Obama to reintroduce himself during State of the Union

abcnews ^

[traumer]

Populist or professor? Contrite or uncompromising?

President Obama will have a chance Wednesday to reintroduce himself to the nation when he delivers his first official State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.

The prime-time speech, which will be aired on all major TV networks and cable stations, could hardly come at a more critical time for a president grappling with double-digit unemployment, sinking poll numbers and the possible collapse of his top domestic policy priority, an overhaul of the nation's health-care system.

"As often as the president has spoken over the past year, critics on the right and left have largely defined him," says University of Notre Dame American studies professor Robert Schmuhl. "For the State of the Union, he needs to redefine himself, who he is politically and what his core principles and policies are."

In Ohio on Friday, just three days after Democrats lost the 60th Senate vote that gave them an edge in pushing their agenda through Congress, Obama struck a decidedly populist tone.

Shunning a necktie for a midday town hall-style meeting in Elyria, Obama told the crowd again and again that he'll "never stop fighting" for them on issues from health care and jobs to education and accountability.

On Wednesday, however, the setting will be decidedly different: formal and steeped in history and tradition.

When he speaks to the nation from the House of Representatives' chamber, he will take "the biggest stage the president has" to speak to the people, says Michael Gerson, White House speechwriter for George W. Bush.

How he responds to last week's message from Massachusetts voters, who gave Republican Scott Brown the seat held by Sen. Edward Kennedy for nearly five decades, could set the political course for the next year and beyond.

[RichInOC]

It’s not exactly the freshest observation, but there’s no such thing as a second chance to make a first impression.

[La Enchiladita]

Barf-o-rama!!!!

[ArrogantBustard]

[Matchett-PI]

"He has been in our faces everyday that he has been in office for over a year! How does he think he is going to 'reintroduce' himself?! Someone is living a a fantasy world and it AIN'T US!

[AmericaUnite]

Can’t watch or listen to him. His lofty, halting speech is like nails on a chalk board.

[Matchett-PI]

"You know, I think you're on to something. Have the President sit down between Speaker Polosi and Senator Reid, that way the cameras will still be on him as he stares blankly into space with his chin up. Then, put the real President in front of the microphone and let him roll. I've always said the best thing to do is give someone an open microphone and time to talk. President Soros is someone I'm definitely interested in listening to. He appears to have the game plan, so let's cut out the middle man. He can simply revert to being proud of his mentor and benefactor. .."

[1000 silverlings]

Hopefully Joe Wilson has prepared his speech as well

lol, they'll stop him at the door

[ColdOne]

LOL!

[giotto]

Shunning a necktie for a midday town hall-style meeting in Elyria

Again with the no-necktie thing. I'm starting to wonder if there is something to this.

[Always Independent]

Once there was a silly young man.

Thought he’d punch a hole in the dam.

Turned out to be just a scam.

He had HIGH HOPES!

Plouffe there goes another president!

[Matchett-PI]

"....Like the comedian "carrot top" you started out with a big box of tricks...but now we've seen most of them, and you're running low. The "hope" trick is dead, the "change" trick is exposed for the hoax it is, and all of your other tricks don't add up mathmatically, or as common sense. ..."

[PA-RIVER]

They hate us and that’s hard to hide. I bet a 100 bucks they spit on George Washingtons picture in the Whitehouse.

[Luke21]

“ABC is very definitely in the enemy camp and has been for years ... even more so today.”

Jennings, Koppel, and Donaldson had it in for Reagan. This isn’t new.

[dblshot]

I think Johnathon Round did the best version of Symphony for the Devil. Tried to find a copy on e-bay to no avail a few yers ago.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

I disagree.

Obama DOES have core principles.

Communism, socialism, fascism, tyranny, self-centeredness,
lying....

[thulldud]

Barry OBumbler wants a do over.

"All I want is a second chance to make a good first impression!"

[Macgedos]

The only thing I would believe is if he would tell the real truth, that he is working with everyone that hates America and plans to destroy everything America stands for in this world. That would be the real truth but instead he will tell another lie and “hope” it fly’s.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

He should just come out and say I AM A TELEPROMPTER

[CRBDeuce]

The prime-time speech, which will be aired on all major TV networks and cable stations, could hardly come at a more critical time for a president grappling with double-digit unemployment, sinking poll numbers and the possible collapse of his .... economy. And his answer is:

(Drum roll here)

"Do you know who I am! (chin thrust here)

[CRBDeuce]

...and tonite we’ll hear from Dingy Harry, Tuna Pelosi, and Dingle Berry himself.