(Community Matters) The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive response by most Americans.
The litany approach versus thematic or ideological resulted in something for everyone, touching & inspiring most. Though, likely not for trial lawyers; I didn’t realize the evidence supported medical malpractice reform. I loved and appreciate the shout out to LGBT equality and DA/DT repeal.
Ryan and Bachmann of course had a much easier job, and their pieces were clearly thematic, probably rewarding to their bases. I, personally, didn’t like either of these, but they might have worked for their audiences. Wondering how Ryan’s polled with independents.
Wasn’t my very favorite SOTU, but while we were watching, Graham Reynolds reminded us that polls in the last few decades have shown the most effective SOTU speeches took a litany approach rather than going for poetic or inspiring. It was great watching with Diane Land, Steve Adler, James Aldrete & Graham. Unfortunately, ST was at a Wheatsvile Coop board meeting.
pinched from The Daily Dish:
25 Jan 2011 10:34 pm
by Patrick Appel
Full text of the speech here. The NYT compares the words used in SOTU speeches since Roosevelt. Nyhan calls the SOTU the “most overcovered event in politics relative to the amount of the news that’s made.” His take on the spin:
Instant polls of people who watch the speech are meaningless (it’s a non-random sample skewed toward the president’s supporters, among other problems).
The claim that presidents get a bounce from the speech is a widely debunked myth (most don’t).
Legislative seating may matter over the long term, but not for one night.
Drezner:
[T]he percentage of the speech devoted to microeconomic “competitiveness” issues vastly exceeds the amount devoted to long-term macroeconomic policy. If the federal government really wants to create a better climate for innovation, it needs to send a credible signal that steps are being taken to deal with long-term budgetary problems. That section of the speech was, er, less solid.
Alana Goodman:
Obama reaffirms the importance of supporting democracy movements around the world. This type of rhetoric had been toned down during his administration, and so it’s nice to hear him say it so firmly tonight: “And tonight, let us be clear: the United States of America stands with the people of Tunisia, and supports the democratic aspirations of all people.”
Continue reading →
(Community Matters) I’m floored that the opening meetings act would be interpreted to dissuade council members from discussing and finding compromises & solutions prior to the public meetings where they take additional citizen input and arrive at final decisions. AAS story. 
Community Matters 
