OBAMA SOARS, WHILE JINDEL BORES

"The fact is, our economy did not fall into decline overnight. Nor did all of our problems begin when the housing market collapsed or the stock market sank. We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy. Yet we import more oil today than ever before. The cost of health care eats up more and more of our savings each year, yet we keep delaying reform. Our children will compete for jobs in a global economy that too many of our schools do not prepare them for. And though all these challenges went unsolved, we still managed to spend more money and pile up more debt, both as individuals and through our government, than ever before.
In other words, we have lived through an era where too often, short-term gains were prized over long-term prosperity; where we failed to look beyond the next payment, the next quarter, or the next election. A surplus became an excuse to transfer wealth to the wealthy instead of an opportunity to invest in our future. Regulations were gutted for the sake of a quick profit at the expense of a healthy market. People bought homes they knew they couldn’t afford from banks and lenders who pushed those bad loans anyway. And all the while, critical debates and difficult decisions were put off for some other time on some other day.
Well that day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to take charge of our future is here."

And with that, President Obama went about talking to the American people in general terms, about his vision for the recovery process he envisions for our nation. He was charismatic, he was engaging and uplifting, he was extremely positive, glowingly optimistic, and he was extraordinarily generous to his Republican counterparts, and especially the previous administration who gave us eight of the worst years on record in American history. In short, President Obama hit it out of the park, and everyone could see it.

Despite his conciliatory nature of his address to Congress, the conservative base, went onto the attack mode with their new minority darling, Governor Jindel of Louisiana. Trouble was, he misquoted Obama with an absolute falsehood.

Jindel stated...."A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said 'we may not be able to reverse.' Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don't let anyone tell you that we cannot recover -- or that America's best days are behind her." In fact, Obama stated that if his economic recovery plan were not passed, "we may not be able to reverse" the current economic crisis.

Governor Jindel had his moment tonight. His moment to transcend the white male dominated party power base of the Republican party, and usher in a new era of inclusion. This was Jindel's opportunity to represent a party who little or no use for him before the American people elected a black man. He had his moment, such as Obama had his moment at the Chicago Democratic convention. Only Obama took advantage of his moment to gain national prominence, Jindel struck out swinging. Struck out swinging at air, based on a false premise and a mis-quote.

If you did not watch the address, you can read the full address here.

It is well worth the read. For example, this is what Obama said about the educational system and the call to arms the President called upon the American people........"It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American."

A ground breaking address to Congress by a President who steps out of the box on a consistent basis, and will continue to do so as he becomes more comfortable in the job.

One has to wonder how much he could accomplish had he not had the misfortune of following George Bush and his merry band of deficit spenders, the very people now complaining the remedy to their poor performances will actually cost money. What incredible gall.

And while Obama took great steps to unify and bring together, Jindel and the conservatives started running for office.