American Review | Global Perspectives on US Affairs

But rather than being serious and somber, the President was jovial and positive. He reiterated the success of much they had done in the previous year. In front of Congress and the American people, Obama took his chance to remind them of why he was elected.

It was a long speech, as most State of the Unions are, and naturally there are many things to talk about, but what struck me most of all the Obama has said was his willingness to take the blame. It was his willingness to stand up and say “much of this was my fault.”

One of the most refreshing and interesting parts of the Obama campaign was the way he’d speak to his audience. He’d take the time to explain issues and lay out his logic. Just last weekend, we went to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, from which Obama gave his speech on race during the primary campaign. Reading some of the text of that speech again reminded me of just how good Obama had been at making things understandable, and taking the time to take people through his reasoning.

At some point, in the last year, that stopped happening so often. Others grabbed hold of the narrative, and told their own stories until their voices were a cacophony of lines and slogans. Death Panels! Single payer! Public option! Socialized medicine! Bank bailout! Wall Street! Main Street!

So rather than celebrating the achievements of the last year, President Obama used the opportunity of the State of the Union to get the messaging back on track. He reminded the country of how much there is left to do, but also explained why it needed to be done. Why health care was still a priority. Why the bailout had been a necessary evil. Why any way forward requires compromise.

Obama remembered to explain, and apologized for forgetting. And while polls have showed he didn’t change many minds, he at least more closely resembled the candidate voters had elected more than a year before.

And while the State of the Union was only somewhat effective, his Question and Answer session at the Republican issues conference was far more so…

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