The NYU College Democrats

Tonight it’s the first of many States of the Union joint sessions of Congress where President Obama is speaking.  I’ll be watching with the College Dems E-board and members of NYU Students Organizing for America in Kimmel.  Remember: drink every time there’s a standing ovation or Obama says the word change.  Updates to come through the speech.

9:05 “The President’s cabinet”?  How many people is the sergeant at arms going to announce?

9:12 I’ve lost count on how long the applause is.

9:14 Barack and Nancy, sitting in a tree…

9:16 Starting with the economy.  Get to the concern on everyone’s mind.

9:20 I’m watching MSNBC who is polling the speech based on Obama and McCain voters.  It’s too bad people can’t change their votes, McCain voters are giving huge approval to Obama so far.

9:25 Even though Obama said he’s not for bigger government, I’m glad that he’s highlighting the importance of the stimulus bill that just passed and how it’s going to help the country.

9:26 “Nobody messes with Joe.”  That’s a huge grin on Biden’s face there.

9:28 Obama is getting to the crux of the problem in the economy: credit must be flowing again.  He summarized it in plain English during the town-hall debate and it’s just as true today.

9:32 Obama is acknowledging the fear of a lost-decade if we refuse to act on the economy.  ARRRA won’t be the last stimulus or bailout bill that we see.  Congress cannot act in it’s interests for November 2010 in order to do this properly.  This goes for members of Congress in both parties.

9:36 There’s a major difference between tonight and past SOTU’s from Bush: Obama is not claiming to be perfect and knows that he will screw up at some point.  Stubbornness is what brought the economy to its knees.

9:39 I’m glad to hear that Obama is following on campaign promises such as green energy.  Rahm Emanuel did say to never waste a crisis, after all.

9:40 Cap-and-trade: boldest statement so far.

9:43 The growing cost of health care is the most practical approach to address the issue, but Nancy Pelosi is way too audacious in her applause.

9:47 I think Joe Biden forgot to drink his coffee…

9:48 Why does everyone love charter schools so much? Studies have shown the results are no better than regular, public schools.

9:49 “Quitting school is not quitting yourself, it is quitting your country.”  Ouch.

9:54 I’m noticing that the Republicans aren’t applauding when Obama mentions that we got this high deficit from Bush.  As Andrew Sullivan notes, Republicans will not be trusted if they fail to acknowledge Bush’s faults.

9:58 Will Obama end the war?  I hope so, but I think certain realities will complicate that challenge.

10:00 “There is no more force more powerful than the morals of America.”  MSNBC Republican line is dropping, fast.

10:03 Shout-out against protectionism.  Maybe a disappointment for some, but history shows otherwise.

10:05 That school in South Carolina that Obama just described sounds like my apartment.  If my landlord is reading, I’m kidding.

10:09 Ending on a high note, that we will be okay if we tackle our problems in unity.  I don’t have time to watch Jindal’s opposition speech, but I’ll add some remarks about that later.  

-Jack De Stefano