I refer of course to investigations of the so-called Metafilter affair
January 12, 2016 4:15 PM Subscribe

Tonight at 9 p.m. ET President Obama will give his final State of the Union address. (Barring unexpected developments.) He is expected to reflect on his legacy in office and also look towards the future with the same optimistic viewpoint which has always been a signature of his political identity.

President Obama is expected to look back at some of the goals for his Presidency that have gone unmet and urge the country to work towards progress on those issues during the time remaining in his term and in future years. President Obama hopes to use the address to set the stage for his potential successor, Hillary Clinton.

President Obama will also have to address issues relating to terrorism, both at home and abroad.

But as positive as the prime-time speech might be, the president won’t be able to gloss over, or ignore, the Dec. 2 terror attack in San Bernardino that killed 14 and injured 22.

“President Obama can’t avoid mentioning the San Bernardino attack. The real question is how he addresses it,” said Jack Pitney, a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College.

“Will he raise it in the context of terrorism or gun control? It is more likely that he will mention it as part of a discussion of terrorism. Before we knew anything about the shooters, advocates of gun control were using it as a case study. But now the focus has shifted to terrorism in general and the screening of visa applicants in particular.”

Haley, 43, is the opposite of Trump is almost every way. He is a senior citizen. She is the youngest governor in the country. He is white. She is the daughter of Indian immigrants. He is a New Yorker. She comes from a small town in South Carolina. He is a political opportunist. She is a tea party conservative. He is a he. She is a she.

And while Trump has recently fashioned himself into America’s principal avatar of right-wing intolerance, demonizing Mexicans, Muslims, and Megyn Kelly, among others, Haley has emerged as a lonely symbol of Republican inclusiveness, leading the charge in the wake of June’s Charleston church massacre to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state capitol and denouncing Trump’s divisive rhetoric on numerous occasions since then.

Chair of the DNC Debbie Wasserman Schultz has said that Haley was picked solely because the Republican party has a diversity problem, suggesting that her record of serious mistakes and not her identity is the key issue people should focus on. “Haley’s failed record gives her no credibility whatsoever. In fact it exemplifies exactly why the last thing we need is a Republican to make the same mistakes at the national level.”

As is tradition, many special guests will be present. They are invited both by the President and by members of Congress.

This year there will be 23 people watching the president's address with Michelle Obama, and a 24th chair left empty for the victims of gun violence in America.

Among the president's guests are a DREAMer, a gay rights activist and a Syrian refugee. Several veterans and active-duty service members — including the Air Force staff sergeant who helped tackle a gunman on a train bound for Paris last summer — will watch from the first lady's box as well.

Politco asks in the face of a nation perpetually described as strong, "Just which state is the strongest?" New Hampshire, really? One might begin to suspect the true state of the union is just bonkers.

posted by Drinky Die (478 comments total) 17 users marked this as a favorite

The Socialist Alternative response will be given by Kshama Sawant, of course, and though you probably won't like everything she says, you'll be way less likely to throw large objects at your television/computer screen if you watch Sawant instead of Haley.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:20 PM on January 12, 2016 [14 favorites]

Maybe he will arrest congress.
posted by clavdivs at 4:20 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

Remember, if you can see a US flag with gold fringe on your TV during the address, that means your living room (or wherever you're watching TV) is an Admiralty Court! Whoever points this out first has sovereign command over the TV-viewing area and can invoke common law to order the person next to them to go in the kitchen and bring them a beer.
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:23 PM on January 12, 2016 [129 favorites]

I'm proud that our Rep. is holding his seat open in honor of Amir Hekmati.

free Amir!
posted by clavdivs at 4:25 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

The the last link (the Chicago Tribune) is paywalled apparently?
posted by mrzarquon at 4:26 PM on January 12, 2016

I know I should watch this, but I really don't want to.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:26 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

You really should! I hear he's going to deliver the address in fully Ziggy Stardust facepaint, as a tribute
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [43 favorites]

As an edumacator of political scientism, I hereby absolve you of watching. Ite, missa est.

If you really want you can read the transcript later in about a minute and a half.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Yes, ChiTrib has gone to the dark side of late. Shame.
posted by rhizome at 4:33 PM on January 12, 2016

My Congressman: Honored 2 have Mamnun Haq, Muslim-Amer leader of the Bangladeshi community in Kensington, Bklyn as my #SOTU guest!
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:34 PM on January 12, 2016

Among those invited by Members of Congress: Kim Davis.

"While the President will be extolling his 'accomplishments' of the last seven years, Kim Davis and Mat Staver will be a visible reminder of the Administration's attack on religious liberty and an encouragement for people of faith to stand," the Liberty Counsel wrote in a press release. Staver is Davis' attorney and the founder of the group.

Originally, no Congress Member would admit to actually inviting her (Jim Jordan R-OH now has), which tickled me to no end.
posted by Frayed Knot at 4:37 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

There will be an empty chair, devoid of thought or reason. There will be a chair containing Kim Davis. But I repeat myself.
posted by delfin at 4:38 PM on January 12, 2016 [30 favorites]

The Huffington Post's 2016 State of the Union drinking game:

The Unexpected

Take a sip

Obama makes explicit endorsement of Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Take a swig

Obama makes explicit endorsement of Bernie Sanders in 2016.

Pound a shot

Obama announces that he's issuing an executive order allowing him to run for a third term.

Finish the bottle

Obama announces that he's issuing an even stranger and impossible-to-believe executive order allowing him to run for a third term as a Republican. "They could use the help," he says.

posted by Rangi at 4:40 PM on January 12, 2016 [19 favorites]

Originally, no Congress Member would admit to actually inviting her

That tells you all you need to know about Republican cowardice, as much about their low opinion of an embarrassment like Kim Davis.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 4:40 PM on January 12, 2016 [19 favorites]

My minor prediction: The only standing ovation from the right, when Obama mentions "this is my last state of the union address."
posted by Marky at 4:41 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

Steve King will leave a seat empty in honor of aborted babies.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:42 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

My minor prediction: The only standing ovation from the right, when Obama mentions "this is my last state of the union address."

That would be both tacky and rude; thus I wouldn't actually put it past them.

On preview: Steve King will leave a seat empty in honor of aborted babies? Amazing, they've found something even worse. To make the symbolism really clear, why not sit a fetus doll there? Would it not look human enough?
posted by Rangi at 4:43 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

I hoping Obama says something just confusing enough that the Republicans don't know whether to stand and applaude or sit and look disapproving, so they do both and end up caught in some half-standing/half-sitting loop while their brains short out.
posted by downtohisturtles at 4:46 PM on January 12, 2016 [18 favorites]

Here's a fun game, imagine how many unmarried single mothers on public assistance Rep. Steve King would also like to invite to the SotU address. Ha ha the answer is zero
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:48 PM on January 12, 2016 [28 favorites]

Finish the liquor cabinet: Obama and Biden and the Cabinet perform a full staging of Hamilton.
posted by kmz at 4:49 PM on January 12, 2016 [29 favorites]

Have a shot: Obama talks about not throwing away his shot.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:51 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

this is what one of my friends told me when I texted him about Steve King's dead baby chair:

"that’s just cruel. first they’re aborted, then they gotta sit through the state of the union address? man, babies don’t like politics!"
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [49 favorites]

I'm just here for the Ruth Bader Ginsburg keg stand.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Pro tip: choose your drinking game trigger wisely. Avoid common proper nouns like "America", and "ISIL", and common themes like "strength", "freedom", "liberty", and, "...this great nation of ours..." Also avoid the temptation to drink every time the Dems in attendance rise for a standing ovation (and equally, avoid using the Republicans' never-gona-happen standing O's as a cue to drink, unless you are a teetotaler and party-pooper). Safe drinking game triggers include the words "deficit", "oversight", and "taxes", and the proper nouns "Michelle", "Joe Biden", and "Guantanamo" -- they'll all be mentioned, but briefly, and in the case of Guantanamo, probably only once, if that.
posted by mosk at 4:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Have a shot: Obama talks about not throwing away his shot.

If he does this I'm voting for him again, ineligibility be damned.
posted by Rangi at 4:53 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

The designated survivor is Orrin Hatch, an out-of-the-box choice that means my eighteen year streak of failing to predict who fills the role remains intact!

I thought it would be Vilsack
posted by everybody had matching towels at 4:54 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Pound back a 40: Obama begins the speech with "Sup bitches?"
posted by Thorzdad at 4:56 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

Aw hell. Earlier today I was thinking I'm ready for Iowa, NH, Super Tuesday, the Florida knife fight, all of it, so now I better tune in to this. Let's creep through the frozen aisle and think one thought!
posted by vrakatar at 4:57 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

The state of the union is: plasma. A chaotic mass of opposing charges no longer constrained by the forces that once held them together.
posted by ckape at 4:58 PM on January 12, 2016 [48 favorites]

ET President Obama will give his final State of the Union address.

Whoah.
posted by christopherious at 4:59 PM on January 12, 2016 [7 favorites]

Never stop drinking
Obama makes explicit endorsement of Donald Trump in 2016.
posted by FallowKing at 4:59 PM on January 12, 2016 [24 favorites]

I envision Hatch holed up at Mt. Weather with six pack of sharks.
posted by clavdivs at 5:00 PM on January 12, 2016

Guess I better catch up on twitter while I eat dinner so that everyone livetweeting ol' Barry can destroy my timeline one last time.
posted by sparkletone at 5:03 PM on January 12, 2016

I'm holding out for at least one Hamilton quote from Obama during the speech.
posted by matildaben at 5:04 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

The Republican response will be given by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. "I always go back to that five-year-old Indian girl that lived in Bamberg that just wondered what was out there. And to be able to think that I will now have the ability to address the country is very humbling, but it's really an honor."

Some see her as a perfect Republican messenger. Andrew Romano argues that the reason Gov. Haley was chosen was because she offers a stark contrast with Donald Trump, a man some feel reflects extremely poorly on the Republican party.

Sure she's a woman, she's young and she's attractive but that's about where the opposites end. She's a self-hating woman, self-hating second generation immigrant, married white, religioned white and basically whitewashed herself. She's literally the Bobby Fucking Jindal of South Carolina. She's a fucking prop and a bad one at that. She's no better than any other slut shaming power hungry asshole the Republican party trots out as part of their token "WE GOT WOMEN SEE! AND BROWN PEOPLE! AND THEY HATE ABORTION TOO!" shtick. See also: Kelly Ayotte, Marsha Blackburn.

You want to give a decent Republican woman who's not a complete lunatic a chance to respond? Olympia Snowe was in the senate for eighteen fucking years. But Republican women like that are far gone from Congress. Instead we get shit like the "Republican's Women Caucus" that 22/24 voted for rolling back the VAWA, 15/15 against Ledbetter, and 13/15 against the Paycheck Fairness Act.

This lip service bullshit near-gaslighting of women by the Republican party absolutely fucking enrages me. To see it come to a head as part of the SOTU address makes me see red.
posted by Talez at 5:04 PM on January 12, 2016 [64 favorites]

Orrin Hatch? MAN. I thought it was gonna be Laura Roslin...
posted by bitter-girl.com at 5:05 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

This will be The Onion's last chance to bring back Diamond Joe. Don't let me down, Onion.
posted by triggerfinger at 5:10 PM on January 12, 2016 [20 favorites]

Let me get you a drink, Talez. We will be okay, just stick together and never despair.
posted by vrakatar at 5:12 PM on January 12, 2016

I'm hoping that we get the "no fucks left" Obama tonight and he just lets loose on the idiot Republicans.
posted by octothorpe at 5:12 PM on January 12, 2016 [13 favorites]

A lot of it stems from the ever-intensifying dumpster fire that is the 2016 campaign, but as the final milestones of Obama's presidency pass I just get sadder and sadder.

As much as he's been able to accomplish, it is a national tragedy the extent to which we squandered this president's talents and potential by saddling him with the shittiest Congresses in living memory for 3/4ths of his tenure. Just reflect on the energizing bursts of reform that emerged from those first two years -- the stimulus, the auto industry rescue, credit card reform, student loan reform, Dodd-Frank and the CFPB -- and just imagine what else could have been accomplished if the GOP had not gone down this path of fear and hatred and made even the meagerest compromises instead of wasting weeks and months and years on the fiscal cliff and the debt ceiling and endless slow-walking and stonewalling and repealing Obamacare 947 times with no replacement in sight. It's so exasperating to finally get such a smart, eloquent, and downright decent person into such a high office at such a pivotal moment in history and then see so much derailed by such relentlessly ugly, bad-faith, meanspirited and petty bullshit.

I just hope we as a nation have the sense not to elect someone who aims to completely dismantle what good things were accomplished, despite all the BS. It can't have been all for nothing.
posted by Rhaomi at 5:13 PM on January 12, 2016 [77 favorites]

The State of the Union is Idaho. Great year Idaho, congrats. Better luck to all the other states in 2016.
posted by DynamiteToast at 5:15 PM on January 12, 2016 [62 favorites]

I've just about had it with Republican nativism. It's not just Trump either. It comes from every god damned candidate trying to jump on the crazy bandwagon as hard as they can. State governments are continually trying to fuck people who are just trying to go about their lives. Then Governor "E-VERIFY EVERYTHING!" Haley all of a sudden makes some impassioned plea against nativism in her rebuttal?

My head explodes trying to comprehend the cognitive dissonance.
posted by Talez at 5:18 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Honestly, is there any point to the State of the Union address in this day and age? Doesn't matter if it's a Democrat or Republican, it seems like a useless tradition.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:21 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

When did the rebuttal by the opposing party become a thing? The address itself is required-ish by the Constitution. There's nothing about equal time by the opposition.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:24 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

He will light a Cuban cigar and announce he has implemented a single payer healthcare system by executive order.
posted by humanfont at 5:26 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

Drink a Bottle of Maple Syrup

Obama announces that the union is "borked beyond hope" and dissolves the republic; going on to suggest that any reasonable-minded states immediately petition Canada for provincehood.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 5:26 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

When did the rebuttal by the opposing party become a thing?

Here's a list of rebuttals dating back to 1966, with some transcripts. It doesn't say that they began in 1966, but they go back at least that far.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 5:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

The SoTU used to be a written report to Congress, which is all that's required to technically satisfy the Constitution.

I wish the rebuttal had continued in the call-in question format the Democrats used in 1972, though. Sounds like a gas.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:33 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'm holding out for at least one Hamilton quote from Obama during the speech.

So far we have this tweet.
posted by mikepop at 5:34 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

She's a fucking prop and a bad one at that. She's no better than any other slut

*WHAAT*

shaming power hungry asshole the Republican party trots out

*Oh. Whew!*

Hyphens, people! Hyphens!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:37 PM on January 12, 2016 [57 favorites]

So far we have this tweet.

He looks so young! Presidents age fast.
posted by mochapickle at 5:42 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

I love the picture in this tweet.
posted by octothorpe at 5:43 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

While normally I'd be snarking that my governor is giving the rebuttal, because lord knows I've had my criticisms of her, what I'm really hoping for (even though I know it won't happen) is for her to ramp up live and on camera her threats to sue Obama's DOE for refusing to safely process and/or remove the plutonium waste that is being stored here in SC, while even more is being shipped here. The federal government has a very bad history with its storage of waste here, and Haley has the chance to finally get that history into national headlines, and make her constituents' lives safer.

Of course instead she'll just talk about how the republicans are the real party of diversity and opportunity, but I hate that she'll miss the chance to do something good.
posted by mittens at 5:45 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

"There's some procedural things happening" - CNN, on the ball
posted by theodolite at 5:48 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Butt-chug mouthwash: Obama unveils his final, unimaginable form and begins to consume his own tail, forming a singularity that will consume all of reality.
posted by brundlefly at 5:50 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

Of course instead she'll just talk about how the republicans are the real party of diversity and opportunity

Getting Piyush and Nimrata out there in front of the nation!
posted by Talez at 5:51 PM on January 12, 2016

I wish the rebuttal had continued in the call-in question format the Democrats used in 1972, though. Sounds like a gas.

Yes. And they have to listen to every question in it's entirety no matter how crazy like on CSPAN.
posted by Drinky Die at 5:52 PM on January 12, 2016

SPOILER ALERT
Here's the transcript of the speech as prepared.
posted by Small Dollar at 5:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [7 favorites]

This is the only mention of Iran in prepared remarks. I hope that means a reference to the sailors being held is just being added last minute. It's not a major issue if they return them tomorrow as promised, but it deserves mention.

That’s why we built a global coalition, with sanctions and principled diplomacy, to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. As we speak, Iran has rolled back its nuclear program, shipped out its uranium stockpile, and the world has avoided another war.

Here is a stream for the people without TV: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu

Starting in five minutes.
posted by Drinky Die at 5:54 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Drinky Die, several media outlets have reported the President is not planning to mention the situation with the sailors.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:55 PM on January 12, 2016

Nothing on Oregon, prison reform, or any detail on guns.
posted by mochapickle at 5:56 PM on January 12, 2016

Just one more! Just one more!
posted by vrakatar at 5:57 PM on January 12, 2016

President announces major space initiative
posted by humanfont at 5:57 PM on January 12, 2016

What if one of the 10 "sailors" captured by Iran was in fact Obama bringing Iran a surprise present and the Obama we are about to see is a major-motion-picture-Dave situation? Talk about awkward!
posted by passerby at 5:59 PM on January 12, 2016

Fuck I can't not read it in Obama's voice.

Also re: image in transcript: LOL, a Presidential CURRENT YEAR argument. It's two thousand sixteen years since the symbolic year of birth of Jesus Christ, and that fact actually doesn't argue for or against much.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 5:59 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

He's putting Biden in charge of curing cancer?
posted by mittens at 5:59 PM on January 12, 2016

listening to bowie's warszawa while watching the AP stream (pre-speech obviously), it's really quite eerie how well it fits
posted by JimBennett at 6:00 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Biden should be in charge of curing anything.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:02 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Michelle's dress is spectacular.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:02 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

Is whitehouse.gov streaming the C-SPAN feed? This is the wide shot of people milling around I've come to know and love. Just the cinema veritae of it--really captures the feeling of standing around waiting for... Oh, there it is.
posted by box at 6:04 PM on January 12, 2016

Hey people who know things, how does it work out that this is Obama's 7th and final address yet his term was 8 years? Do they not do a State of the Union right after a president has been inaugurated?
posted by passerby at 6:04 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'm holding out for at least one Hamilton quote from Obama during the speech.

My money is on a "vine and fig tree" reference.
posted by anastasiav at 6:05 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

passerby, that's correct. The next one will be in 2018. The 2017 speech will be a speech.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:05 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Hey people who know things, how does it work out that this is Obama's 7th and final address yet his term was 8 years? Do they not do a State of the Union right after a president has been inaugurated?

No. It's just the first address to a joint session of Congress.
posted by Talez at 6:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

GO! GO! GO!
posted by vrakatar at 6:06 PM on January 12, 2016

passerby: "Hey people who know things, how does it work out that this is Obama's 7th and final address yet his term was 8 years? Do they not do a State of the Union right after a president has been inaugurated?"

He did one, but it was technically an address to a joint session of Congress, not an official SOTU.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:07 PM on January 12, 2016

was aaron sorkin pulling my leg or is there going to be a bangin' party at the white house tonight?
posted by fingers_of_fire at 6:07 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

"A lot of it stems from the ever-intensifying dumpster fire that is the 2016 campaign"

Thank you, I feel less alone at said fire.
posted by Oyéah at 6:07 PM on January 12, 2016

Obama laying down the kisses left and right.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:07 PM on January 12, 2016

Thanks, Obama!

(Re: Haley; I'm just very skeptical of her political future. She doesn't hand a state to anyone in her party, she's largely unknown outside her state, and the big issue she is known for isn't likely to win her too many fans in today's GOP.)
posted by octobersurprise at 6:08 PM on January 12, 2016

RBG hug!
posted by box at 6:08 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Big hug for RBG!
posted by anastasiav at 6:08 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

I miss Boehner already. Ryan isn't orange enough.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:09 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

I'm hoping for some Ross Perot style charts and props.
posted by peeedro at 6:10 PM on January 12, 2016

It took a while to get to my rep Sheila Jackson-Lee on the aisle, I was getting worried she was sick or something.
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:10 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Oh shit, Obama's dropping a new hour-long set!
posted by gc at 6:11 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'm sorry but anyone with a goonier voice than me should NOT be the Speaker of the House. Paul Ryan sounds like he's just hitting puberty.
posted by notsnot at 6:11 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

NAILED IT. shorter
posted by vrakatar at 6:12 PM on January 12, 2016

Genuinely giggled at the Iowa jokes to start off the speech. Good start
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:12 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Looks like Paul Ryan hasn't been getting his beauty rest since he picked up the Speaker's gavel.
posted by tivalasvegas at 6:12 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

How long do you think Ryan practiced that deadpan no-fun look in the mirror today?
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:13 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

ABC has a sidebar dealie just like SportsCenter. Is that new?
posted by klarck at 6:14 PM on January 12, 2016

Michelle's dress is spectacular.

Michelle is spectacular!
posted by triggerfinger at 6:14 PM on January 12, 2016 [35 favorites]

"an ocean away" #hamilquote
posted by mikepop at 6:14 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

Not the C-SPAN feed: these graphics seem aight.
posted by box at 6:14 PM on January 12, 2016

FEAR THE FUTURE

New X-Files episode
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:15 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Michelle's dress is spectacular.

Michelle is spectacular!

And who was that standing to her left?

And are there usually photo slideshows at these? I don't remember any.
posted by jinjo at 6:15 PM on January 12, 2016

Why is the statue of libery on the whitehouse.gov feed?
posted by anastasiav at 6:15 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

I need a SCOTUS headcount please.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:15 PM on January 12, 2016

somebody in the audience on the AP stream just pulled out their fucking phone
posted by JimBennett at 6:16 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Six.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:16 PM on January 12, 2016

BORING.
posted by vrakatar at 6:16 PM on January 12, 2016

I need a SCOTUS headcount please.

If I have it right everybody but Scalia and Thomas. They hate partisan politics you see.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:16 PM on January 12, 2016 [15 favorites]

somebody in the audience on the AP stream just pulled out their fucking phone

Probably to tweet.
posted by axiom at 6:17 PM on January 12, 2016

Did Senator Sanders just take out his stump speech? LOL.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:18 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

If I have it right everybody but Scalia and Thomas. They hate partisan politics you see.

Yes, of course they do.

Is Alito there?
posted by triggerfinger at 6:18 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

4 big questions...
posted by vrakatar at 6:18 PM on January 12, 2016

Man, fuck Paul Ryan for not clapping for the SSM win.
posted by zombieflanders at 6:18 PM on January 12, 2016 [16 favorites]

Paul Ryan looks like he's waiting for the perfect moment to unleash the stinky fart he's holding in.
posted by homunculus at 6:18 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

I think Sanders was taking out his slide rule to check some numbers
posted by mikepop at 6:19 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

Is Alito there?

Oops, no. He isn't there either.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:20 PM on January 12, 2016

All my video streaming options are failing hard...who knew radio could be more dependable than Comcast?
posted by uosuaq at 6:20 PM on January 12, 2016

I wish they had an RBG cam.
posted by tivalasvegas at 6:20 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Someone on Twitter said Paul Ryan's just thinkin' about how tomorrow is leg day.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 6:20 PM on January 12, 2016 [23 favorites]

Sanders removes rotary phone from briefcase, searches floor for phone jack.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:21 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

"Peddling fiction" - aka LYING.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 6:21 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

I actually kinda like this whitehouse.gov Powerpoint presentation sitch
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:21 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

All my video streaming options are failing hard...

Youtube's working perfectly here in Korea, at least.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:21 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Peddling fiction.
posted by box at 6:21 PM on January 12, 2016

Ryan is trying to hold down the mortal panic, this speech might as well be titled "Fuck Your Threaded Needle, Paul. Sincerely, Barack"
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:22 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

Wow Paul Ryan is a smarmy mofo. Seriously. While I agree that Vets still need a LOT MORE support but you can't even crack a positive head nod? I know it's all theater but still. Ugh.
posted by pipoquinha at 6:23 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

UK SOTU live-feed newbie:
It's amazing how different Biden and Ryan's on-camera perma-smiles are: affectionate and "proud" vs snidey and sinister...
and is it really the essential convention that everyone (Dems) has to stand and clap at almost every full-stop? Seems like a drag for the rythmn of the speech, at least...
posted by runincircles at 6:23 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Hi Stav! Have a bourbon.
posted by vrakatar at 6:23 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

and is it really the essential convention that everyone (Dems) has to stand and clap at almost every full-stop? Seems like a drag for the rythmn of the speech, at least...

When things are less polarized, it's interesting to see who does and doesn't clap for what. It's sort of a public declaration of support for [whatever issue] in a way that normal applause wouldn't be.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:25 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

everyone (Dems) has to stand and clap at almost every full-stop?

yes it is just probably the actual worst thing about American politics
posted by tivalasvegas at 6:25 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Where's the drum kit?
posted by clavdivs at 6:25 PM on January 12, 2016

Look at Ryan. Let's make the future better for kids! *snide thin-lipped head cock*

He makes my skin crawl.
posted by pipoquinha at 6:26 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Of course, a great education isn’t all we need in this new economy. We also need benefits and protections that provide a basic measure of security. After all, it’s not much of a stretch to say that some of the only people in America who are going to work the same job, in the same place, with a health and retirement package, for 30 years, are sitting in this chamber.
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:26 PM on January 12, 2016 [34 favorites]

I'm enjoying MSNBC's captions. "Mrs. So and So: Wrote letter to POTUS"
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:26 PM on January 12, 2016

When they clapped and stood for making college affordable, it looked like Biden said something to Ryan as he was standing up, and I'd like to imagine it was something to the effect of, you have 3 small children, dude, trust me, you want to stand up
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:27 PM on January 12, 2016 [43 favorites]

Mute the TV during the clapping and it just looks like an episode of Wheel of Fortune.
posted by downtohisturtles at 6:27 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

everyone (Dems) has to stand and clap at almost every full-stop?

yes it is just probably the actual worst thing about American politics

two year plus long election cycle

lack of attention at midterm elections

term limits for Congress
posted by sweetkid at 6:27 PM on January 12, 2016 [9 favorites]

Did I just see a dude reading a blue website on his tablet?
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:27 PM on January 12, 2016 [14 favorites]

Is the wage insurance thing a basic income dogwhistle?
posted by Small Dollar at 6:28 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

ACA! My friend and former coworker Cedric, who does the same work I do (health insurance outreach and enrollment assistance) is sitting with Michelle tonight. I'm proud.
posted by tivalasvegas at 6:28 PM on January 12, 2016 [24 favorites]

re wage insurance, my union rep roommate just declared "AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN"
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:28 PM on January 12, 2016

ugh the red tape thing ugh
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:30 PM on January 12, 2016

Hi Stav! Have a bourbon.

I would, but I'm in the office and it's just coming up on lunchtime, so I suspect that might not go over too well.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

A rare cheer from the right...
posted by vrakatar at 6:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Food stamps did not cause the financial crisis!
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [18 favorites]

@ira: Let Paul Ryan be a lesson to y’all snitches who crumble the minute the cops mention a plea deal
posted by zombieflanders at 6:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Charles Pierce: Maybe the President Should Just Drop the Mic at the Podium Tonight. And tell the Congressional Republicans about how much better off the country is—despite all their best efforts.
posted by homunculus at 6:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

All these bozos standing and cheering for cutting beurocracy and red tape! If only there was some sort of elected legislative body who could work together to make such dreams a reality!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:31 PM on January 12, 2016 [19 favorites]

Damn Sputnik deniers.
posted by klarck at 6:32 PM on January 12, 2016 [8 favorites]

Ryan not clapping for strengthening Social Security when he grew up on survivors benefits is the picture of the Republican party.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:32 PM on January 12, 2016 [121 favorites]

Big ups for science!
posted by a lungful of dragon at 6:32 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

love that sputnik burn
posted by the bricabrac man at 6:32 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

wooooooow this moon/climate change connection is astounding
posted by JimBennett at 6:33 PM on January 12, 2016 [7 favorites]

WE HAVE TO GO TO SPACE NOW.
posted by vrakatar at 6:33 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

"We didn't deny Sputnik was up there!" Ha!
posted by zombieflanders at 6:33 PM on January 12, 2016 [15 favorites]

Grace Hopper shoutout!
posted by box at 6:33 PM on January 12, 2016 [14 favorites]

Shoutout for Grace Hopper!
posted by Maecenas at 6:33 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

ARE PEOPLE BOOING CANCER RESEARCH?
posted by gc at 6:34 PM on January 12, 2016 [20 favorites]

That look... "sit down dumb-asses and let me talk."
posted by Laura Palmer's Cold Dead Kiss at 6:35 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

JOE BIDEN WILL OBEY!
posted by vrakatar at 6:35 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

Mannn why can't we just DO all this stuff :(
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:35 PM on January 12, 2016

SICK CLIMATE BURN
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:35 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

BAM climate change... "you wil be pretty lonely"
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:35 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Booing the NIH?
posted by peeedro at 6:36 PM on January 12, 2016

For a speech which started out with a disclaimer that it wasn't going to be the typical laundry list of proposals it sure seems like the typical laundry list of proposals.
posted by Justinian at 6:36 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

I'm pretty sure that the GOP's response could better be performed by a cat stepping on a phone keyboard.

barack

barack

barack

barack you gotta get home man things are getting pretty bad here
posted by delfin at 6:38 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

Booing the NIH?
posted by peeedro at 6:36 PM on January 12 [+] [!]

I could have sworn I heard at least one lone BOOOOO! while he was mentioning cancer research and everyone was cheering. Look, I'd love to be wrong here, because I can't believe anyone is that big of a monster.
posted by gc at 6:38 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

The meat and potato issues are good.
posted by vrakatar at 6:38 PM on January 12, 2016

The Sputnik burn is the burn of the decade.
posted by humanfont at 6:39 PM on January 12, 2016 [7 favorites]

Peter Sagal:
"I shall not give you a laundry list. Instead I shall describe various kinds of clothing I would prefer to be washed." -- @POTUS
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:39 PM on January 12, 2016 [22 favorites]

3rd big question is deal or no deal calling it
posted by passerby at 6:39 PM on January 12, 2016

Well guess there's always next year.
posted by passerby at 6:40 PM on January 12, 2016

It's not even close.
posted by box at 6:40 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Is this thing about how MIGHTY and POWERFUL America is freaking you UK guys out?
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:40 PM on January 12, 2016

NOT EVEN CLOSE!
posted by vrakatar at 6:40 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

He's totally fucking with Ryan.
posted by zombieflanders at 6:41 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

That Joint Chiefs face while Obama is calling for military spending cuts with a backhanded compliment
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:41 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Joint Chiefs need a joint.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:41 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

They call us.
posted by box at 6:41 PM on January 12, 2016

Man, the Joint Chiefs of Staff are always such a tough crowd.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:41 PM on January 12, 2016

showbiz_liz, yep it really is, esp. the unanimous ovation. Like the bits of West Wing that totally baffled me as to why it was called left wing...
posted by runincircles at 6:42 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

FAILED STATES!
posted by vrakatar at 6:42 PM on January 12, 2016

Terrorist networks. Like the one in Oregon!
posted by Laura Palmer's Cold Dead Kiss at 6:43 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

He's totally fucking with Ryan.

He's absolutely firing back directly at this.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:43 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

They have just gone all in with that ISIL thing huh, not that it is of any consequence but I have not heard that name outside of the administration.
posted by passerby at 6:44 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Take a vote, bitches.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:45 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Lindsey's facial tics make him look like he's thinking about making a coat of human skin or something.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:46 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

JUST ASK OSAMA BIN LADEN
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

ISIS sounds too much like a Saturday morning cartoon villain org. If you don't want to glorify them, calling them something slightly more anodyne like ISIL makes sense.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016

Mentioning Benghaaaaaazi...Nice!
posted by notsnot at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016

Come at me, dog. My reach has no limits.
posted by box at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

I don't know if it's happening on other channels but the NBC mike keeps going muffled.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016

I'm not going to lie, all this Rah Rah we're so big and strong talk is making me uncomfortable.
posted by gc at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016 [8 favorites]

Just ask Ryan Bundy!
posted by a lungful of dragon at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016

i did not expect this much military stuff in this speech and it's really weirding me out (i am an american)
posted by JimBennett at 6:47 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

*screenshot of a human toad*
posted by pipoquinha at 6:48 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

I think the odds of getting a Hamilton quote slipped in before he wraps up are pretty good.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:48 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

He's getting pretty into this military part of the speech, yeah.
posted by jinjo at 6:48 PM on January 12, 2016

Fret not, barry will bring it home.
posted by vrakatar at 6:48 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Lindsey's facial tics make him look like he's thinking about making a coat of human skin or something.

Initially scanned as "thinking about cost of a human life", then I re-read and retracted my double take.
posted by passerby at 6:49 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

America is a world wide military empire. No point in pretending otherwise. It's why we are rich and comfy people. If you don't like that, well maybe vote for candidates who don't fully buy in to it.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:49 PM on January 12, 2016 [9 favorites]

I remember when it was considered uncouth for a sitting President to enumerate the people he has killed in a speech.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:49 PM on January 12, 2016 [23 favorites]

He did say something about "a fair shot" but that's not an exact quote so it doesn't count sadly. imo.
posted by one teak forest at 6:50 PM on January 12, 2016

Man, Paul Ryan wouldn't even applaud for curing cancer or containing ebola.
posted by mhoye at 6:50 PM on January 12, 2016 [8 favorites]

"Recognize that the Cold War is over"
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:52 PM on January 12, 2016

CUBA LIBRE!
posted by vrakatar at 6:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

This will be The Onion's last chance to bring back Diamond Joe. Don't let me down, Onion.

Biden Urges Paul Ryan To Check Out Nude Scene From ‘Porky’s’ On Phone
posted by Ian A.T. at 6:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [12 favorites]

Yeah apparently the Republicans are now Team Cancer & Ebola. Just cartoonishly evil.
posted by tivalasvegas at 6:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Cranky, hectoring, incredulous-at-the-stupidity Obama is one of my preferred Obamas. It doesn't achieve much, perhaps, but it's always nice to see some authenticity.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [40 favorites]

The #Ham4SOTU tag is your Hamilton outlet
posted by mikepop at 6:53 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

I'd like to hear him refer to the open, shameless efforts of Republicans to sabotage the economy, but hey.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:53 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

A few more Republicans standing up for the anti-Trump lines.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:55 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

I like this a lot better than military cheerleading.
posted by gc at 6:55 PM on January 12, 2016

whoa he just got yoda.
posted by vrakatar at 6:55 PM on January 12, 2016

POPEQUOTE
posted by sammann at 6:56 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Love that he's calling out Islamophobia by saying "it betrays who we are as a country"
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:56 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

Boo TPP.
posted by homunculus at 6:56 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

Biden looks close to tears. Ryan looks like he's holding back a fart. Struggling...
posted by njohnson23 at 6:56 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Biden looks close to tears. Ryan looks like he's holding back a fart. Struggling...
posted by njohnson23 at 6:56 PM on January 12 [+] [!]

The nice thing about the Whitehouse.gov feed is that there hasn't been a lot of shots of Ryan.
posted by gc at 6:57 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

"It will only happen if we work together."

One person claps.

Welcome to American government.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:58 PM on January 12, 2016 [38 favorites]

Boo TPP.

TPP applause was VERY tepid. That's encouraging, it's a disaster.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:58 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

MSNBC just showed Kim Davis, apparently to ruin my #Ham4SOTU fun.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:58 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

KIM DAVIS BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:58 PM on January 12, 2016 [7 favorites]

Someone on Twitter said Paul Ryan's just thinkin' about how tomorrow is leg day.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:20 PM on January 12
Ryan, as you will note from his chicken legs, doesn't really show up for leg day.
posted by atomicstone at 6:59 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

Pelosi just dismissed a "Time to stand" notification on her Apple Watch.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:59 PM on January 12, 2016 [14 favorites]

Listening to parts of it on the radio while cooking. I had been thinking that I'd really love it if he wore a Hawaiian shirt for his final State of the Union, and with radio, I can imagine it that way.
posted by theora55 at 6:59 PM on January 12, 2016 [8 favorites]

Oh Ruth Your Honor: Hang on.
posted by pipoquinha at 7:00 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Theory: Ryan has been holding back a fart for his entire career and channels it into power.
posted by passerby at 7:00 PM on January 12, 2016 [14 favorites]

An end to gerrymandering!
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:00 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

yessssss districting yes
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:01 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

I'd like to hear him refer to the open, shameless efforts of Republicans to sabotage the economy, but hey.

WELCOME TO THE PRESENT; WE'RE RUNNING A REAL NATION! #HAMSOTU
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:01 PM on January 12, 2016 [7 favorites]

We have to end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters, and not the other way around.
posted by DynamiteToast at 7:01 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

Rancor!
posted by vrakatar at 7:02 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Totally missed a David Bowie chance there...
Ch ch changes..
posted by lizarrd at 7:03 PM on January 12, 2016

Politics is hopeless.
posted by box at 7:03 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Dystopia!!!
posted by njohnson23 at 7:04 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Awww, that shot of the little boy sleeping is totally going to be played at his wedding.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:04 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

Keeping one eye on that CNN/Microsoft sentiment tracker thingy. Sky-high positive reactions throughout the call for gerrymandering and campaign finance reform, among Democrats (~95%), Republicans (~75%), and independents (~90%).
posted by Rhaomi at 7:05 PM on January 12, 2016 [21 favorites]

Before anybody asks, cause it usually seems to come up when you talk SOTU, here is what that thingy in front of Ryan on the desk is.
posted by Drinky Die at 7:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

Jesus. On "someone, somewhere stood up for us," Paul Ryan lazily licked his teeth. What a piece of ungrateful shit.
posted by notsnot at 7:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

AAAHHHHHH I'm gonna go slice onions for caramelization for the relief tears.
posted by pipoquinha at 7:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

"Oh by the way weed's legal lol" it's coming right, my friend told me the internet told him so
posted by passerby at 7:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Come on sing some Bowie you magnificent bastard.
posted by humanfont at 7:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [8 favorites]

Real solid ending.

Where's the link to the Haley response?
posted by box at 7:07 PM on January 12, 2016

zzz
posted by vrakatar at 7:08 PM on January 12, 2016

Ryan looks like he's holding back a fart. Struggling...

It is known.
posted by homunculus at 7:09 PM on January 12, 2016

Where's the link to the Haley response?

Try here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pe1taEEUok
posted by Drinky Die at 7:09 PM on January 12, 2016

Drinky Die: "Before anybody asks, cause it usually seems to come up when you talk SOTU, here is what that thingy in front of Ryan on the desk is. "

I thought it was a condiment tray.
posted by octothorpe at 7:09 PM on January 12, 2016

Clear eyes, full heart, can't lose.
posted by Laura Palmer's Cold Dead Kiss at 7:09 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

Did he just almost say "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose?"
posted by axiom at 7:10 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Christ that Ryan is a smarmy little git. Looked like he was rolling his eyes.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:10 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

I'll miss Obama
posted by DynamiteToast at 7:11 PM on January 12, 2016 [11 favorites]

...as he stood up, derp.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:11 PM on January 12, 2016

I'll miss him too. He is a genuinely honest and thoughtful conservative.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:13 PM on January 12, 2016 [40 favorites]

I still don't get why Paul Ryan is the GOP's golden boy. They could have any empty suit in that spot and it'd be exactly the same.
posted by downtohisturtles at 7:13 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Nikki Haley Is Giving The GOP’s State Of The Union Response. This Is Her Record.
posted by homunculus at 7:15 PM on January 12, 2016

and now he has to sign autographs!!???!
posted by runincircles at 7:15 PM on January 12, 2016

None of the other empty suits want to be in that spot, is the thing.
posted by dilaudid at 7:15 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

That’s the America I know. That’s the country we love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. That’s what makes me so hopeful about our future. Because of you. I believe in you. That’s why I stand here confident that the State of our Union is strong.

"Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word." That is some quality speech-writing there. I'm going to slip that into a sermon this year and see if anyone catches it.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:16 PM on January 12, 2016 [51 favorites]

It's the zombie eyed good looks combined with zeal for granny starving under a charlatan media persona of a serious policy thinker.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:17 PM on January 12, 2016 [9 favorites]

I can't help but think this would have been better received if it was given on a weekend night against a big football game instead of weekday primetime. The DNC knows when voters are really paying attention.
posted by Drinky Die at 7:17 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Not big enough to fail.
posted by box at 7:17 PM on January 12, 2016

CNN: very political speech
posted by passerby at 7:17 PM on January 12, 2016

Pater Aletheias, I believe the quote is Dr. King's.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:18 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

The immediate GOP response is to whine like little tykes.
posted by humanfont at 7:19 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Stolen from the comments over at Lawyers, Guns, and Money, re inviting Kim Davis:

"President Obama has reduced the Republican Party to a never-ending series of incompetent dick moves."
posted by tonycpsu at 7:20 PM on January 12, 2016 [44 favorites]

POTUS: "Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."

*counts on fingers* "Unarmed truth" is twelve and "unconditional love" is 17. Dude, I don't have enough knuckles even counting my toes to tattoo on all those letters. DANGIT.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:21 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

"President Obama has reduced the Republican Party to a never-ending series of incompetent dick moves."

When your party is entirely comprised of a never-ending series of dicks, all your moves are dick moves by definition.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:22 PM on January 12, 2016 [14 favorites]

MLK Quote of the Week: 'Unarmed Truth and Unconditional Love'
posted by The Hamms Bear at 7:22 PM on January 12, 2016 [9 favorites]

The Noise that is Coming From their Bass
posted by The White Hat at 7:23 PM on January 12, 2016

Uh, is that water or wine next to Nikki Haley? (oops, shot changed, Haley's started too)
posted by FJT at 7:23 PM on January 12, 2016

As noted elsewhere:
Triple-amputee combat veteran Tammy Duckworth stands and applauds for POTUS.
GOP warmongers who've never served can't be bothered.
Says a lot about people's priorities.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:24 PM on January 12, 2016 [44 favorites]

SEE YOU IN IOWA WONKERS.
posted by vrakatar at 7:24 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Watching Nikki Haley's eyes scan the teleprompter is mesmerizing.
posted by peeedro at 7:28 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Every time I read the word "caucus" in names like "Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus," "Republican Liberty Caucus," or "House Freedom Caucus," I mentally substitute the word "circus."

It's not intentional any more, I just can't help myself, and so Talez's comment becomes:

Instead we get shit like the "Republican's Women Circus" that 22/24 voted for rolling back the VAWA, 15/15 against Ledbetter, and 13/15 against the Paycheck Fairness Act.

And I can't say it's any less intelligible, or honest.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:28 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Nikki! We're over here! Look at the camera!
posted by mittens at 7:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

So Haley's doing the "we're not the party of Trump, *please* believe me" thing?
posted by uosuaq at 7:30 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

Borowitz is on it: Obama Celebrates Last Time He Has to Talk to These Bastards
posted by fuse theorem at 7:31 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

We would also give everyone a pony.
posted by Justinian at 7:32 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

She is in fact going more anti-Trump than anti-Obama. Between Obama calling him out and her doing so...I predict his poll numbers go up.
posted by Drinky Die at 7:32 PM on January 12, 2016 [12 favorites]

Biden Urges Paul Ryan To Check Out Nude Scene From ‘Porky’s’ On Phone

(I'm going to miss Joe)
posted by triggerfinger at 7:32 PM on January 12, 2016 [8 favorites]

Is this thing about how MIGHTY and POWERFUL America is freaking you UK guys out?

Nah, nobody's been that MIGHTY and POWERFUL since Genghis went back home.
We got our asses kicked by a dude in a bedsheet and your lot keep tripping over people who like tunnels and caves.

Politicians crowing about might are just a teenager with a knife, it's kind of sweet.
posted by fullerine at 7:33 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Watching Nikki Haley is unreal, wow. We went from Obama, an undeniably charismatic speaker to the wettest of towels. So far her speech is uninspired but she's reading straight from the teleprompter and it looks like she's reading it for the first time.

Wow. That was barely ten minutes but wow...what a lifeless, terrible address. Obama warned about people talking fiction and wow, Nikki is slinging some serious fiction.
posted by Neronomius at 7:34 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

Politicians crowing about might are just a teenager with a knife, it's kind of sweet.

*sigh* NOBODY BELIEVES BEN CARSON STABBED ANYONE oh wait you were using a broad metaphor my bad...
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:34 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

That was ten minutes of not very much.
posted by octothorpe at 7:35 PM on January 12, 2016

That was an excellent response for someone running to be VP for anybody but Trump. No flubs, but nothing much worth talking about either. I call these a success as long as the politician doesn't destroy themselves, so success.
posted by Drinky Die at 7:35 PM on January 12, 2016

There is seriously nobody in the country chickenhawks hate more than Tammy Duckworth, you should SEE the frothing insanity she brings forth from Illinois Republicans, including an election opponent who complained in the press that her wheelchair gave her an unfair electoral advantage and that she got blown up on purpose for political gain. AS ONE DOES.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:36 PM on January 12, 2016 [70 favorites]

Watching Nikki Haley is unreal, wow. We went from Obama, an undeniably charismatic speaker to the wettest of towels. So far her speech is uninspired but she's reading straight from the teleprompter and it looks like she's reading it for the first time.

Can we please have a good Desi politician just one please. The comics aren't enough until Aziz gets his own talk show in 2025 or so.
posted by sweetkid at 7:36 PM on January 12, 2016 [13 favorites]

That was a veep audition containing some dogwhistley stuff about Trump and states' rights but mostly devoid of anything real. I don't think she blinked once. Not very charismatic.
posted by axiom at 7:37 PM on January 12, 2016

Can we please have a good Desi politician just one please.

Kamala Harris isn't terrible.
posted by thefoxgod at 7:38 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

The response is always awkward like that - when Rubio kept sipping the water, Jindal being Jindal, Haley stare...
posted by sweetkid at 7:39 PM on January 12, 2016

Re Kim Davis, who apparently didn't so much "meet the pope" as she "ambushed the pope in a receiving line", has apparently pulled the same stunt to get tickets to the SOTU...the congressman whose office gave her the tickets, didn't know his staff had done so until HuffPo called him on it.

Man, the Family Research Council really found the perfect puppet in Kim.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 7:39 PM on January 12, 2016 [14 favorites]

Can we please have a good Desi politician just one please.

Kamala Harris isn't terrible.

Yeah, it's more that I'm pissed that Jindal and Haley mention a shared background, though it's theirs to exploit I guess.
posted by sweetkid at 7:40 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Kim Davis seems to be loving the spotlight. I fully expect her to star in a TLC reality show called "TRUE AMERICA!" or something for two seasons before it turns out she's actually four raccoons in a people suit or some similar scandal comes out.
posted by downtohisturtles at 7:43 PM on January 12, 2016 [46 favorites]

Watching Nikki Haley is unreal, wow. We went from Obama, an undeniably charismatic speaker to the wettest of towels. So far her speech is uninspired but she's reading straight from the teleprompter and it looks like she's reading it for the first time.

...honestly you shouldn’t even talk. And what about Boston?
Look at the cost, n’ all that we’ve lost n’ you talk
About Congress?!

My dog speaks more eloquently than thee!

#HAMSOTU
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:44 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

She's a self-hating woman, self-hating second generation immigrant, married white, religioned white and basically whitewashed herself.

Some of your complaints you're gonna have to take up with the activist judges from the Warren Court - as for religioned White, though Haley herself was originally Sikh, Christianity's been in South Asia since before White people were even invented, traditionally via the apostle Thomas.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 7:44 PM on January 12, 2016 [15 favorites]

The problem with the GOP response is that they always choose a young "rising star" to show they're the party of not-just-old-people and not-Beltway-insiders and so they put unseasoned kids without much gravitas up against the most-workshopped speech of the year from the automatically-gravitas president. They might do better picking someone more senior, with more confidence in following such a big speech, to carry it off. Of course this is not the image they are struggling to project, but that attempt keeps failing hardcore so ... new strategy?

I can't remember what the Dem responses to W were like, it feels so long ago now. The response is always awkward, it's always too small after the biggest stage in American politics.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:45 PM on January 12, 2016 [8 favorites]

January 29, 2002 U.S. Representative Richard Gephardt (Missouri)
January 28, 2003 Washington Governor Gary Locke
January 23, 2004 U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (South Dakota) and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (California)
February 2, 2005 U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (Nevada) and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (California)
January 31, 2006 Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine
January 23, 2007 U.S. Senator Jim Webb (Virginia)
January 28, 2008 Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:48 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Obama never ceases to impress and inspire me with his speeches. He unfailing talks in a way that makes my heart swell about an America I wish, even as a not-American, truly existed, or one that might exist in the future.

But then I crash back to reality, and get sad and angry again. Every damned time. I ought to know better by now.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:48 PM on January 12, 2016 [22 favorites]

"South Carolina is better because when Dylann Roof murdered nine black people, we didn't have BLM telling us we were fucked."

Also, "We removed a symbol that divided us," not "We removed a symbol of hate."
posted by J.K. Seazer at 7:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]

Also, "We removed a symbol that divided us," not "We removed a symbol of hate."

Wow. "We" is short for Bree Newsome now? I learn things every day.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:02 PM on January 12, 2016 [17 favorites]

I shudder at the thought of President Trump's post apocalypse State of the Union Address, where he is all covered in soot and his hair is half burnt off, and standing on end. Then, he basically heaves and sobs his way through it...
posted by Oyéah at 8:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [6 favorites]

Josh Marshall's take.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:07 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

though Haley herself was originally Sikh, Christianity's been in South Asia since before White people were even invented, traditionally via the apostle Thomas.

Neither here nor there, and certainly not related to American politics or Haley's religious beliefs, but the community baptized by St Thomas The Apostle is the Nazrani, is a sub-continent away from Haley's North Indian Punjabi heritage. They speak a different language and have customs closer to those of South Indian brahmins (mangalsutra for married women, starting education on Vijayadasami, sikha, birth and death rites etc) and Jews (covering the head while worshipping eg).

In comparison, Haley appears to attend Methodist and, per Wikipedia occasionally Sikh, services. My guess is that she follows a different blend of syncretism; don't know, though, if she has become Methodist for political reasons or because of marrying into a Methodist family. In either case, her professed beliefs seem a *bit* more real than Bobby-ji's exorcism tales.
posted by the cydonian at 8:24 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

CNN scientific poll of people who watched the speech.

Reaction to Obama's speech:

Very Positive 53%
Somewhat Positive 20%
Negative 25%

Highest of any of his SOTU speeches.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:26 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

I really don't like it when people want to verify the bona fides of people's ethnic background and beliefs. Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal are allowed to believe and identify the way they want.
posted by sweetkid at 8:27 PM on January 12, 2016 [38 favorites]

Also Ann Coulter tweeted that she thinks Trump should deport her, because Ann Coulter is disgusting.
posted by sweetkid at 8:27 PM on January 12, 2016

I agree that we should deport Ann Coulter
posted by DoctorFedora at 8:31 PM on January 12, 2016 [43 favorites]

Nah, she's your problem, you keep her.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:35 PM on January 12, 2016 [7 favorites]

SOTU Rebuttals are the Kobayashi-Maru for debaters. It's not about winning, it's about how you fail.
posted by GameDesignerBen at 8:37 PM on January 12, 2016 [15 favorites]

President Obama got the history of Sputnik wrong: "Unfortunately, Obama gets the history of Sputnik slightly wrong: There were Amerians who denied that Russia put up the first artificial satellite in 1957. Sputnik skeptics tended to be right-wing Americans who thought that there was no way a socialist peasant society like Russia could possibly beat the United States in a technological battle."
posted by peeedro at 8:39 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

Watching this I kept wondering why Boehner was up behind the president, by Biden. Then I hear that was Paul Ryan, and I thought, did I just watch the last SOTU speech? So despite the age gap, Ryan and Boehner kind of have the same visual profile, comforting for conservatives who don't like change. I enjoyed the speech, since I live in rabid, hate Obama land, it is comforting to see him speak. We are lucky to have him instead of some of the more horrifying players. His mighty comment was probably in response to McConnel's recent comment about a weak military response in the ME, or tepid or however he put it.
posted by Oyéah at 8:47 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

I liked the part where the stony Joint Chiefs of Staff (or whomever those military folks were) had to do a visual check in with each other before standing to applaud Obama's tribute to our brave men and women of the military (or however he phrased it). They were obviously not big Obama supporters but realised, one beat too late, that they should be standing and applauding their own people. Sheesh.
posted by Bella Donna at 8:52 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

They have an obligation not to be overtly political, the carefulness is not about Obama hate.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:54 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

->peeedro I remember my high school history teaching talking about how there were Americans who denied Sputnik and the Moon Landings and that we ever made it into space and that he had once been among them (He abandoned those but stuck with JFK conspiracy theories). I think what made that part of the speech work on that level is someone saying "I knew a guy who thought that sputnik stuff was made up....that guy was utterly bonkers." And then making that connection to climate change.
posted by Neronomius at 8:56 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

let's all pitch in to make this one fly...

______________ are the Kobayashi-Maru for ____________. It's not about winning, it's about how you fail.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:04 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

The Browns. the NFL.
posted by Drinky Die at 9:06 PM on January 12, 2016 [5 favorites]

Among those invited by Members of Congress: Kim Davis.

"When you hate gays but the AIDS Memorial Quilt looks too good on you #SOTU"
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:11 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

I liked the part where the stony Joint Chiefs of Staff (or whomever those military folks were) had to do a visual check in with each other before standing to applaud Obama's tribute to our brave men and women of the military (or however he phrased it). They were obviously not big Obama supporters but realised, one beat too late, that they should be standing and applauding their own people. Sheesh.

The Joint Chiefs, and SCOTUS, are traditionally very cautious at these events not to appear to display political partiality. Back in the day, there was a similar tradition even for the VP and the house speaker, who were considered to be attending the speech in a non-partisan ceremonial role.
posted by kickingtheground at 9:13 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

"When you hate gays but the AIDS Memorial Quilt looks too good on you #SOTU"

I was really getting pissed off at all the people on my Twitter feed making fun of Kim Davis's looks, her eyebrows, her Joe Dirt mullet, her sweater (like, aren't we better than that?), but the Quilt one was good enough to be forgivable.
posted by Flashman at 9:25 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Sad about Africa's mention dragging it back into previous century. So much more than disease and helpless wide eyed dark skinned people. Really Obama? This after you visited entrepreneurs and inventors in Kenya?
posted by infini at 9:36 PM on January 12, 2016

I figured that was specifically about the ridiculous ebola panic.
posted by palomar at 10:05 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

It was ridiculous in the US, not West Africa.
posted by sweetkid at 10:20 PM on January 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

And how was our response to the situation in West Africa? Did we send a lot of aid? I honestly can't remember if we did, but I remember politicians LOSING THEIR SHIT and demanding that we close our borders, so...
posted by palomar at 10:47 PM on January 12, 2016

I'm watching the rerun on CSPAN, and as much as I think Kim Davis is a garbage human being, sitting there in her quilt, pouting on a free ticket from God, I hope she got to at least learn something about the hopes, dreams and aspirations of and for a larger, better, brighter, more humane world outside her tiny, narrow, banal hellhole of an existence.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:55 PM on January 12, 2016 [10 favorites]

And how was our response to the situation in West Africa?

IMO, It was basicly the pretty standard, "Obama does his best to respond to a crisis as smartly and pragmatically as he can while Republicans and the media try to spark massive national panic attacks over the issue," situation. There was some stuff to criticize, but to me it's hard to imagine how he could have done significantly better given the circumstances.

I don't know too much about the topic though, so I want to be clear that I am hedging that opinion and welcome to correction.
posted by Drinky Die at 10:56 PM on January 12, 2016

Just reading the transcript. So
- he acknowledges free trade has undermined collective bargaining
- supports TPP
- talks about changes to regulations and "red tape" and not "allowing attacks on collective bargaining to go unanswered".

In this new economy, workers and start-ups and small businesses need more of a voice, not less. The rules should work for them. And this year I plan to lift up the many businesses who've figured out that doing right by their workers ends up being good for their shareholders, their customers, and their communities, so that we can spread those best practices across America.

What does that add up to, tax cuts for small businesses hiring locally?
posted by cotton dress sock at 11:45 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Did I miss the drop? Seriously, did I?
posted by Samizdata at 2:47 AM on January 13, 2016

I had an uncle who worked for the Joint Chiefs who attended the SOTU one year with them, and we teased him because he haaaaaaaated Clinton but there he was standing and clapping. After returning our snark in kind, he told us a little about how the Joint Chiefs decide what to applaud for and how they try to look neither enthusiastic nor dour but just serious and listening. But yeah, they work hard to appear non-partisan and before the TV applause became a sport didn't really react to much of anything. Now they have to applaud for "the troops" or people freak out, although they would rather applaud for nothing because you don't offer cheers or jeers in public on your commander's policy.

Anyway they probably got an advance copy or draft, or at least a general outline, so they could pre-plan their applause and prepare for TV reaction shot moments.

The staff with them stand or clap when the Chiefs stand or clap and do not have personal opinions on the general stupidity of the exercise. ;)

(But typically the JCS are not just senior military people with management skills, but also individuals with personalities and attitudes that mesh well with the president, whom they typically respect. They're not conservatives just because they're military. They may or may not vote for Obama but they probably consider him competent or they wouldn't be able to serve in a role where they work so closely with him on often-contentious issues.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:55 AM on January 13, 2016 [22 favorites]

And how was our response to the situation in West Africa?

Substantial and ongoing. The EU (both as an organization and some individual member states) and the US split who was coordinating efforts in the affected countries, so while we had people in Sierra Leone and Guinea, the bulk of our effort was in Liberia. Which was the first of the three to be declared ebola free (but is now the last not to be, as it turns out the virus can resurface in patients previously thought cured. They are two days away from being declared ebola free for a third time.)
posted by solotoro at 5:43 AM on January 13, 2016 [5 favorites]

Obama announces that the union is "borked beyond hope" and dissolves the republic; going on to suggest that any reasonable-minded states immediately petition Canada for provincehood.

Calling up an exe you harshly dumped way back when because you wanted your "freedom" and needed to fulfill your "manifest destiny". Good luck with that drunk-dialing sad America. Canada has moved on.
posted by srboisvert at 6:21 AM on January 13, 2016 [17 favorites]

Good luck with that drunk-dialing sad America.

I typically hate the superior Canadian schtick, but this line is freaking hilarious!!
posted by OmieWise at 6:58 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

What? What political event is the drunk dialing mimicking?
posted by sweetkid at 7:10 AM on January 13, 2016

It's amazing today to see conservative comment sections full of people angry at Obama's idea of not being racist.
posted by agregoli at 7:12 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

Hours after Rep candidates wanted to start WW3 over captured sailors, they are free. Diplomacy: it doesnt always work, but sometimes it does
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:18 AM on January 13, 2016 [6 favorites]

Paul Ryan looks like he's waiting for the perfect moment to unleash the stinky fart he's holding in.

That's Paul Ryan's face going "Oh. So that's what it's like to actually be liked because you're not a douchebro."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:11 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

Today is the first time I have seen the words "Nikki Haley" and if it weren't for the context of this thread, I would assume she was the latest manufactured pop star. In a way, I guess, I am right.
posted by entropicamericana at 8:26 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

Thank you, Mr. President.
posted by Chitownfats at 9:10 AM on January 13, 2016

Today is the first time I have seen the words "Nikki Haley" and if it weren't for the context of this thread, I would assume she was the latest manufactured pop star. In a way, I guess, I am right.

I assume you slept through Dylann Roof's rampage and the subsequent removal of the confederate battle flag from the South Carolina State House? She was all over the news and was being shat on by nativist nut jobs.
posted by Talez at 9:13 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

I assume you slept through Dylann Roof's rampage and the subsequent removal of the confederate battle flag from the South Carolina State House? She was all over the news and was being shat on by nativist nut jobs.

I am aware of the Roof rampage and the removal of the traitors' flag, but that's about it. My tolerance for listening to Republicans bloviate is at an all-time low and I had to stop listening to NPR because even the soundbites they air make my blood pressure go through the roof. Also, I am 3000 miles from South Carolina and we have enough redneck morons to worry about out here.
posted by entropicamericana at 9:29 AM on January 13, 2016 [3 favorites]

NPR is currently run by the guy who invented "E! Entertainment Television."
posted by rhizome at 9:42 AM on January 13, 2016 [2 favorites]

President Obama Won Two Elections, But He Knows Our Democracy Is Broken: Trump is small potatoes. Obama had his sights set on bigger things last night.
posted by homunculus at 10:09 AM on January 13, 2016

"The SoTU used to be a written report to Congress, which is all that's required to technically satisfy the Constitution."

I think Article II, Sec 3 , clause 2 allows for You Tube submissions, but forbids neeners.
posted by mule98J at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

NPR is currently run by the guy who invented "E! Entertainment Television."

You're not kidding.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:32 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

this was my favorite paul ryan-related tweet of last night
posted by burgerrr at 11:00 AM on January 13, 2016 [5 favorites]

On His Final State Of The Union, How Has Obama Done On The Issues?

Winners, Losers and the SOTU

The Rude Pundit: The State of the Union Is "Could We Stop Being Dicks?"
posted by the man of twists and turns at 11:35 AM on January 13, 2016 [3 favorites]

Thorzdad: Steve King will leave a seat empty in honor of aborted babies.

Sad fact: he's just the first Republican to use that line when asked why his +1 seat is empty, and no one wants to be That Guy who copied Steve King.

Another Republican: "Me? This seat is empty in honor of aborted babies."
Reporter: "Like Steve King?"
Repub: "Oh, I mean it's in honor of our nation's heroes who didn't make it back from the Middle East. Yeah, that's it. Scratch the first one."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:59 AM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

Transcript from UCSB's The American Presidency Project site; fact checking by Washington Post and FactCheck.org.

Video of the SOTU address on YouTube from The New York Times (58:48), and PBS' extended coverage (2:43:48), with bonus pre- and post-events.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:38 PM on January 13, 2016 [2 favorites]

The only SOTU commentary I trust is that which emanates from Chuck Todd's bangs.
posted by rhizome at 12:46 PM on January 13, 2016

@jeremyslevin: Nikki Haley just now: "We've never, in the history of this country, passed any laws or done anything based on race or religion." Um....
posted by zombieflanders at 1:53 PM on January 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

Gawker, being Gawker, has the headline "America Wants to Know: What's Wrong With Nikki Haley's Teeth?" which seems like an odd thing to get fascinated by.

Despite being half a world away, I listened to the speech quite by accident, and was impressed. Not that I get a vote.
posted by Mezentian at 2:40 PM on January 13, 2016

SCOTUS should probably go ahead and do away with the quaint fiction. Roberts, Scalia, Alito, Thomas and Kennedy might as well stand up and yell "You Lie!" at this point. The "non-partisan" fiction is well and truly dead at the Supreme Court, which is just another political branch.

This is something that keeps shocking us every generation. It's *always* been that way. In 1857, the Supreme Court retroactively stripped black people of basic citizenship, even in free states, overturning precedents set in the fucking *1600*s. All because Roger Taney and *six* other Justices basically just hated black folks. Period. Honestly, the more I read about historical court decision, the more I come to believe that following some abstract legal principles and stare decisis is the exception and ex post facto justifications are the rule.

Frankly, giving Supreme Court Justices lifetime appointments was a terrible idea. It was always a terrible idea, even if we did luck out early on with John Marshall.
posted by absalom at 4:53 PM on January 13, 2016 [5 favorites]

It is a terrible idea. It's fucking with Presidential elections big time because many people feel like voting for a lifetime Supreme Court appointment they support to be made is more important than anything else, and they aren't necessarily wrong.
posted by Drinky Die at 5:32 PM on January 13, 2016 [2 favorites]

It's also in all likelihood making the judicial picks worse, because suddenly youth is a major factor that distorts the selection process. If you've got someone who's 2/3 as qualified but is likely to be on the bench twice as long, the pressure to pick them and get the most lifetime value out of them is enormous.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:27 PM on January 13, 2016 [3 favorites]

So I just watched this years SOTU address, it was the yellow dress comments that tipped me off. Like writing a check for 2015, I watched the SOTU for 2015. I am not dead yet. Ryan did show signs of life, not so Rubio, and camera evasive McCain was a study. As America reluctantly awakens to what a good president Obama has been, in many ways we have never been in more danger, Since the old controlling factors oil, money, coal and corporate domineering to near servitude, really hate it when we talk smack about them and fail to show respect. I wonder what their next, awful moves will be? In fact I wonder what their part in the current ME mess, really is? Good speech, though. Great, thoughtful, man.
posted by Oyéah at 7:36 PM on January 13, 2016

Can I say that once again I am disgusted by the uncollegial rudeness of dead babies? Not once — not once! — did I see the dead babies sitting next to Steve King stand. Come on, babies, even if you don't like the man at least show some respect for the office!
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:59 AM on January 14, 2016

Would this make a better debate thread than the Trump one? More comments, not a viral video? I'm thinking mmmmmmmaybe.
posted by box at 5:33 PM on January 14, 2016

I would just post a new one but lazy.
posted by Drinky Die at 5:46 PM on January 14, 2016

Maybe you just need a drink to motivate you.
posted by homunculus at 5:49 PM on January 14, 2016

Aww, it starts in like ten minutes and I'm watching Seinfeld on my tablet and commenting on MeFi on my phone--if a post is forthcoming, it's not coming forth from me.
posted by box at 5:52 PM on January 14, 2016

Anthem. I'm streaming on Fox Business' site. Did Fox just say unemployment is on the decline?
posted by box at 6:02 PM on January 14, 2016

It's starting now.
posted by homunculus at 6:04 PM on January 14, 2016

Jobs is.
posted by box at 6:04 PM on January 14, 2016

Jobs?
posted by homunculus at 6:07 PM on January 14, 2016

World On Fire?
posted by homunculus at 6:10 PM on January 14, 2016

If Clinton is elected, Iranian sailors will come to our homes and make us apologize.
posted by homunculus at 6:11 PM on January 14, 2016

Wow, somebody took the time to line up Cavuto's pinstripes. Look at those lapels.
posted by box at 6:12 PM on January 14, 2016

Sorry dude I'm watching Smackdown, a classy show where charismatic men settle their issues.
posted by vrakatar at 6:13 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Keep watching--there's a good chance Trump might show up.
posted by box at 6:14 PM on January 14, 2016

exo
atmosphere
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:20 PM on January 14, 2016

Bill Maher ‏@billmaher 7m7 minutes ago
Christie: "If i'm president, Hillary won't get within ten miles of the white house"- great, more bridge closures
posted by Drinky Die at 6:21 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Cruz doesn't know the difference between opinion and reporting.
posted by box at 6:21 PM on January 14, 2016

Dang, props for the birther response though.
posted by box at 6:30 PM on January 14, 2016

Alright, goddamnit, I've managed to avoid watching any of these Republican idiocracy clowncar clusterfucks so far, but I'm throwing blood-pressure caution to the winds.

Thus far, it's even worse than I could have imagined.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:33 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

This is worse than the others, you picked a doozy.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:33 PM on January 14, 2016

I wasn't paying full attention but it sounded like Cruz admitted to being a demonic spirit?
posted by prize bull octorok at 6:38 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Literal fingerpointing by Rubio. Charming.
posted by mochapickle at 6:39 PM on January 14, 2016

First generation to leave our children worse off? Hello boomers. Christie PP donation? Suddenly I like him a tiny bit better.
posted by box at 6:39 PM on January 14, 2016

And now, suddenly I like him a little bit less.
posted by box at 6:40 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

But then he immediately turns around and denies that he ever did so.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:41 PM on January 14, 2016

"MY NAME WAS MENTIONED! LET ME TALK!"

"Yes, Senator America, just one moment."
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:41 PM on January 14, 2016

Cruz admitted to being a demonic spirit?

He twisted out of actually admiting it. Demons are good at that.
posted by homunculus at 6:42 PM on January 14, 2016 [2 favorites]

Every person here?
posted by box at 6:42 PM on January 14, 2016

'Johnny, we don't hate the rich--we just wanna be the rich.'
posted by box at 6:45 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Well, obviously not the demon.
posted by mochapickle at 6:45 PM on January 14, 2016

Oh dear sweet lord I don't think I can do this. Knowing your enemy is good if you're going to be effective in resisting them, but I already don't think I can take it.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:47 PM on January 14, 2016

Carson didn't seem very interested in the Great Penis Chase of the 1990s.
posted by homunculus at 6:49 PM on January 14, 2016

Oh dear sweet lord I don't think I can do this.

Are you following these important rules?
posted by homunculus at 6:52 PM on January 14, 2016

'This guy's a petulant child.'
posted by box at 6:59 PM on January 14, 2016

Chris Christie is accusing Barack Obama of being a petulant child. The mind boggles.
posted by homunculus at 7:00 PM on January 14, 2016 [3 favorites]

Guns!
posted by box at 7:01 PM on January 14, 2016

Uh...the San Bernardino guns were purchased legally by Marquez and given to Farook.
posted by FJT at 7:03 PM on January 14, 2016 [2 favorites]

San Bernardino was not ISIS.
posted by sweetkid at 7:04 PM on January 14, 2016

Rubio claimed it as ISIS (and also said it was two weeks ago?)
posted by mochapickle at 7:05 PM on January 14, 2016

Now that's how you invoke 9/11!
posted by peeedro at 7:06 PM on January 14, 2016 [2 favorites]

Oh wow I just agreed with Trump, that New York thing was pretty great.
posted by sweetkid at 7:06 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

That was an utterly delightful and well-deserved smackdown.
posted by prize bull octorok at 7:08 PM on January 14, 2016

San Bernardino was not ISIS.

It was lone wolf terrorists who claimed inspiration from ISIS.
posted by Drinky Die at 7:09 PM on January 14, 2016

Name dropping Strom Thurmond? Yikes.
posted by homunculus at 7:09 PM on January 14, 2016 [2 favorites]

homunculus: "Are you following these important rules?"

My back pills preclude me from any alcohol for a few months which means that there's no way that I'm going to watch another Republican debate.
posted by octothorpe at 7:11 PM on January 14, 2016

But wait, that's Lindsey Graham's music! Lindsey Graham, in the audience!
posted by box at 7:15 PM on January 14, 2016

Question for Dr Carson, is the Caliphate ray-shielded? Do we have to use proton torpedoes?
posted by prize bull octorok at 7:18 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

San Bernardino was not ISIS.

It was lone wolf terrorists who claimed inspiration from ISIS.

Exactly, it was free marketing for ISIS. This is important, because people are using it to justify ground war in Syria, banning Muslims, and fewer restrictions on guns because ISIS has apparently "infiltrated." That's just not true.
posted by sweetkid at 7:21 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

'But all Muslims? Seriously?'
posted by box at 7:22 PM on January 14, 2016

TELL IT JEB
posted by sweetkid at 7:23 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

'Focused like a laser.'
posted by box at 7:28 PM on January 14, 2016

Is Cruz oranger than usual?
posted by mochapickle at 7:29 PM on January 14, 2016

Jeb: I WASN'T CLEAR ENOUGH HERE'S MORE ABOUT NOT BANNING MUSLIMS, CHILDREN.
posted by sweetkid at 7:32 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Trump: "We have great economic power over China."

How can we have economic power over China if we're 'losing' against them?
posted by FJT at 7:35 PM on January 14, 2016

'So many people in my family worked in steel mills.'
posted by box at 7:36 PM on January 14, 2016

Infrastructure! This president!
posted by box at 7:45 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

A third-grade education. Every regulation is a tax!
posted by box at 7:50 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

They can't make a deal.
posted by box at 7:50 PM on January 14, 2016

How will you fix infrastructure?

THE GOVERNMENT IS EVIL!
posted by Drinky Die at 7:51 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Yeah Fox Business ran a substantive debate, asking the candidates if Hillary is an adulterer enabler.
posted by sweetkid at 7:52 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

'Now you've got Europe.'
posted by box at 7:55 PM on January 14, 2016

Ya blew it, Marco.
posted by peeedro at 7:55 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

It going to be Cruz - Clinton.
posted by sweetkid at 7:58 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

I thought military hawks liked Europe.
posted by homunculus at 7:59 PM on January 14, 2016

This debate was supposed to be over at 11 EST according to the Comcast guide...
posted by Drinky Die at 8:01 PM on January 14, 2016

they're applauding Trump's net worth.
posted by sweetkid at 8:01 PM on January 14, 2016

What was that?
posted by peeedro at 8:04 PM on January 14, 2016

What were the protesters chanting?
posted by homunculus at 8:04 PM on January 14, 2016

Wait what were they chanting?
posted by mochapickle at 8:04 PM on January 14, 2016

We Want Rand
posted by Drinky Die at 8:05 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

I think one of the candidates heard it as "We Want Red"
posted by sweetkid at 8:06 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Hah, I was wondering what Kasich was talking about with the red tie thing. Not a very effective protest.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:07 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

We Want Rand

Maybe a response to the Christie weed stance?
posted by peeedro at 8:07 PM on January 14, 2016

Rand and his supporters are very salty about not making the cut for the main debate, he refused to attend the kiddie table.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:08 PM on January 14, 2016

Oh good heavens, Benghazi.
posted by mochapickle at 8:25 PM on January 14, 2016

A Benghazi movie will be like porn to these guys.
posted by homunculus at 8:26 PM on January 14, 2016

I watched this on the Fox Business network, and was surprised they sold airtime to the Money Monster Clooney movie (which looks interesting)
posted by sweetkid at 8:28 PM on January 14, 2016

Ted Cruz going on about "New York values." This is a guy who went to Princeton and Harvard and whose wife is a senior VP at Goldman Sachs.

What would Holden Caulfield say? I think there's a word for it.
posted by JackFlash at 8:33 PM on January 14, 2016 [6 favorites]

In the words of Holden Caulfield: "Ted Cruz is a ridiculous fuckbag."
posted by Drinky Die at 8:40 PM on January 14, 2016 [3 favorites]

the Fox business moderator interviewed Carson. That seems wrong.
posted by sweetkid at 8:44 PM on January 14, 2016

and Trump.
posted by sweetkid at 8:49 PM on January 14, 2016

and JEB(!)
posted by mochapickle at 8:53 PM on January 14, 2016

and Cruz. I don't remember the moderators interviewing candidates after the Democratic debates but I could be wrong.
posted by sweetkid at 9:06 PM on January 14, 2016

This is pretty standard actually, iirc.
posted by Drinky Die at 9:08 PM on January 14, 2016

Ted Cruz Hates “New York Values” But Sure Loves New York Money
posted by homunculus at 9:09 PM on January 14, 2016

They talk about Reagan, who left office almost 30 years ago, like every other word.
posted by sweetkid at 9:24 PM on January 14, 2016

And Rubio turns it over to this goofy Rep. Gowdy guy because he didn't want to be last I guess.
posted by Drinky Die at 9:34 PM on January 14, 2016

In the words of Holden Caulfield: "Ted Cruz is a ridiculous fuckbag."
posted by Drinky Die

HC lacks self reflection.
posted by futz at 9:40 PM on January 14, 2016

Marco Rubio Pushes Conspiracy Theory On Obama And Guns

Jeb Bush Makes The Perfect Case For Obama’s Executive Action On Guns
posted by homunculus at 10:16 PM on January 14, 2016

lol
posted by Drinky Die at 11:09 PM on January 14, 2016 [2 favorites]

Wow. Noo Yawkers are thin-skinned.

(Wait... Murdoch owns that paper, right?)

Also, what is the deal with Cruz being born in Canada? Why is he still eligible?
posted by Mezentian at 11:29 PM on January 14, 2016

Here's a politifact rundown.
posted by Drinky Die at 11:30 PM on January 14, 2016

Thanks.
So, if I read this right, if Cruz beats Trump, "The Don" will have the mother of all dummy-spits in the Supreme Court, pressing for rulings on things that are understood to be law but untested, but Cruz's otherwise on solid ground.

So, basically, I guess I want Cruz to win the nomination for the lulz.
posted by Mezentian at 11:35 PM on January 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

Thank goodness I noped the hell out of that televisual shit-typhoon and opted for commentariat memetic inoculation. A notional bullet dodged, unlike the recent actual death bullets that so many of your unlucky fellow citizens, my American friends, have not had the luxury to avoid.

You folks are so fucked.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:39 AM on January 15, 2016 [2 favorites]

Joanna Rothkopf: Ted, Just Say 'Jewish' (emphasis in original)

“I think most people know exactly what New York values are,” Cruz winked at the camera, like the in-house comic at Führer headquarters.

Let’s read between the FCC-condoned slurs.
“There are many, many wonderful working [white, Christian] men and women in the state of New York. But everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal, pro-abortion, pro-Gay marriage [because black, Jewish, gay people live there], and focus on money [Jew Jew Jew] and the media [Jew Jew Jew]. Indeed, the reason I said that, as I was asked, my friend Donald has taken to in his advance playing Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA.’ And I was asked what I thought of that. ‘Well, if he wanted to play a song, he could play ‘New York, New York.’ [Unexpected throwback Italian burn.]”

posted by zombieflanders at 8:03 AM on January 15, 2016 [6 favorites]

Ted Cruz going on about "New York values."

Ted Cruz Didn’t Report Goldman Sachs Loan in a Senate Race

A review of personal financial disclosures that Mr. Cruz filed later with the Senate does not find a liquidation of assets that would have accounted for all the money he spent on his campaign. What it does show, however, is that in the first half of 2012, Ted and Heidi Cruz obtained the low-interest loan from Goldman Sachs, as well as another one from Citibank. The loans totaled as much as $750,000 and eventually increased to a maximum of $1 million before being paid down later that year. There is no explanation of their purpose.

Neither loan appears in reports the Ted Cruz for Senate Committee filed with the Federal Election Commission, in which candidates are required to disclose the source of money they borrow to finance their campaigns.

posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:19 AM on January 15, 2016

Debate analysis from my daughter, age 12: every time Marco Rubio started talking she would get the giggle fits and say "why is he up there? he looks like he's TEN!" Clearly Rubio has a gravitas problem he's going to need to shore up.

Also, a few days ago I figured out exactly which malevolent spirit Ted Cruz reminds me of, so if we could all start referring to him as "Auntie Whispers" that'd be great. Thanks.
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:06 AM on January 15, 2016 [7 favorites]

Come on, who among us has not forgotten a million dollar loan?
posted by Chrysostom at 9:21 AM on January 15, 2016 [3 favorites]

“I think most people know exactly what New York values are,” Cruz winked at the camera, like the in-house comic at Führer headquarters.

I'm kind of surprised Cruz went there. It seemed like they all upped their quip game last night to compete against Trump, who seems to trade on his supposed hilarity. I like to imagine extremely reluctant but extremely broke improv teachers were brought in to train the other candidates in comic timing.
posted by sweetkid at 10:00 AM on January 15, 2016

New York Daily News still not done with Cruz.
posted by Drinky Die at 1:33 AM on January 16, 2016

What most of us really wanted the SOTU to be.
posted by zombieflanders at 5:06 AM on January 16, 2016 [3 favorites]

I'm proud that our Rep. is holding his seat open in honor of Amir Hekmati.

free Amir!
posted by clavdivs at 7:25 PM on January 12.

Amir and others have been freed!
posted by clavdivs at 10:49 AM on January 16, 2016

New York Values is the moment where Ted Cruz lost. It's his macaca moment.
posted by humanfont at 11:23 AM on January 16, 2016

Do you think? I'm pretty pissed about New York Values, but I'm not convinced that Republican primary voters care at all. I actually think they may see the brouhaha over it as more evidence that New Yorkers are insular elitists who can dish it out but not take it.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 11:29 AM on January 16, 2016

Which is hilarious, because Ted Cruz is the embodiment of insular elitism and the ability to dish it out but not take it.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 11:31 AM on January 16, 2016

I think any question like 'so, New York values, what are those?' (like YouGov just asked me) might turn out to be illuminating.
posted by box at 5:24 PM on January 16, 2016

I saw it as the tourist gazing up and saying "look at the height" then getting wharbly, ducking into a storefront just so the earth comes back down.
posted by clavdivs at 5:29 PM on January 16, 2016

I guess it's possible Trump's appeal among Rockefeller Republicans has been underrated. I would need to look at polls on that, but if so trashing New York might in fact be a problem. The Trump coalition is more racists and traditional Republicans than tea party and evangelical Republicans. I think that could be why he is giving them fits, he is appealing to a slightly different base.

(I mean they are all racist, but more centrist racist is the target. Angry and ignorant rather than angry and ideological.)
posted by Drinky Die at 5:54 PM on January 16, 2016

I don't think that Trump has any appeal among Rockefeller Republicans. He has a big base of support in the NYC area, basically among disaffected white blue-collar suburbanites. Long Island is actually one of the most pro-Trump places in the country. But it doesn't matter. New York has a pretty late primary, and it's very unlikely to be a factor in selecting the Republican candidate. And if New York goes Republican in the general election, it's probably going to be a case of an overwhelming Republican landslide, rather than a situation where New York was decisive.

I don't think that blasting "New York values" is going to be controversial among Republicans in Iowa. I'm not sure it would be controversial among Democrats in Iowa. And I say that as an East Coaster & former NYC resident transplanted to Iowa who would be happy to defend my "New York values."
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 7:38 AM on January 17, 2016

What You Need to Know About the Fourth Democratic Debate

How to Watch Tonight's Democratic Debate Online
posted by homunculus at 10:20 AM on January 17, 2016

Christ, there's another one?
posted by mittens at 1:49 PM on January 17, 2016 [1 favorite]

Christ, there's another one?

Occurring as it is during Downton Abbey and an NFL playoff game, not so's you'd notice.
posted by rhizome at 3:18 PM on January 17, 2016

Yeah the DNC likes to hide the Dem Debates on Saturday nights and Sundays before major holidays, in the hope that primary voters won't notice this Bernie guy.
posted by sweetkid at 4:04 PM on January 17, 2016

The Rockefeller Republicans and party establishment think Trump's persona is an act. They've known him for too long to think otherwise. They will fall in line when the time comes.
posted by humanfont at 4:48 PM on January 17, 2016

I wasn't aware of this until they just mentioned it in the debate: Bernie Sanders Backs Bill That Would Undo A Gun Law He Voted For. Hillary Clinton is "delighted" he "flip-flopped" on a law shielding gun manufacturers and dealers from lawsuits.
posted by homunculus at 6:19 PM on January 17, 2016

To be fair, the NFL game was done well before the debate.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:25 PM on January 17, 2016

Clinton's attacks on Bernie's healthcare views are the biggest loads of horseshit I can ever recall seeing at a Democratic debate.
posted by Drinky Die at 6:38 PM on January 17, 2016

Clinton's attacks on Bernie's healthcare views are the biggest loads of horseshit I can ever recall seeing at a Democratic debate.

Until she followed it with how she and only she can reach across the aisle to Republicans.
posted by Etrigan at 6:56 PM on January 17, 2016 [1 favorite]

Is 'like many bullies' a Trump subliminal?
posted by box at 7:31 PM on January 17, 2016

You know, watching this Democratic debate now, it strikes me that there must be at least some Republicans who are smart (if perhaps misguided) and relatively moderate, and how deeply, horrifyingly embarrassed they've got to be by their own crop of candidates, in contrast. It must be a strange and depressing feeling.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:53 PM on January 17, 2016

We refer to it as whigging out.
posted by clavdivs at 8:14 PM on January 17, 2016 [1 favorite]

Which Republican candidate is going to screw in the lightbulb?
The one with the machine gun.
Which Democrat is going to screw in the lightbulb?
The one with the screwdriver.

Ah man. I promised I wasn't going to do that any more. This is the wrong time of year to remember those goddam resolutions.
posted by mule98J at 7:11 AM on January 18, 2016 [1 favorite]

Overnight viewership numbers show 10.2 million watched the debate, which I believe is second overall.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:35 PM on January 18, 2016

Presidential Candidates Ranked by Usefulness in a Bar Fight
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:06 PM on January 18, 2016 [4 favorites]

Presidential Candidates Ranked by Usefulness in a Bar Fight

John Kasich is your stealth weapon in a bar fight. He seems boring, like Rubio levels of boring, and then you find out he wants to do lunatic shit like create a government agency to beam Judeo-Christian values to other countries.

Kasich is the guy who shows up to the bar in business casual and turns out to be carrying a butterfly knife. He’s the guy who scares the piss out of everyone by wading into the deepest part of the fray while swinging double-fist thunderpunches and screaming an extemporaneous sermon.

Genius.
posted by triggerfinger at 8:53 PM on January 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

Democratic debates set to 'maximize' exposure, Wasserman Schultz claims, but evidence is dubious

There are six Democratic party debates compared with 11 scheduled for the Republicans, and half of the Democratic debates are on weekends -- including one the weekend before Christmas and another on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. If the Democrats had wanted to "maximize" opportunities for viewers, the party could have added more debates, scheduled them on weekdays and avoided holidays.

We rate this claim False.
posted by Drinky Die at 7:35 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]

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