September 16, 2005
Good Speech
I have been trying to absorb some punditry this morning. I sometimes change my position on a Bush speech up or down, but not today, I'm going with initial reaction.
It has surprised me how all-over-the-map the response has been. On FOXNews (Rupert Murdoch -- boo hiss!!!) after the speech, W got pretty good marks from Mort Kondracke, Nina Easton (Boston Globe) and Charles Krauthammer. Speakers Gingrich and Livingstone were both positive, as was Sen. John Breaux.
Then, I clicked over to MSNBC and you'd've thought the President spent a half hour killing puppies. Conservatives Tony Blankley, Tucker Carlson and host Joe Scarborough were excoriating the President. Former Clinton Aide Dee Dee Meyers had the sense to step back end say "if you guys don't like it..."
The jk position:
- Hell, yes, we're gonna spend money, and much will be wasted. Sorry. This is a huge disaster and will require public funds.
- This is W. This will be like No Child Left Behind, matching a conservative concept with tons of spending.
- I was impressed with two significant conservative ideas worked into the plan: calling for a gulf coast "Enterprise Zone" and the "Homesteading Act" (man, Jack Kemp is smiling smugly somewhere...)
He also put his other agenda items back on track, with a comprehensive and sober speech. The imagery of Jackson Square was brilliant. Over one shoulder, St. Peter's, President Jackson over the other. General Jackson would not give up, would not rebuild an American City. And our nation’s religious heritage stands for rebuilding and redemption.
I give it a B+