Cruz calls it a 'circus': the State of the Union spectacle begins

washington Times ^ | January 24, 2014, 03:25PM | Jennifer Harper

[SoConPubbie]

It is is political theater at its most frantic: the State of the Union address - SOTU in popular parlance - may now stand for “so too” much. The annual rite is amplified by shrill news coverage and endlessly endlessly punctuated by partisan applause, planned distractions, mystifying protocols and annoying insider behaviors. The speech-as-spectacle has strayed from the austere path recommended in Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution which advises that the president of the moment shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

Yes, well. It’s oh, so much more these days. The masters of showmanship over at the White House are using the speech on Tuesday night to drum up the Democratic cause, offering an “enhanced broadcast” and “exclusive graphics” to those who sign up for it. Speechwriters also offered a coyly blurred image of the marked up address draft via the White House Instagram account. There could be a reason for showbiz-style audience engagement here, though. Mr. Obama drew 52.4 million viewers during his first address in 2009. Last year, the audience was 33.3 million.

One Texas Republican imagined what the prime-time performance would entail. “I’m having visions of going to the circus and seeing clowns juggling things on fire,” sighed Sen. Ted Cruz during a radio appearance with host Glenn Beck.

All the trappings aside, length seems to matter to Democrats. Consider that Ronald Reagan’s annual addresses averaged 40 minutes each, according to a count from the University of California. Former Presidents George H.W.Bush averaged 45 minutes, Bill Clinton averaged 75 minutes, George W. Bush 52 minutes and Mr. Obama 64 minutes.

[SoConPubbie]

	"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[SoConPubbie]

Ted Cruz Ping!

If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.

Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!

[ronnie raygun]

The rat drones will stand and applaud like a women with an orgasm, criminals for criminals and those on the fringes now that if they dont they’ll be someone watching to take care of business as time goes on.

[Licensed-To-Carry]

Are there any non-democrats who have the courage to boycott this 3-ringer? All Tea Party members should just stay home.

I would love to see about 1/3 of the place just empty, kinda like 0bama's head.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I agree with Ted. Lots of monkeys dancing around with one another, clapping and doing “standing “O”s on cue for their “Dear Leader”. Ummmm. Ummmm. Ummmm. Kind of like a Planet of the Apes sequel. The Congress of the Apes.

[Russ]

I haven’t watched an Obama SOTU address yet and I have no plans to watch this one. I do not allow him in my house. I will also not watch the pundits swoon over him and his speech following his propaganda to the nation.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“I haven’t watched an Obama SOTU address yet and I have no plans to watch this one. “

I watched a bit of his first one, but bailed out in disgust. Can’t stand hearing his voice. Will be here instead for this one.

[digger48]

Who is going to be the annointed “Victim” highlighted sitting with the First Mooch this year?

A black/hispanic Muslim transgender that owes his/her life to Obamacare for furnishing their birthcontrol?

[digger48]

I can’t stand to even read the words that bass turd says anymore, let alone watch so much as 2 seconds of him.

[Texas Eagle]

Hopefully the Republicans will get this guy to do their response.

[LostInBayport]

I haven’t watched an Obama SOTU address yet and I have no plans to watch this one.

I think I watched one or two but I no longer have tv. It is a wonderful thing with my exposure to him being limited to photos in news articles or Drudge (and most of those mock him).

Although I go to YouTube to watch a clip from the SOTU if Obama locks eyes with Sean Hannity and flubs his speech. I bet all Sean would have to do is smile and wave at him.

[VerySadAmerican]

The country is in just great shape, according to the democrats. Obama should stick to the lie and tell the world what a wonderful state the country is in.

And every republican should scream “You lie!” at the end of each lie.

[Jane Long]

That would be priceless. To see 0 glancing away from his TOTUS, only to lock eyes with Hannity or El Rushbo in the audience. The "um's, er's and ah's" would stumble out of his lyin' mouth.

It would be the same stammering, stuttering and glazed over looked he had in his first (?) debate with Mittens.

[cripplecreek]

[skeeter]

Funniest thing I’ve seen all day.

[cripplecreek]

That was from the state of the union speech last year.

[rcofdayton]

I don’t even watch the Republican SOTU address. It’s just theater.

[digger48]

that gif tells a lot

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

If Cruz is elected president, an easy change for him to make would be to return to the old tradition of the president just sending a text version of the SOTU, instead of having a big dog and pony show, wasting millions of dollars.

[matthew fuller]

There is a standing boycott of the communist in chief at my house- fast forward, or watch a previously recorded show instead. I can find out what he was lying about later.