[Cruz]

Good post. I especially like....

"The venom is bubbling on websites like Kos, where Tuesday afternoon, after the Alito vote, various leftists wrote in such comments as "F--- our democratic leaders," "Vichy Democrats" and "F--- Mary Landrieu, I hope she drowns." The old union lunch-pail Democrats are dead, the intellects of the Kennedy and Johnson era retired or gone, and this--I hope she drowns--seems, increasingly, to be the authentic voice of the Democratic base"

The democratic party is in worse shape than I thought. It is a dying party.

[Poser]

While I disagree with Peggy about the speech, she's still a hot babe and a great writer.

Her observations about Mrs. Bill Clinton were accurate, but the target is just too easy.

[Wiseghy]

Sounds like Noonan is deeply disappointed that the Prez did not go off the deep end and give the Dems some raw meat to raise money and interest with. Instead, she whines on intently about her side being confused.

Sounds like the speech was a strategic victory, and '06 is looking bad for their side. You could hardly wish for more from a SOTU.

[jonrick46]

"When the president joked that two people his father loves are turning 60 this year, himself and Bill Clinton--why does he think constant references to that relationship work for him?"

President Bush uses symbolism in his speech that many take literally. For one who reads his Bible, symbolism can be a powerful tool in communications. The relationship between Bill Clinton and President Bush 41 is the proverbial father and son relationship drawn together by a common bond. Bush 43 reinforced that symbol by saying that was the same love his father had for him. It also was a Christian love. Such was also a relationship that drives DemonRATs to rage. If I were to characterize that relationship, I would say it symbolically represents a cross that does have its impact if you are a DemonRAT. The look on Hitlary's face reflects that horror as some demon that had a cross flashed in her face. It was good to pick out the below the surface hits on the DemonRATs in the SOTU.

[MNJohnnie]

Yeah, we really need to waste any time with has beens like Mrs "The Media is doing a superb job in covering Katrina" Noonan. She is still bent out of shape cause she did not get hired as a Bush Speech Writers. She has nothing to say anymore.

[Texas Jack]

...that political democracy is in and of itself a certain bringer of world-wide peace, than this speech was for you. If not, not. It went through a reported 30 drafts, was touched by many hands, and seemed it. Not precisely a pudding without a theme, but a thin porridge.

Was this really printed in the WSJ?

I believe the correct word is then.

[Itzlzha]

Wow, did Peggy bring out the 'Bots or what?!

When the president joked that two people his father loves are turning 60 this year, himself and Bill Clinton--why does he think constant references to that relationship work for him?

This has the 'Bots in high dudgeon...how dare she not fall in line and worship the "Cult of Bush"! It's some vast "strategery" that has him and his Father sullying themselves with an Impeached Rapist P.O.S. that attacks them at any chance...yeah, That's the Ticket!

I love how they all gush when a Conservative writer write a pro GWB article...but if the writer criticizes the demi-G_d "Beloved Leader"...then it's..

The difference between a Bot and a Conservative is...Conservatives can criticize Reagan for his mistakes in policy and judgement, yet still know what a great Man, and President he was...

A 'Bot, or a Clintonista (same diffence, just the Golden Calf looks different) cannot even abide the slightest critique or observation that the "Second Coming" may be doing it wrong.

That is what is wrong, and that is why Conservatives are no longer willing to drink the fruity-flavored punch served by the RNC anymore!

And that is why having an (R) or a (D) after the name doesn't matter...both act the same way. Principles and Ideals have been replcaed by Political Calculations and expediency in a desire to "Wiiiiin", without realizing the win is useless if it means sacrificing who and what you are to actually win!

[MHT]

I think that she has read "Blink" and been working on her facial expressions. She knew this would be free airtime and, following the ideas of "Blink", she worked at manipulating her muscles to "speak without saying a word".

[Old Professer]

Noonan's use of this phrase, "The president's State of the Union Address will be little noted and not long remembered," however Lincolnesque, was a tipoff that her heart still longs for the true Republican leader of our time and the many speeches she wrote for him; let's face it, George Bush is no Ronald Reagan.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

Great article once again, Peggy Noonan.

Whenever the weirdos and pretend-conservatives on Free Republic knock you, well then you know you just had an article that you "knocked out of the park".

Homerun!

[InterceptPoint]

My only explanation is that Peggy Noonan was watching a different State of the Union speech than I was. I thought Bush was pretty much spot on.

[RockinRight]

Peggy Noonan has become Pat Buchanan in a dress...

[Tribune7]

I like Peggy. I think though she's overly concerned with style when it comes to presidential speeches.

[milltech]

Kind of harsh regarding Peggy. She's a talented writer even though I do not always agree with her point of view. I thought the main thrust of the article was the implosion of the Democratic Party. Also, I think W was just being polite when he referred to Clinton. Do we have to be zinging each other all the time? Who's got the energy?

PS As a 55 year old male I think Peggy's still "hot." So there -).

[Hi Heels]

"world-wide peace, than this speech was for you. If not, not. It went through a reported 30 drafts, was touched by many hands, and seemed it."

uh, Peggy? It would be "then" as in "then this speech was for you". How many hands touched YOUR rant? eesh. "and seemed it"? Just plain bad writing IMHO, all Bush bashing aside.

[spikeytx86]

um... guys, you know the article was making fun of democrats and not us right?

[ElPatriota]

There was only one unforgettable moment, and that was in a cutaway shot, of Hillary Clinton, who simply must do something about her face

LOL!

...Actually I though here rear end is getting kind of voluminous... even though they try to cover it. Fair or not, that is something she has to "deal" with, not to mentioned that "her boy" has developed a taste for other... well, you know what I mean :)

[Huck]

he chose to redeclare his beliefs rather than argue for them in any depth.

What else is new? That's what GWB's been doing for going on 6 years now.

[TChad]

Peggy still believes in a nobler future America united by a shared conservative vision. Through her speeches, she once strove to grow the conservative movement by appealing to the humanity of fence-sitting Democrats. It must be discouraging and frustrating for her to see the rise of the Kos / DU lunatic faction as the new Democrat base. There is not enough humanity there to bother with.

Peggy shouldn't be giving such memorable sound bites to the enemy -- we could have done without the "at not to" comment -- but part of her value is that she is honest both in her praise and her criticism. I respect her and will continue to read her.