Best of the State o' the Union Live-Bloggers

Herein I present my perceived "best of the State of the Union LiveBloggers". Do you think 'evil moron' Bashar Assad is getting the picture? If the military ever gets the go-ahead to whack that SOB, it will be a happy day for the Syrian people, a bunch of their neighbors, and the GWOT in general.



PL: 8:10--Interesting--he includes the Palestinian territories and Ukraine along with Afghanistan and Iraq. Blue fingers in the air.



PL: 8:13--He recites the economic record of the last four years. Might as well; viewers won't hear it anywhere else.



CQ: 8:17 - After the usual handouts that get the pork rolling, Bush memtions tort reform and health care adjacent. He's just delivered the message to the Democrats -- if you want to talk health care, it comes with tort reform attached. Get used to it or shut up.



VP: 8:27pm Smart, smart, smart. Bush just mentioned three Democrats who endorsed some sensible SS reforms, and which reforms they suggested. Not huge applause, but maybe enough. Powerful politicking there.



CQ: 8:30 - Good for the President -- he pointed out that federal employees already have privatization.



VP: 8:33pm So, no selling kidneys of aborted fetuses to gay couples. Or did I conflate a few things?



PL: 8:37--The thing I always hate about these speeches is how they reveal the obsolescence of the concept of limited government. It's one damn program after another.



PL: 8:48--A few years ago it was the Axis of Evil. Now it's Syria. Iran, too. And finally: a message for the Iranian people. "As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you." I've never understood why we don't do more of this.



PL: 8:56--The stuff on the benefits of Iraqi freedom is powerful. Back to back shots of Hillary and John Kerry applauding, but not looking happy. Kerry looks sick, too.



CQ: 8:58 - Sgt. Bill Norwood's parents get hugs and handshakes, and it's not easy to type through this ...



VP: 9:00pm If you're not tearing up a little right now, you're not watching. Again, words fail. Back in 90 seconds.



CQ: 9:01 - A terrific and inspiring finish to one of George Bush's best policy speeches



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