks for the info.  His whole demeanor was half-hearted.  Not what I would have expected based on his videos and speeches.  I loved his video response to Michael Moore...totally classic.  That Fred never showed up on the campaign trail.

142

I find really smart sharp guys to be very sexy.

So we know that you don't come here for "stimulation" then.

*hearty guffaw*

143

I know this is shallow, but I wish we could run a handsome, youngish man against Obama this time.  If we could run someone who looks virile and is attractive, I think that'd make it easier for some of the shallow Indies to vote for him, especially the women. 

Screw that.  I want a direct-speaking, no-nonsense candidate and I don't care if it's the giant eye of Sauron. 

144 Fred! voted guilty on both counts. 


I don't know how these things get started. 

Wiki has the roll calls. 

145

 Fred! voted guilty on both counts. 


I don't know how these things get started. 

Whew!  That's a relief. 

146 I don't know how these things get started. 

The same way "Barack Obama is a great speaker and really smart" and "Sarah Palin shot Gabrielle Giffords" do...because no one calls BS.

147 @152
I want to get Obama out of the WH.  If we can find a candidate who is the total package, instead of some doddering old albino, then we should factor that in. 

148

141 Took the boy to George Mason for a tour last year. The newspaper was pretty conservative and the school is supposed to be because it hires faculty like Walter Williams. The girl giving the first half of the tour had spiked pink hair and about a dozen piercings including her lips. The next guy was gay and dressed like it with his own piercings and peace shirt. The third fat girl had tatoos on her ankles, was an uptalker, and mentioned that Obama had come to speak there 4 times. She might have mentioned it again if I hadn't told her that she should know that the reference made some people nauseated.

Couldn't get out of there fast enough.

149 I'm really, really smart.

150 I think Ryan is plenty hot to run against Obama. I'd jump him in a heartbeat. I think we have to stay away from the old bald guys.

151

I think we have to stay away from the old bald guys.

Hmmm....MIKE PENCE MIKE PENCE MIKE PENCE MIKE PENCE

152 159 I think Ryan is plenty hot to run against Obama. I'd jump him in a heartbeat. I think we have to stay away from the old bald guys.

Posted by: dagny at January 21, 2011 12:55 PM (MYJl4)

Can't believe you are saying this and not waiting for the mainstream media to tell you who your candidate is and not waiting for the whiners on here to tell you about he next old white guy's whose  turn it is to vie for the presidency.  I mean I read on some blog that I clicked on from malkin's blog roll that mcshame is thinking of running again....nearly lost my lunch....

153 @157
I can imagine several factors for that. One is that those students may have been on student aid and were tour guides run out of the Admissions or Dean of Students offices.  Those admins tend to be rather liberal at most places, I find. 
Also, you can't always judge a book by its cover.  I was on the radio station the first couple of years of school and shopped at consignment shops, but I was very conservative even back then. 
The other may be that the undergrad population is liberal, but the professional and grad schools are conservative.  U of Chicago was like that back in the day.  The ranking I had was based on the B-school and law school. 

I can see a problem with the blackboard/classroom motif.  Could look too much like those horrid UPS ads. 

154 ...but I play the big dummy with only one thing on his mind really well.

Anyway...I think Pence is a good choice...w Ryan or Rubio.

And before I get the "where's the women" stuff...Michelle Bachman is great. Love her. We have a very deep bench w Repub women.

155

153  - I think it gets twisted because Fred voted against conviction after the impeachment. 

Thompson was one of 10 Republican senators to vote against convicting President Bill Clinton after the House impeachment for perjury, but he did vote to convict on the obstruction of justice charge. (This is from what I gather to be a lefty blog.)

156 @153
Maybe Wiki's wrong. 

157 Posted by: LtT26 at January 21, 2011 01:00 PM (QUdKy)

 The other day one of the talking heads was saying how jeb will be president in 2016 and there will be a lot of contenders but that, now that sarah palin has only helped the president's poll numbers and inadvertently served as a foil for him, well, she is not longer viable.  So you know they aren't thinking she's the challenger.  They ahve brought up Pence so to me, he's out.

158 They ahve brought up Pence so to me, he's out.
Posted by: curious at January 21, 2011 01:03 PM

Isn't disqualifying someone because they've been mentioned in the media just another way of letting the media choose the candidate? 

I honestly don't get this strategy. 

The pundits are out there trying to seem relevant, so they toss out names they've heard or suggest strategies.  It's just chatter and noise, not necessarily some big strategy on their part to pick our candidate. 

If someone, for whatever reason (either because they're photogenic, give good sound bites, or well-connected), gets play in the media, that should be a good thing.  It doesn't mean you choose them - you need to choose based on qualifications and ideology - but it doesn't disqualify them.  Free positive media coverage is good, even if it does get taken away as that person becomes a viable challenger to Obama. 

159

Ryan is an obviously bright conservative who, however, has a history of getting his arm twisted on the big votes.  I think he's perfect as head of the Budget Committee, where his alpha-wonkiness can shine.

On national TV, can he put the wonkiness aside and sell conservative values to the "indie" mushheads who swing elections?  Who knows.  Anyway, he seems as good a choice as any other. Can't do any worse than Jindal, the last "brilliant" wonk who flopped in the post-SOTU.

160 Really? McCain again? Barf.

I forgot Allen West. That's a good man there.

The R women are pretty much newcomers. That's great. Kristi Noem, Nikki Haley, and I saw Mary Fallon yesterday and I think she's pretty sharp too.

But I was a Rudy guy...like Dennis Miller said, "I want the guy who's gonna croak the most terrorists"...

but the economy is the thing now...unless we get hit again.

161 I forgot Allen West. That's a good man there.

The R women are pretty much newcomers.

Yeah, but West is also a newcomer.  2016 should be interesting.  2012 still worries me. 

162 We'll do good...sometimes you have to flush twice.

163 1 I must be the only person in the world who wasn't too upset about Jindal's SOTU response.

Posted by: Jeff B. at January 21, 2011 11:31 AM (NjYDy)

Nope. Didn't upset me too much either. It didn't matter if the right had had someone as erudite as Buckley and as telegenic as Palin. Nothing was going to outshine the first black President giving his first SOTU address to a joint session of Congress. Under those circumstances, the Republican speaker and his venue mattered little.

 

164 We are not going to find a perfect candidate.  NONE of them is without flaws. 

Therefore,  I am waiting for actual campaigns and debates in order to make up my mind.   (Unless you people start harping about certain candidates again, forcing me to choose early.)

165

Okay I'll jump in with the 'ettes....I like  Ryan for his big, dreamy eyes (just like Big Fat Meanie said) and his brains.....but the eyes get me. 

Above all I want a candidate that is not only smart (not 'Obama Smart' but, ya know, actually smart and competent) but has BALLS to stand for his/her convictions on what this country was founded on, etc.

McCain was disgusting with his feeble sound bites and reluctance to engage Toonces.

166 39
Now what should the t-shirts say?
Posted by: CDR M at January 21, 2011 11:49 AM (5I8G0)

I'm in hock for over $40,000 and all I get is this lousy t-shirt? Thanks, Obi-Won!

167 112 Speaking of props, do we know what sort of sadly self-respect-free "victims" Obama is dragging in to sit in the gallery to use while he bitches about the House voting to repeal his healthcare takeover?  I'm taking "single mothers who didn't bother to sign their kids up for SCHIP" in the pool.
Posted by: HeatherRadish at January 21, 2011 12:31 PM (4ucxv)

I like your phraseology!

168 Drinking game word: civility

169 Respectful academic setting: Hillsdale College

170 108 101 Ryan should just say "ain't that some shit" and walk off. The media would be hypervenilating for days.

Posted by: robtr at January 21, 2011 12:24 PM (hVDig)

Somebody upthread suggested the Vinnie Gambini (Joe Pesci) response: "Everything that guy just said is bullshit."

Would be pure gold...

Posted by: Nighthawk at January 21, 2011 12:29 PM (02uN6)

I sense some homemade YouTube mashups coming.

171 I think the physical appeal is mostly the warmth in his eyes and the fact that he's intelligent, though he is somewhat classically handsome. He's also not afraid of speaking his mind.

As for what he should do, a bit surprised about the speech location-- since it's rather empty and austere-- but maybe that's the point. With regards to reaching people, he should try to be less wonkish and act like the American people are his constituents in Janesville. After all, he must have some small-town America appeal since he has such high approval ratings there. Whether he remembers that remains to be see.

172 Congressman Paul Ryan, of GOP Young Guns, delivers SOTU 1/11 response.

It would illustrate a powerfully mannered style should Boehner arrange for Ryan's response delivered from the House Speaker's Chair, requiring the SOTU event remain in session with all in attendance to remain seated and the media remain silent until the oppositional response from the Speaker's Chair is completed.

...change we can believe in...

173 According to politico,  Michelle Bachman will deliver her OWN response to the State of the Union.

I am waiting for clarification,  because if she thinks she can do this when Ryan has been given the responsibility,  we are talking about heading towards loonytune territory.

174 According to politico,  Michelle Bachman will deliver her OWN response to the State of the Union.

Key words there.

175 102 He should deliver the speech in front of the 'debt clock'   Absolutely a GREAT IDEA there!   Unless the clock itself is in Times Square, in which case Mikey Transfats probably won't give the GOP a permit...

176 Paul Ryan is a serious dude, Obama is just a puffed-up beatnik.

177 Ryan is a thoughtful, quick study, and he is very articulate. He'll do just fine.