SOTU 2010

Even though I am one of the most politically active people you will ever meet, I rarely watch political speeches. Perhaps I’ve seen too many to know exactly what to expect, but I find it hard to sit through “rah-rah” speeches designed to excite the base, but containing very little real substance for the American people in general. The last time I had watched a State of the Union Address was in 2002, after the 9/11 attacks. I was already growing weary of the Bush administration’s build up to war and his speech that night was further proof the Republican Party have left me way behind. After that, I never listened to another George W. Bush speech all the way through. His stumbling and bumbling were too much for me.

The last time I watched a political speech I actually enjoyed, and one that actually moved me, was in Barack Obama’s keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. However, I am of the opinion that since that time, President Obama’s oratory skills have declined significantly. I told myself I wasn’t going to watch his State of the Union Address last night, but after reading all the comments on my Facebook and Twitter feed, and walking in on the very beginning of the replay of the speech on Fox News, I broke my vow. While every political pundit has long since published their analysis on the speech, I thought I would share my unique perspective of President Obama’s big night.

1. This President likes to hear himself talk

I’ll admit, while I may not be big on his substance, Barack Obama is a great public speaker and he knows that. There’s no shame in admitting be proud of one’s public speaking skills. I am a great public speaker and I love to hear myself talk, so I know one when I see one. This President has given more speeches in his first year in office than any other President prior and while SOTU addresses usually run long, Obama’s clocked in at well over an hour. I really can’t fault the guy on this one. If you’ve got it; flaunt it!

2. President Obama has aged A LOT! I still remember the Barack Obama from the 2004 Democratic National Convention. That Barack Obama didn’t look much different than candidate Obama on the campaign trail in 2008 or the President Obama who was inaugurated last January. However, watching the President last night I couldn’t help but to notice the graying of his hair and the aging upon his face. While you can always tell the effects of aging on a President when he leaves the office, I cannot remember another President aging so quickly.

3. NBC Should Offer Obama Their 9 PM (10 EST) slot!

While NBC executive scramble to find something to replace the failed experiment that was the Jay Leno Show, their answer was right in front of them last night. The President is a great speaker, has an ego, is smart and witty and has connections throughout the entertainment world. Indeed, this is “Hollywood’s President.” He would do a great job hosting a late night talk show, earning the network huge ratings and earning President Obama a much healthier salary than the one he enjoys as President of the United States. Plus, he is far more qualified to be a late night talk show host than the leader of the free world.

4. Stop Blaming  Bush

If you look in the archives of this blog you will find a ton of posts critical of George W. Bush. Simply put, I thought he was the worst President of my lifetime. However, Bush has been out of the White House for over a year and I can’t stand to hear Democrats continue to blame all our problems on him. Did he cause a lot of problems? Hell yes he did. Did he live our nation in a state of disaster? Yes. However, Democrats have controlled the executive and legislative branches of our government for over a year now and our nation is no better now than it was under Bush. Indeed, things have only gotten worse.

5. One Redeeming Moment

The one redeeming moment of the entire night came when President Obama promised to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the United States Armed Forces. This is long overdue. Though I didn’t vote for Obama, his election instilled in me hope that advances would be made in the fight for equality for all my brothers and sisters in the GLBT community. Sadly, Obama has failed to do anything to further the cause of this often neglected group. If he can overturn the “don’t ask; don’t tell” policy, I will have to seriously reconsider my opinion of his time in office. Until then, I give him props for at least making an effort.