Daily Archives: February 25, 2009

Jindal Not Ready For Prime Time

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when Bobby Jindal issued the Republican rebuttal, but, one thing’s for sure, I didn’t expect it to be as bad as it was.  And it was really, really bad.

And I’m not alone in my opinion.  The reviews are in, and they aren’t good.

BRIT HUME: “The speech read a lot better than it sounded. This was not Bobby Jindal’s greatest oratorical moment.”

NINA EASTON: “The delivery was not exactly terrific.”

CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER: “Jindal didn’t have a chance. He follows Obama, who in making speeches, is in a league of his own. He’s in a Reagan-esque league. … [Jindal] tried the best he could.”

JUAN WILLIAMS: “It came off as amateurish, and even the tempo in which he spoke was sing-songy. He was telling stories that seemed very simplistic and almost childish.

And these are the quotes from FOX News.  What struck me as I suffered through Jindal’s public humiliation was the insincerity of his delivery.  I didn’t believe him.  Once again, a Republican placed style over substance.  Be positive, be upbeat, show the American people we have hope too, were obviously the main focus of the speech.  Only Jindal was incapable of delivering the message.  His tone was affected, overly chirpy, and annoying.

But if  Jindal’s tone was bad, his content was worse.  Could someone please tell me what is wrong with “high speed rail” and why Republicans have made it their new poster child? (And, let’s not forget that the Disneyland to Sin City example they love to trot out is also not true.)  Isn’t improving/modernizing the country the same as improving/modernizing your house?  Don’t both increase your quality of life while adding value to the property?

And after your done explaining that would you mind explaining how the Governor of Louisiana, whose most famous city was nearly destroyed by a hurricane, mocked money targeted for preventing another natural disaster?

Jindal didn’t help himself, or his party, with that speech.  Republicans might want to start searching for a new shining star because, after last night’s performance, Jindal proved he’s not ready for prime time.

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Breaking: Mike Castle Slams Obama Speech

This morning Mike Castle slammed President Obama’s address to a joint session of congress saying that Obama has created a “mystical fund” to save banks.

The GOP loyalists stopped short of calling President Obama’s remarks the ravings of an economic “witch doctor” but it was clear that Castle has signed up to be a part of the current GOP smear campaign against Barack Obama intended to obstruct the nation’s economic recovery.

UPDATE NOTE: WDEL must have gotten some heat from Castle – because the posted version of the Frank Gerace report edits out Castle’s egergious “mystical fund” comments.

Reactions to President Obama’s Speech

Because you guys will be here before I can in the morning.

I thought that this was an impressive speech.  Focused on the economy and getting the domestic house in order, he was able to lay out the seriousness of or collective situation while hitting pretty high notes on our ability to get past this period, but also to take advantage of the multiple opportunities there for the taking in refocusing on our economy:

  • Energy
  • Health Care
  • Education

Foreign policy was much thinner as a subject here.  And I am just delighted that Obama keeps reminding folks how we got here and delighted that he is keeping up the bipartisan theme.

Tell us what you thought of the speech, the plan and how much you think he’ll accomplish.  No, Jindal did not live up to the hype.  It didn’t help that President Obama pretty much used the Jindal litany of “new ideas” as those ideas that got us in the hole we are in now.  But I kept waiting for the phone number to scroll across the screen that would put me in touch with operators standing by who would get me my free aluminum siding quote.