Update: Title changed to reflect the more significant additions to the diary
Well, OK, I wasn't thrilled with his continuing embrace of "clean coal" or nuclear energy. HOWEVER, there was only one passage where I was really ready to leap into the TV screen and tell Pres. Obama to add something to his statement:
"So no, I will not give up on changing the tone of our politics. I know it's an election year. And after last week, it is clear that campaign fever has come even earlier than usual. But we still need to govern. To Democrats, I would remind you that we still have the largest majority in decades, and the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills. And if the Republican leadership is going to insist that sixty votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town, then the responsibility to govern is now yours as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. So let's show the American people that we can do it together. This week, I'll be addressing a meeting of the House Republicans. And I would like to begin monthly meetings with both the Democratic and Republican leadership. I know you can't wait."
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that he called the GOP out on their "filibuster everything" mantra, but he didn't go far enough.
I would've LOVED for it to be altered ever so slightly to the following:
"And if the Republican leadership is going to insist that sixty votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town, then the responsibility to govern is now yours as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership. I should remind them--AND the Democrats--that no, you don't need sixty votes in the Senate for everything. If our Republican friends won't join us in fixing things, I call upon Majority Leader Reid to follow the Senate rules to fix what he can using a simple majority. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. So let's show the American people that we can do it together."
Yes, he chastized the GOP for going filibuster crazy, but the way he worded it also made it seem like there wasn't a damned thing that the Democrats could--or even SHOULD--do about it. He should have made it clear to the public--as well as reminding the media, which has bought into the "60 votes for everything" lie--what the realities of the Senate are.
Doing so would've helped clear the path for using reconciliation on HCR and other measures in the public eye.
Update: As samantha in oregon pointed out below, Obama did do a pretty good job of making it clear that it was the Senate that's been gumming up the works, not the House.
I just hope it wasn't too subtle for Reid et al to get through their heads--it seemed pretty obvious to me, but Reid hasn't exactly been the quickest to pick up on the obvious:
Jobs Bill:
The House has passed a jobs bill that includes some of these steps. As the first order of business this year, I urge the Senate to do the same. People are out of work. They are hurting. They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay.
Financial Reform (Consumer Protection):
The House has already passed financial reform with many of these changes. And the lobbyists are already trying to kill it. Well, we cannot let them win this fight. And if the bill that ends up on my desk does not meet the test of real reform, I will send it back.
Energy/Climate Bill:
I am grateful to the House for passing such a bill last year. This year, I am eager to help advance the bipartisan effort in the Senate.
Education Bill:
When we renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, we will work with Congress to expand these reforms to all fifty states. Still, in this economy, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job. I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges, which are a career pathway to the children of so many working families.