CDs and CRs React to President Obama's First State of the Union Address

Almost a year after taking the oath of office, President Obama made his first annual State of the Union Address in front of Congress Wednesday night. Amid 10% unemployment, a struggling healthcare bill, two unpopular wars, and a spiraling deficit, the president took the stage.

After discussing the historical significance of his speech and of the times the American people live in, President Obama got down to business addressing the nation’s faltering economy. He stated that he supported the measures passed at the end of the Bush Administration and early in his term, those of the bailout and stimulus plan, keeping true to his campaign pledge to do the unpopular but necessary, while likening the bailout to “ a root canal.”

Spending a considerable amount of time on his jobs bill and the middle class, Obama presented his small business plan to promote growth through tax credits, eliminating the capital gains tax, and using the repaid TARP funds for lending through community banks.

Obama then proceeded by explaining the need for bills addressing energy independence and climate change, in addition to improvements to our nation’s education system, all of which will promote job growth and keep America ahead of an advancing world, citing India, China, and Germany as potential rivals in these fields.

However, though it was the cornerstone of his agenda through his first year, the president only touched on healthcare, explaining its need and asking members of Congress to “take a second look at the bill.”


In quite an important part of the speech, on what is emerging as a salient issue among Americans, Obama spoke about the necessity for debt reduction, including his plan to freeze discretionary spending for three years starting in 2011. This plan exempts national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security from such budgetary restrictions. He also spoke about the need to establish a bipartisan deficit reduction committee, which he will create through an executive order.

The last main portion of the speech addressed the nation’s security needs while detailing his commitment toward winning in Afghanistan, winding down the war in Iraq, and reducing and protecting nuclear weapons.

Additionally, though he didn’t spend more than a minute speaking about the issue, President Obama expounded upon his commitment toward repealing the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that discriminates against gays in the military.

Overall, while reaffirming his promise of change and recognizing the various political setbacks his party has experienced, President Obama emphasized the fact that he is not quitting on the American people.

In his brief oppositional response in the Virginia Legislature, Governor Bob McDonnell explained the need for the growth in the private sector to create jobs in a free market, as well as the reduction of the federal deficit. He praised the president over the spending freeze but emphasized the fact that Obama needs to go further.

The governor addressed the need for a healthcare bill, while also asserting that the nation needs “common sense reform.” McDonnell also touched briefly on energy independence and education, making points similar or identical to Obama's.

McDonnell wrapped up his speech discussing our nation’s need for national defense and stopping terrorism, criticizing the Obama Administration for allowing terrorists the constitutional rights provided to Americans.

Speaking on behalf of the College Republicans, Executive Director Dan Sadlosky criticized Obama for failing to present a more bipartisan approach. Sadlosky stressed the need for less government regulation to allow growth in the private sector, while also emphasizing the fact that national defense is still a top priority, an issue he felt McDonnell covered well.

On behalf of the College Democrats, Communications Director Michael Garber praised Obama’s speech, describing it as inspiring. He explained that he agreed with the president on the issues presented, especially his economic policy, improvements to our education system, and repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” while citing Obama’s message to do what’s right, but not popular.

Garber also emphasized the wariness that the College Democrats feel toward Governor McDonnell’s call for healthcare reform, citing them as obstructionists.