Jeff Stahler for January 14, 2016

Well, McConnell’s pledge to bring the country to a grinding halt, make everyone miserable and make him a one-term president worked out pretty well, didn’t it? Think how much more unhappy you’d be if Congress had worked on behalf of the American people instead of their Wall Street overlords.

Yep, but don’t worry, this wasn’t Obama’s last SOTU speech. He will have one next year, mark my words.

It’s a helluva lot better than having 8 years of Republican Presidents – considering the candidates they keep fielding. Not one has the gravitas of any of the Democrats. Bernie for Pres!

Hmmmm, I kinda remember how Bush left the state of the union and I can’t complain.

I’m glad he didn’t mention the U.S. military is adequate to meeting the demands of just one major regional conflict.

Yes; he did miss putting an Egg in everyone’s Beer, and a Chicken in every pot!

Guess that this is NOT the kind of reality TV you want to binge on?

Not everyone in the world is displeased

Seven, Jeff. It’s only seven.

It wasn’t a bad speech, but it wasn’t a great speech.

I know that the guy’s heart is in the right place, but I disagree with a lot of the ways he tries to do things. Good intentions aside, he’s not qualified for the job. Because of this, America is perceived as being weak giving fodder to what’s-his-face who wants to make America Great AGAIN?

Obama was right about America’s potential and in the political divide that he admits widened during his administration (taking responsibility and not throwing subordinates under the bus is one trait of leadership – give the man a point this time). Strong leadership could realize the potential and narrow the divide.

Unfortunately, our current crop of candidates with at least mediocre leadership skills are associated with politics that scare the bejesus out of me.

Obama might have been a decent president had he more experience than an absentee junior senator from Chicago (let’s face it, the rest of the state doesn’t matter.)

Bush’s final SOTU “By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great and noble nation could be built on the liberty that resides in the hearts of all men and women. By trusting the people, succeeding generations transformed our fragile young democracy into the most powerful nation on Earth and a beacon of hope for millions. And so long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the state of our Union will remain strong.” Obama’s final SOTU“That’s the America I know. That’s the country we love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. That’s what makes me so hopeful about our future. Because of you. I believe in you. That’s why I stand here confident that the State of our Union is strong.” From either side of the isle – Our country is strong and remains so because of our people and the determination to make our own lives better. Through trust, optimism, secured liberty and unconditional love we will remain strong.

Let’s face it, Trump would not be the front runner if he didn’t have his own opening 5 minutes every night on the evening news. The reason he gets 5 minutes of free advertising is that he’s entertaining. He’s a good “shock jock” and that puts ratings for reality TV and evening news (the same thing in my opinion) through the roof.

In politics, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.