Writes laws.

And yes, he spent quite a lot of time excoriating Republicans, explicitly, for impeding the economic future of the nation.

But why bother listening to speeches when you can comfortably sit back and make "big man" pronouncements of your own on the Internet. It's why he's president and you're not.

Case in point was just 2 weeks ago with the confrontation on the administrative nominations. That was the time to resolve the issue with the Circuit Court vacancies also. It wasn't 3 days after the Dems capitulated on the filibuster thing that the GOP said they will block all three of the nominees. I realize there are some "Democrats" in the Senate who probably were obstinate about that. But that's where a President has to be willing to bust some balls.

Fiery speeches with no real action are worse than no speeches at all because it becomes the "Boy who Cried 'Wolf' ".

(1) He said he was aware that Republicans were blocking any and all legislative action, and he called them out on it

(2) He said that, in the face of that, he would be taking every step possible through Executive action to implement the economic policies he was outlining. As you well know, those steps are limited in what can be done legally by that branch of government.

I call total bullshit on this "fiery speeches" crap. It's just a way to excoriate a president you dislike. When Congress refuses to legislate, all a president has is (a) a bully pulpit--which he just used, again; and (b) executive actions, which are fine but limited in their ability to produce change.

I just bet you love fiery speeches by people you like. Everybody loved Dennis Kucinich, who never accomplished a single thing during his decades as a representative. Elizabeth Warren also likes to put out fiery messages, but as yet hasn't influenced the passage of a bill (such as her amendment yesterday regarding the student loans).

There are no actions that Obama can take when the Republicans have vowed to obstruct his every priority. Except executive ones, which he has been doing steadily and religiously for the past 4 1/2 years, through the executive agencies such as EPA.

Lastly, you have no business criticizing a speech you didn't listen to.

I don't give a damn about the speeches. They mean nothing. I don't want any more empty speeches. The only thing that matters is actions. And every time there is a choice between bold action and conciliation, he has chosen conciliation.

anything I have said.

I'd say there's no point in discussing further, because there's no common world view between us.

I would be curious for you to name ONE "action" anyone in government has taken in the past 4 1/2 years.

It falls into the category of too-little-too-late, but it is a least a tiny example of what I am talking about.

I would put the stimulus plan on that list. Granted that came when Pelosi was in charge of the House. But Obama has not effectively used the tools and leverage that have been available to him.

We'll get yet another episode of the Great Capitulation Show in about 10 weeks when the GOP starts taking hostages again around the new budget and debt ceiling.

Capitulation may have worked OK for Barack Obama, but it has been devastating on programs that we Democrats have for for over 50 years. Worse, it it making it MORE DIFFICULT to elect a progressive to the White House in 2016. But that is of no concern to any of the Beltway Dems, because they are all essentially Republicans anyway. Hillary, Christie, Jeb? It is all about the same to the people in charge. As long as they have somebody who will slap down people like Elizabeth Warren, they are happy.

When he says goodbye!

BWAH!


Such a long wait.

But I survived Bush. I will survive Obama!

Considering that we might be greeting President Christie or President Jebbie.

What I want is for the President to fight for principles in such a visible way that the public can understand the principles at stake. The way Obama has been operating the past several years, it is getting increasingly hard for people to see any real difference between Republicans and Democrats.

Indeed, if he doesn't come with some backbone soon, our odds of winning in 2016 are not very good.

Yes, there are certainly differences between the party and, yes, Obama has done some great things.
But, overall, I don't either party has distanced themselves from the childish behavior that's on display in DC. It seems like no one - of any party - is working FOR the people. Rather they are working for the special interests and corporations.
Does it really matter, then, who I vote for because they are really just going to do what they want anyway, with no regards for the folks that need the help the most.