[Posted on the original RAWbservations. Comments Unavailable.]


I didn't agree with a lot of what Locke had to say, but I still maintain that he is a lot more impressive than any of the candidates I've seen step up to the presidential plate. He's probably waiting for 2008 or beyond and that's probably wise, but I'm not sure what a 2 term governor of a mid-to-large-sized state has to prove.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 9:30 PM
2 Observations




Locke complains that we shouldn't be drilling in Alaska because we should invest in technology to reduce need. Uhhhh Gary, Bush had a plan for that. AND IT'S NOT AN EITHER/OR PROPOSITION!!!!

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 9:26 PM
Observate!




"That wouldn't save Medicare... that would privatize it." -Gov. Locke

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 9:24 PM
Observate!




So tax cuts + more spending = less debt... that's politician math for you.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 9:21 PM
5 Observations




"Prosperity is only a Democratic victory away!" -Locke, more or less.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 9:20 PM
Observate!




I'm watching Gary Locke now... Democrats have a "specific plan?"

Greg, can you tell me what the hell this specific plan is?

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 9:19 PM
2 Observations




Response from Senator Kennedy: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 9:04 PM
Observate!




One of the camera angles they're using makes the auditorium look a lot like a small room like a VFW hall.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:59 PM
Observate!




Bush is talking about Iraq right now... and talking and talking. It's quite potent stuff and it's rather obvious that Bush feels very strongly about it. I haven't actually seen him talk about it before, just read clips of what he's had to say. It's much stronger delivered in person. The plain language (for the most part) is more penetrating than would be Clinton's more gusto speech. I think this style hurts him on the speeches on the domestic programs, it really, really helps here.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:57 PM
Observate!




Mark my words: John Kerry will never be President.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:50 PM
Observate!




Is it me or was Arlan Specter looking at his cell phone during the ovation?

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:50 PM
Observate!




John McCain ain't lookin' so good...

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:48 PM
2 Observations




"It's more than to follow a process, it's to achieve a result."... I like that line.

"Yet the course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others"... BEAUTIFUL!

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:46 PM
Observate!




Bush's point about a single location for all terrorist threats to go is one of the reason I'm not as uncomfortable with the DHS as I otherwise would be. If there was one thing that I took from it, it's that we had all this information in all these different places, but no one could do a whole lot with it. It'll be big and bloated, sure, but it's necessary. Those who say "this war will be fought overseas" act as though it's an either/or. That's like saying "World War II will be fought in Japan" and leaving Europe aside. We can follow them across the globe, but as long as they can come here, the war will be brought home to us. God willing, the DHS will help us fight that war. The lack of Civil Service Protection hopefully means it will stay limber enough to be as big as necessary, but not become an aggregate interest in its own via the government workers unions and the like.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:45 PM
Observate!




"And look at it this way, they are no longer a threat to America and their allies." -GWB

Is it me, or did the Democrats take an unusually long time to stand up. Not intending innuendo, I think they were just caught off-guard. I was a bit.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:38 PM
2 Observations




Mark my words: John Kerry will never be President.

If he ever becomes such, God help us. Not because he would screw things up that badly (he would be bad, but not that bad), but because if the United States turns to him as the answer, I'd hate to know what the problem is. It would have the be the stuff of apocalyptic science fiction novels.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:36 PM
Observate!




The partial birth abortion issue is a winner for Republicans and those who have been suggesting that it's a sign of Republican overreach are out of touch with the public discomfort with abortion in general, particularly the more gruesome methods. Politically, abortion is a loser for Republicans... but that's the exception.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:32 PM
9 Observations




I actually appreciate Bush's plans to throw more money into research. It's one of the few things that the government really can compete with the private sector on, in part because it's usually done through contracts. If the University of Houston fails, University of North Texas might get the next contract. And, despite my political leanings, I am in favor of much greater gasoline efficiency, if it's carried out right. I'd feel more comfortable with General Motors at work on it, but if the government can help, then by all means. Republicans say that our dependence on foreign oil means that we should drill in Alaska and so forth, Democrats say it means that we should create more efficient cars. I think both are a good idea.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:27 PM
Observate!




That was beautiful! Bush is complaining about frivolous lawsuits and they show John Edwards! Beautiful!

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:22 PM
4 Observations




"The choice for" stuck in front of a phrase can mean so much

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:21 PM
Observate!




George W. Bush For Hospital Cheif of Staff? Hurm... [tapping foot]

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:19 PM
Observate!




[This line of criticism of Bush was removed prior to actually posting it. Good work, W.]

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:19 PM
Observate!




Hell F'in yeah! He's finally getting to SS reform.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:17 PM
Observate!




"Spending discipline in Washington DC."

That's like "snow in Houston" or "St. John in Hell."

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:17 PM
Observate!




You tell'em, Dubya! End the Dividend tax now! That's not just a lower-taxes thing, I'd rather see regular rates higher without a dividend tax instead of lower rates with one.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:16 PM
Observate!




NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Tax credits. Dammit Bush you're a Republican. Throwing more credits and nonsense in the tax-code just makes it that much more complicated.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:15 PM
2 Observations




Hey, a Democrat just stood up for cutting taxes! Is that Zell Miller?

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:13 PM
1 Observation




I strongly hope what he means when he says that we won't put the problems off a generation that he is serious about reforming Social Security.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:11 PM
Observate!




... or, for that matter, "our union is patheticall weak. How the hell did that happen?!"

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:10 PM
4 Observations




Has a president ever said "We are now at a time when there isn't anything important happening whatsoever." ?

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:08 PM
Observate!




Denny Hastert, please don't retire in 2004.

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:08 PM
Observate!




Tom DeLay and Nanci Pelosi side by side. How appropriate...

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:05 PM
Observate!




You hear that potential assassins? John Ashcroft is the designated survivor. They should do this year around so as to make sure that President Bush is safe...

posted by R. Alex Whitlock at 8:03 PM
Observate!




At the request of a friendly blogger, I will be blogging my thoughts throughout President Bush's State of the Union speech. No, no, hold the applause. It's the least I can do. Really. No, really, it's too much!

Anyway... on with the show.

-30-