Opinion: 2010 State of the Union Response – A Call to Action

by Amanda Haas

There’s policy … and then there’s politics.

It’s tough for any administration or elected official to successfully balance both.  Over the last several months, President Obama’s administration and the Democrats in Congress have taken quite a few political punches.  And in the age of instant gratification, I know that many Americans might see this past year as a failure.

But in his first State of the Union speech, President Obama reminded this country why we voted for him in the first place and exactly how hard he has worked since we elected him.

In his address, the President was everything America needs him to be.  Hopeful, honest, courageous, and above all, willing to lead.  “We all hated the bank bailout,” he admitted, while reminding the room that he wasn’t elected to only make decisions that are popular.  And it was clear that many aspects of his speech weren’t popular with everyone.

The President wasn’t afraid to tackle the big issues in his speech – the economy, jobs, government spending, and financial reform.  It was clear to me by the end of this address that this President truly understands what is on the minds of the American people and feels their frustration and growing distrust of the federal government.

What impressed me most about this address was how the President addressed the members of Congress on both sides of the aisle directly.  After so many months of political bickering and the stalling of legislation, the President made it clear tonight that he would not wait any longer for Congress to get serious about moving forward.  And I think that beyond any of the specific actions that he called for (among them a jobs bill, a national export initiative, a comprehensive energy and climate bill, health insurance reform, and an executive order to create a bi-partisan fiscal commission) his willingness to stand up to the immaturity that has plagued the U.S. Congress as of late was the highlight of the night.

Voters are tired of the bickering.  They’re tired of the scare and stall tactics.  The President addressed both his own party and the Republicans tonight, saying that this is the time for real leadership.  After the election of Scott Brown, the Republicans seemed to declare victory over bringing the democratic majority in the Senate down to 59 from a super majority of 60.  But tonight, the President seemed to be the only one in the room ready to deliver the message that must be on the minds of so many Americans -

“If the Republican leadership is going to insist that 60 votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town, a supermajority, then the responsibility to govern is now yours, as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it’s not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions.”

In one hour, President Obama managed to achieve the ultimate balance between policy and politics.  This was easily the best political play the President has made in months, but the beauty is that it never felt like politics, and that’s probably because to him – it’s not.  It’s genuine.  President Obama was honest about the difficult time we are in (and the hard work it will take to regain our strength), but hopeful about our ability to build our way forward with cooperative effort and determination.

Above all, President Obama made clear to all doubters, skeptics, and pundits that he will not give up on the things he has promised or the goals he has set for this country – that he will not allow petty politics to define his administration or to stall the progress that the American people want and need.

As a voter who has been frustrated in the last few months by the politics and setbacks in government, I have been re-energized.  I know that this President is exactly who I voted for.  And he has reminded me of something – He won’t quit.  And I shouldn’t quit either.  None of us should.  It’s a new decade, a new year, and I am confident that the man sitting in the most powerful chair in the country is the kind of true statesmen and leader this country needs.

Amanda Haas is a 2nd year law student at Washburn School of Law and President of the Washburn Law Democrats.  She is currently an intern for House Minority Leader Paul Davis.

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