The facts and some opinion.
Obama's speech, Fact Check. (Not many facts in Obama's Speech)
A look at some of his claims and how they compare with the facts:
OBAMA: "Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze government spending for three years. Spending related to our national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will not be affected. But all other discretionary government programs will. Like any cash-strapped family, we will work within a budget to invest in what we need and sacrifice what we don't."
THE FACTS: The anticipated savings from this proposal would amount to less than one percent of the deficit — and that's if the president can persuade Congress to go along.
Obama is a convert to the cause of broad spending freezes. In the presidential campaign, he criticized Republican opponent John McCain for suggesting one. "The problem with a spending freeze is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel," he said a month before the election. Now, Obama wants domestic spending held steady in most areas where the government can control year to year costs. The proposal is similar to McCain's.
FACT CHECK: Obama and the 'hatchet' job - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100128/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_fact_check - broken link)
Analysis: Humbled Obama checks boxes
WASHINGTON – Humility. Check.
Bipartisanship, debt reduction, populist anger. Check. Check. Check.
More jobs? On it.
President Barack Obama checked every political box needed to restart his troubled presidency Wednesday night, but that may not be enough to consider his State of Union address a success.
Analysis: Humbled Obama checks boxes - Yahoo! News--
Justice looks askance as Obama criticizes court
WASHINGTON – The man in the House chamber openly disagreeing with
President Barack Obama as he spoke to Congress wasn't an over-the-top Republican or a seething Democrat. He was a Supreme Court justice, Samuel Alito.
Justice looks askance as Obama criticizes court - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_state_of_the_union_scene - broken link)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
