After busting threw the front door and snapping on the flat screen, I sat entranced.
A few comments.
First – President Obama’s nod to President Bush was nothing short of lovely. It was something I felt I needed to immediately blog about, but then someone beat me to it. (See the fourth point below).
Second – Linking the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom to a newfound focus on the American economy just seemed ludicrous and laughable. Is this not the classic case of “a little too late?” The Obama administration has been in office for nearly 20 months now. And the economy has been tanking for over 20 months now. It would have made tremendous sense for the president to start with the real problem (the economy) at the forefront, rather than the secondary problem (health care). Brilliance would have been to start the domestic agenda with the economy and then link health care to the end of the Iraq war. Just a thought.
Third – Sitting through the Oval Office speech brought back memories. I could not help but dwell on the strength that President Bush evidenced to the country and his staff during the 9-11 disaster. Ground Zero was ultimately what got us to the Green Zone.
Fourth – There was so much in Obama’s address last night that I wanted to comment on… until I read Mark McKinnon’s phenomenal piece in the Daily Beast. Quite frankly, Mark understands – and succinctly captures – President Bush and the workings of the Bush Administration in a way that few can. I really can’t comment other than to tell you that if you want the best juxtaposition to President Obama’s Oval Office – then you really must read this outstanding piece. It’s an important piece that gives deference where deference is due.
Sarah Lenti is the blogger behind NMPolitics.net’s The Savvy. E-mail her at sarah@nmpolitics.net.