SOTU

I just couldn’t bring myself to watch Bush’s address last night. I simply didn’t have the stomach for it. But I did watch Jim Webb’s response and it was thing of beauty. He delivered and eloquent but simple speech covering two overarching themes: we need to quit screwing the little guy and let’s get the hell out of Iraq.

He kicked much ass; truly laying the wood to Bush. You owe it to yourself to see what leadership really sounds like. Here is a taste.

On the economy and growing economic disparity:
Regarding the economic imbalance in our country, I am reminded of the situation President Theodore Roosevelt faced in the early days of the 20th century. America was then, as now, drifting apart along class lines. The so-called robber barons were unapologetically raking in a huge percentage of the national wealth. The dispossessed workers at the bottom were threatening revolt.

Roosevelt spoke strongly against these divisions. He told his fellow Republicans that they must set themselves "as resolutely against improper corporate influence on the one hand as against demagogy and mob rule on the other." And he did something about it.

On the clusterfuck meat grinder that is Iraq:
As I look at Iraq, I recall the words of former general and soon-to-be President Dwight Eisenhower during the dark days of the Korean War, which had fallen into a bloody stalemate. "When comes the end?" asked the General who had commanded our forces in Europe during World War Two. And as soon as he became President, he brought the Korean War to an end.

These Presidents took the right kind of action, for the benefit of the American people and for the health of our relations around the world. Tonight we are calling on this President to take similar action, in both areas. If he does, we will join him. If he does not, we will be showing him the way. [Emphasis mine]

That, folks, is how you get it done. Bravo Senator. Take a bow.