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DISAPPOINTING SEBELIUS.
The Internet Gods chose last night, smack in the middle of the State of the Union, to crash the Prospect site, so please excuse our lack of live commentary on the speech. I had been excited about Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' official Democratic rejoinder, but her speech left me cold. It relied on feel-good platitudes over any real, specific critique of President Bush. An entire passage on S-CHIP failed to mention that Bush had vetoed the legislation, denying 10 million children health care. Is there any easier shot to take? Is there any more important domestic issue in America today? And on the war, Sebelius simply did not say it should end. Sample fuzzy-wuzzy line:
The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready - ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new President to restore America's role in the world, and fight a more effective war on terror.
This rhetoric felt like a time machine back to 2004. Don't we now know enough and aren't we tough enough to critique the surge happy-talk?
Sebelius is expected in the coming days to endorse Barack Obama. But that hasn't stopped Obama from releasing this much, much better response speech to the SOTU. I recommend it.
--Dana Goldstein
COMMENTS (8)
Curiously, I had the opposite reaction to her speech--a breath of fresh air from the pols/press wonkish focus on detailed policy positions while hitting the major themes raised by Bush's latest polemic and inviting him gently to the new realities. I happened on her speech while channel surfing and knew nothing about her but was impressed.
Posted by: J Doyle | January 29, 2008 9:58 AM
My reaction to Sibelius's speech was that we were seeing an Obama speech given by someone with one-tenth his charisma. The same "we are all Americans" platitudes without any real spark. Hopefully, she's better in other media, as she did not inspire here.
Posted by: Dantheman | January 29, 2008 10:37 AM
Even aside from substance, I found her delivery so monotonous that I couldn't pay attention. Why on Earth put on a speaker this lackluster? Geroge W may be an annoying orator, but she made him look very good by comparison.
Posted by: Invigilator | January 29, 2008 10:51 AM
I couldn't help but noticed your mention of shot Sebelius could have taken, and that you took her to task for not criticizing Bush. That's probably where you and I disagree. As much as I hate Bush, I'm tired of democratic party politics being all about Bush and how stupid he is, and how badly we need to get the republicans out of power. If the best thing that we as democrats can say about ourselves is that we are more fit to govern than Bush, we aren't saying very much. My 15 year old cousin is more fit to govern than Bush. I think Sebelius is trying to move away from criticizing the other side and more towards being about constructive ideas. Call it boring, but after the last 8 years of bitter partisanship, I'm ready for some boring. I'll get my entertainment from my TV and look to my political leaders to govern without taking potshots at each other.
Posted by: Dave, Atlanta, GA | January 29, 2008 12:22 PM
Her speech pulled my out of the 71% that oppose Bush. I want change too, but how about something to get excited about. Her stiff presentation and lack of passion keeps me looking elsewhere.
Posted by: Chris, Kansas City, MO | January 29, 2008 2:48 PM
The Democratic Party had a choice with their speaker last night. It could have been someone who is a red state Democrat like Sebelius or Kaine (VA) who would give a feel good response and show that Dems can compete in purple and red states, or they could have a Howard Dean type who would throw red meat to the base/TAPPED writers. I think they chose wisely.
Posted by: Eric | January 29, 2008 4:35 PM
I thought the rhetorical device of "join us Mr. President" was lame & missed the mark. Message should have been more of "old gasbag just told us more of the same. Whatever. Give us more Democrats in the House and Senate and White House, and here's what WE will do."
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